The AGC Story

AGC was founded in 1907 by Toshiya Iwasaki, a son of the second president of the original Mitsubishi Corporation. Under him, it succeeded in the first Japanese production of sheet glass. His pioneering spirit, summarized in the basic principle "Never take the easy way out, but confront difficulties" was the driving force behind AGC overcoming a succession of difficult business challenges and the company's subsequent dynamic growth. Headquarters were moved to Tokyo in 1917.

1928 Splintex established in Gilly, Belgium, with a laminating plant for both automotive and architectural use. Tempering facilities were added in later years.

1947 AGC starts its activity for Transport and industrial vehicles markets (trains, trams, bus & cabs).

1956 Production of automotive glass begins in Japan.

1958 Japan: Started operations at Kawasaki plant

1965 Research center constructed in Yokohama, Japan.

1966 Manufacture of sheet glass using the float method began.

1970 Established Aichi plant in Japan.

1972 PT Asahimas Flat Glass Tbk established in Indonesia.

1972 Established Sagami plant in Japan.

1973 Splintex becomes the Automotive Division of Glaverbel.

1974 Capital investment in Thai Safety Glass (currently AGC Automotive Thailand) in Thailand.

1974 Capital investment in P.T. Asahimas Flat Glass in Indonesia.

1981 Capital investment in Glaverbel in Europe.

1984 Capital investment in Asahi India Glass in India.

1985 AP Technoglass Co. established in the United States (currently AGC Automotive Americas).

1986 Started operations at Ohio plant, AP Technoglass in the United States.

1988 Established RAGC (joint venture with RCC in Philippines (currently AGC Automotive Philippines).

1989 Started operations at Kentucky plant, AP Technoglass in the United States.

1990 Entered automotive glass business in Czech Republic.

1991 AGC invests in Splintex S.A. (AGC Automotive Europe) in Belgium.

1992 U.S. glassmaker AFG Industries, Inc. acquired.

1994 Started operations at Kitakyushu plant in Japan.

1995 Capital investment in QHSD（currently AGC Automotive China) in China.

1997 Capital investment in Bor Glassworks in Russia.

1998 Expanded business in France and Italy.

2002 Acquired 100％ share of Glaverbel in Europe.

2002 The AGC Group Vision “Look Beyond” formulated. The Global In-house Company System introduced. Corporate governance reforms implemented.

2004 Started operations of new plant at AGC Automotive China.

2005 Established AGC Automotive Hungary in Hungary.

2007 Group brand unified as “AGC”.

2007 Alstom beats the speed world record with AGC windscreen. AGC has the world's fastest rail windscreen at 574,8 km/h.

2008 Started operations at 2nd plant in China (currently AGC Automotive Foshan).

2009 Ceased automotive glass operations at Kitakyushu Plant in Japan.

2010 Production at world's largest float glass furnace started in Russia.

2012 AGC Fabritech and AGC Transportation (Respectively Japanese and European organization for para-automotive markets) join AGC Automotive which highlights the long-term strategic approach of AGC for Transport and Industrial vehicles markets.

2013 Started float glass plant operations in Brazil.

2014 Started automotive glass operations at AGC Brazil.

2014 Opening ceremony of AGC Automotive Mexico.

2015 “AGC plus” management policy implemented.

2015 AGC acquires NordGlass (Poland), active in Automotive Replacement Glass, Transport and Industrial Vehicle Glass.

2015 Started operations at 3rd plant in China (currently AGC Flat Glass, Suzhou).

2016 Started AGC Automotive glass operations in Mexico.

2018Changed the corporate name of Asahi Glass Company to AGC Inc.

2019Opening ceremony of AGC Automotive Glass Operations in Morocco

2019Opening ceremony of AGC anechoic chambers for on-glass antenna development (Belgium)

2020Light control glass, 'WONDERLITE ® Dx', made its worldwide debut.
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