Product news: Hardly any other company has had such a decisive influence on the development of the bicycle as the Japanese component manufacturer Shimano. The company was founded in 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano in Sakai City. In the now 100-year company history, the brand has developed a large number of products that have become indispensable in everyday cycling.
When the 26-year-old Shozaburo Shimano laid the foundation for his company in Sakai City/Japan in 1921, he would hardly have dared to think that exactly this company would develop into one of the world's most respected manufacturers in the bicycle sector. From the founding of the company to today, Shimano has created a whole range of products that have secured a permanent place in the history of bicycle technology. Production began in 1922 with freewheel sprockets and at that time already represented a masterpiece in technical production. In the 1950s, Shimano started manufacturing gears. Innovations such as three-speed hubs, indexed shifting systems, dual control shift/brake levers, Hyperglide cassettes and electronic Di2 shifting systems followed. However, Shimano not only put the competition under pressure with gears and brakes, but also with cranks, pedals and the development of the SPD shoe-pedal system, which still defines the standard today.
Today the company employs more than 11.000 people in a total of 50 consolidated manufacturing, research, sales and marketing offices around the world. Despite the gigantic proportions, Shimano is still predominantly family-owned and is managed by Shimano President Yozo Shimano. To celebrate what has been achieved, the Japanese brand is once again putting some of the highlights from the last 100 years in the limelight with a new website and a very limited photo book. There will only be 100 copies of the "SHIMANO 2.000 WORKS" photo book, which will be distributed to selected recipients and through a raffle. Those interested in cycling and fans can register at www.shimano.com/en/100th/ register for the raffle. We keep our fingers crossed!
Web: www.shimano.com
Photos (c) Shimano / Paul Lange & Co. OHG