TDK was founded in 1935 to bring to market the world’s first magnetic material: ferrite. TDK’s founder created something of great value to the world that had not existed before. He believed strongly in the potential of ferrite and built a venture business with origins at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, even as the new material’s wide-ranging uses were yet to be discovered.

TDK has refined its craftsmanship in manufacturing—Monozukuri— by making excellent use of five core technologies: materials technology that starts with ferrite; process technology to access all of a material's properties; evaluation and simulation technology; production technology; and product design technology. These assets have allowed TDK to continuously innovate unique products of demonstrated value which have helped to advance societal and technological progress. Today, TDK offers its excellence in manufacturing across a range of product groups which include capacitors, inductors, transformers, sensors, actuators, magnetic heads, magnets, power supplies, batteries, and many types of electronic components and electronic devices.

With the arrival of a highly advanced “smart society” utilizing IoT, AI, big data, robotics and other technology, we are seeing the beginnings of a transformation in digital technology and energy. Electronic components and devices will play an even more important role in making these new systems a reality. Focused on our priority markets in automotive, information and communication technology (ICT) and industrial and energy, TDK will contribute to the lives of individuals and society as a whole.

Today, TDK does business in more than 30 countries and regions around the world, with over 200 manufacturing, R&D and sales sites and nearly 105,000 employees. Approximately 90% of our employees are located outside of Japan, and the diversity of our workforce, who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, is one of our major strengths.

As stated in our corporate motto, “Contribute to culture and industry through creativity,” our commitment to benefiting the world and contributing to society continues to be passed down as part of our corporate DNA. As part of that, we are actively engaged in efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. TDK will aim for further growth through creativity and innovation, supporting the coming digital and energy transformation that will contribute to society’s sustainable development.