The Hokushin logoHOMAC series electronic control systemAutopilot system, a mainstay Hokushin product49Yokogawa 100th AnniversaryHokushin Electric Works was established by Souhei Shimizu at Azabu, Tokyo in April 1919 to manufacture industrial meters. “Hokushin” is the Chinese name for the North Star, which has guided travelers since ancient times. Confucius said, “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the North Star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.” Souhei Shimizu named his company after these words of wisdom, hoping that the company would become a leader of Japanese industry.Hokushin started its business by manufacturing thermometers. After moving its headquarters and factory to Shimomaruko, Tokyo, the company manufactured devices for marine vessels and aircraft. During World War II, the company produced 70% of all aircraft instruments for the Japanese army and navy and its compass was installed in most key warships. Hokushin thus became one of the major instrument makers in Japan.However, it lost 85% of manufacturing facilities during air raids and military demand vanished when the war ended. Hokushin made a fresh start focusing on industrial meters, and then resumed manufacturing marine navigation and aircraft instruments. Through tie-ups with Western companies, Hokushin accumulated sophisticated technologies and gradually became competitive. The company made a success in the electronics eld with the HOC series (Japan’s rst calculator for the process industry) and Japan’s rst direct digital control system. With products such as a large-bore electromagnetic owmeter and various automation devices for marine vessels and aircraft, Hokushin became a well-known name in the industry. At the time of the merger with Yokogawa, Hokushin was the third-largest measurement and control company in Japan, after Yokogawa and Yamatake-Honeywell (currently, Azbil), with 2,200 employees and sales of 38.9 billion yen (in scal year 1981).The sales breakdown was as follows.Industrial instruments:74.6% (HOC series, 900/TX series microprocessor-based instrumentation system, HOMAC and EK series electronic control system, recorders, transmitters, electromagnetic owmeters, thermometers)Aircraft instruments: 8.3% (air inlet controllers, ight directors)Marine navigation devices: 13.4% (satellite navigation systems, gyrocompasses, autopilot systems)Other: 3.7% (information systems)The merger of Yokogawa and Hokushin created a major measurement and control company that was the world's third largest manufacturer of industrial instruments.The History of Hokushin Electric WorksColumn
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