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Company Information
History of the Company 2000~
Launched “Roots”, a brand product released jointly with JT.
Released “Region specific Drip on”.
ISO 14001 certification acquired for the company as a whole.
Acquired JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) certification for organic produce and processed products.
Completed headquarters.
Hirokazu Shibata, Honorary Chairman, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Ray with Rosette.
Yutaka Shibata was appointed as president and representative director.
Released “Drip on large size”.
Introduced a new logistic system in all KEY COFFEE business establishments.
Kyoei Corporation became subsidiary.
Key Coffee Service Co., Ltd. became Key Coffee Communications Inc.
Key Shokai Co., Ltd. became Key Associates Co., Ltd.
Nic Foods Industrial Co., Ltd. became subsidiary (presently Nic Foods Co., Ltd.).
Released “Liquid coffee tetraprisma” 1000ml .
Released “VP designated plantation coffee” 250g.
Released “Drip on variety packs” (10P).
Italian Tomato Co., Ltd. became subsidiary.
Released the product, Aroma Flash, which seals in the aroma of freshly ground beans.
Released Hyo-On Jukusei Coffee.
Opened the first KEY’S CAFÉ.
Released “YOKOHAMA CLASSIC” to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the company’s founding.
Acquired a part of businesses of Crystal Coffee Co., Ltd.
Started to sell illycaffè’s espresso system, Iperespresso, in Japan.
Four factories nationwide acquired FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000).
ALMOND CO., LTD. became a subsidiary.
Capital and business alliance was established with GINZA RENOIR Co., Ltd.
honu KATO COFFEE Inc. became a subsidiary.
Released the innovative extraction device called KEY Crystal Dripper.
Started to sell illycaffè’s coffee products in Japan.
Keiji Ohta, Former President, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Started joint research with World Coffee Research, which is worldwide coffee researchinstitute.
Started the IMLVT project (International Multi Location VarietyTrial), aiming to produce a sustainable coffee in Padamaran plantation.
Released “Noi” series, a lineup of tools for easily brewing coffee at home.
Started to sell tea brand, Lipton in Japan home market.
Developed “KEY COLD CREMA DISPENSER”, a system that easily allowed to brew a creamy and smooth ice coffee, called “COLD CREMA”.
Developed the “QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM”, which is a new item tool for visualizing the brewing technique of professionals .
Opened “Craft Share Roastery Jomae-ya COFFEE”, a coffee shop with “self-roasting”.
Developed Key Post-Harvest Processing, the world’s first technique of careful selection, which brought out after-ripening by maturing coffee cherries in freezing temperature.
Released “Coffee bag MAINICHI CAFÉ” right inside a hot coffee made by dropping the bag inside a thermos bottle.
Released “SINCE” series.
Supporting the preservation of the so called “Hundred Years Coffee Tree“, a centennial tree at the former site of a coffee plantation in Taitung County, Taiwan.
Launched “Special Blend” and “Mocha Blend” cans in a limited quantity – and in a special edition – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding.
Launched “Cafe au Lait Base” for celebrating the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding.
Launched the coffee liqueur “HANEIKEN” to usher the beginning of a new century.
Launched “DEPARTURE” for celebrating the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding.
Launched the “KEY COFFEE Online Seminar” as expression of 100 years of expertise in coffee making.
Established “KEY COFFEE Clé Rouge Fund” for the future of coffee and the realization of a sustainable society.
Launched the single origin coffee “Taiwan PINGTUNG Coffee”
Launched a new simple-brew coffee “Jet Brew”, a 10-second brew coffee whose concept is: “Quick and easy, yet authentic”.
Started “KEY COFFEE LIVE SEMINAR” (live streaming), by professional instructors.
Released the start-up movie “Coffee named Passion”, as expression of a company aiming for its second centenary.
Signed a basic agreement with Inoda Coffee, a long established coffee shop in Kyoto, and launched its home-use products.
Set up the “JUN-KISSA JOURNEY” website about comprehensive information of JUN-KISSA.
Launched “DRIP ON® Winter Limited Toarco Toraja” .
Launched the miniature figure of “KEY COFFEE’s Billboard”.
Set up a new department “THE FUTURE OF COFFEE” for preserving the future of coffee.
Listed on the “Prime Market” of Tokyo Stock Exchange.
We have launched a new department, “Coffee Future Department”, with the hope that you will enjoy different varieties of coffee.
Signed an exclusive domestic sales agency agreement for “TAZO Chai Tea Latte Base” and began handling the brand’s products.
Napoleon pie specialty shop “Almond Tokyo” opens.
Launch of Lion Coffee brand, Hawaii’s most popular flavoured coffee.
Rebranding of best seller “PREMIUM STAGE” (regular coffee) to the new brand “KEY DOORS+“.
