History
Over 115 Years of Learning from Honeybees and FlowersAPI Co., Ltd. has always striven for health and happiness.
Over 110 Years of API's History
The history of API dates back to 1907 when two brothers who were textile wholesalers began manufacturing and selling beekeeping equipment. Our business has since grown from bee products to encompass health foods and pharmaceuticals, and no matter how far our technologies have advanced, our "customer-first" spirit is the same as ever.
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2022 NovemberMotosu Pharmaceutical Plant completed.
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AugustAPI Partners Ibi completed.
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2020 SeptemberAdded drug substances manufacturing equipment to the north wing of Honjo Plant.
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2019 OctoberIntroduced a hydrolyzer to Ibigawa Plant to develop functional food ingredients.
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2019 JulyAPI Quality & Logistics Center (API QLC) completed.
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2019 JuneCreated "Gifu University 70th Anniversary API Scholarship Grant Program" to support the development of human resources useful for local industries.
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2018 OctoberIkeda Plant acquires Gifu Prefecture's HACCP certification.
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2018 JuneIbigawa Plant and NextStage Plant acquire Gifu Prefecture's HACCP certification.
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2018 MarchMotosu Plant acquires Gifu Prefecture's HACCP certification.
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2017 DecemberSelected as a Driving Company for the Regional Future by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
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2017 OctoberUNIGEN Inc.'s manufacturing of bulk influenza vaccines for the US receives approval by the FDA in the US.
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2017 AugustHalal Certification (JAKIM) acquired.
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JanuaryUNIGEN Inc. becomes one of API group companies.
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2016 AprilApplication for "Jinko no Megumi" to be recognized as a "Food with Function Claims" is accepted.
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FebruaryRecognized as a company that provides excellent child-rearing support by Gifu Prefecture in 2015.
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2015 DecemberMizuho Techno Center renamed to "Mizuho Advanced Technology Center", enhancing the function as a development base for leading edge technology.
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AugustStarted operation of second phase facilities at Next Stage Plant.
- First introduction of Little PET Bottle production line in the industry
- Labor-saving soft capsule production line -
AugustLaunched a community recycling-based program supporting female researchers, in partnership with Gifu Univ., Gifu Pharmaceutical Univ., and Gifu Women's Univ.
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2014 OctoberWe recently opened Head Office Apikko Land, our second in-house childcare facility.
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SeptemberCompletion of NextStage (NS) plant construction.
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2013 AugustMizuho Techno Center opens.
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JuneWe enter into a joint business agreement on antibody biogenerics in the cancer domain based on the terms of a Memorandum of Intent with UMN Pharma Inc. and Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
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MayIkeda Bio Pharmaceutical Plant completed.
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2012 JuneIbigawa Plant acquires FSSC 22000 certification.
The Tokyo Branch office moves (new office: 3rd floor, Matsumoto Building, 14-15 Nihonbashiodenma-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).
We enter the biogeneric contract manufacturing business." -
AprilMotosu Plant acquires FSSC 22000 certification.
We succeed in developing a functional food that improves constipation in a contract development project from the Japan Science and Technology Agency. -
2011 DecemberIkeda Apikko Land, our in-house childcare facility, opened.
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JuneThe second quality center is established adjacent to the head office.
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2010 AugustDrug refinery construction completed.
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MayAPI (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. established.
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AprilWe received the active ingredients for the H5N1 avian influenza vaccine developed by pharmaceutical venture company UMN Pharma (Akita City) and concluded an agreement for contract manufacturing with UMN Pharma.
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2009 AugustIbigawa Plant receives dietary supplement GMP approval.
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2008 JulyAPI selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as one of the “300 Small to Medium Manufacturing Companies that will Support the Japan of Tomorrow”.
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2007 OctoberEvent held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of API's founding.
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SeptemberTakahiko Nonogaki named President. Takashi Nonogaki named Chairman.
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AugustPamphlet commemorating API's 100th anniversary published.
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FebruaryNew powder filling line launched at Ikeda Pharmaceutical Plant.
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2006 AugustThe Stay Balance RJ soft drink receives approval as a royal jelly food for specified health use.
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2005 OctoberIbigawa Plant completed.
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JulyIkeda Plant acquires dietary supplement GMP certification.
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MarchIkeda Pharmaceutical Plant operations begin.
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2004 JulySupplement Research Society founded, creating the country’s first collaborative industry-government-academia project.
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2003 OctoberComprehensive research center moved to the Nagaragawa Research Center to expand research and development activities.
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2002 JanuaryShinsei Plant (now the Motosu Plant) receives ISO 9001 certification.
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1999 JanuaryPropolis jelly type developed.
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1997 OctoberIkeda Plant completed.
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1996 AprilManufacturing approval obtained for Apipolle Capsules Pharmaceutical business launched.
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1995 AprilNew type of royal jelly drink developed to boost immunity.
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1994 DecemberLocal subsidiary established in Hong Kong.
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MarchFull entry into the area of dietary supplements.
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1992 AprilTechnological Development Laboratory created at the comprehensive research center to promote expansion of propolis products.
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1991 MarchGifu YOHO Co., Ltd changed to API Co., Ltd. The industry’s first independent comprehensive research center established.
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1989 AprilThe company’s own branded honey product lineup goes on sale.
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1988 SeptemberThe industry's first joint company with a Chinese firm, established.
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1987 AugustDeproteinized honey production line implemented.
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JanuaryTokyo Sales Office established as company activities expand.
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1986 FebruaryShinsei Plant (now the Motosu Plant) erected in Shinsei-cho, Gifu Prefecture.
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1985 FebruaryAPI Royal Co., Ltd. created to focus on sugar processing.
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1984 MarchHead Office built, Honjo Plant remodeled.
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1980 JuneWork begins on the production of royal jelly and pollen powders.
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1977 AugustAutomatic honey filler installed in refining plant.
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1976 AprilFully-automatic honey refining line installed in Honjo Plant.
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1975 AugustGifu Honey, Ltd. established to carry out honey refinement processing.
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1974 MayRoyal jelly production in China begins.
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1973 MayGifu Onyu Co., Ltd. established to specialize in the import of royal jelly.
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1968 NovemberNew ion-exchange resin method-based honey refinement equipment installed.
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1965 OctoberHoney refinement and bottling plant completed.
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1961 AprilRoyal jelly production guidance provided in Taiwan.
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1958 MarchWork begins on royal jelly production.
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1928 July20,000 swarms of Western-species bees exported to China.
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1925 MarchPortions of leased buildings converted into comb foundation plants.
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FebruaryCatalog retail services launched, focusing primarily on apiculture equipment.
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1924 DecemberIndependent branch established in Gifu to form Gifu YOHO, Ltd.
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1922 OctoberProduction apiculture for flowering season transfer begins, blazing the trail for modern apiculture.
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1907 FebruaryApiculture business started by Ryozo Nonogaki and his older brother.