1958 - 2010
Nov.1958
Head Factory founded in Nakahiromachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima. Kiyoshi Nobori appointed as president
Feb.1959
First Molten sports ball manufactured
Apr.1959
Manufacture of automotive rubber parts commenced
Jun.1960
Basketball approved by Japan Basketball Association
Jul.1960
Volleyball approved by Japan Volleyball Association
Oct.1962
Handball approved by Japan Handball Association
Feb.1965
Hideo Masuda appointed as president
Jun.1969
Volleyball approved as 'Official Ball' by International Volleyball Federation (IVBF)
Apr.1973
Basketball approved as 'Official Ball' by International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
Jun.1973
Football approved as 'Official Ball' by International Football Association (FIFA)
Apr.1974
Manufacture of anti-vibration rubber for bridge prop commenced
May.1975
Handball approved as 'Official Ball' by International Handball Federation (IHF)
Oct.1976
Hideo Masuda appointed as chairperson, Fumiya Tamiaki appointed as president
May.1979
License contract concluded with Adidas regarding Tango footballs
Dec.1980
Basketball selected as the official ball of the 1982 FIBA Men's Basketball World Championship in Columbia
Nov.1981
Basketball selected as the official ball of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
May.1982
Representative office opened in Dusseldorf, West Germany
Aug.1982
Football approved as 'Inspected Ball' by Japan Football Association
Oct.1983
Company name changed to "Molten Corporation"
Dec.1986
Trade agreement concluded with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
May.1988
Trade agreement concluded with Isuzu Motors Limited
Jan.1989
MOLTEN (THAILAND) CO., LTD. established
Apr.1990
MOLTEN U.S.A. INC. established
Dec.1990
MOLTEN (NORTH AMERICA) CORP. established
Mar.1991
Production commenced at Hofu Factory
Apr.1991
Sale of the "Marinx" floating pier
Sep.1991
Molten Europe established
Oct.1991
Sale of "Hanayuragi" pressure ulcer prevention air mattress
Nov.1991
Exclusive contract with Japan Professional Soccer League (J-League) as the official tournament ball
Aug.1994
MOLTEN ASIA POLYMER PRODUCTS CO., LTD. established in Thailand
Jul.1998
Basketball selected as the exclusive official ball of the FIBA Basketball World Championships
Apr.2001
President Fumiya Tamiaki awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor by the Government of Japan
Aug.2001
President Fumiya Tamiaki awarded the FIBA Order of Merit
Jun.2002
Healthcare Products Division established; becomes a three divisional system
Apr.2003
MOLTEN JIAXING CO., LTD. established in China
Dec.2004
Sale of an innovative 12-panel basketball (G model)
Sale of new innovative football/soccer ball featuring ACENTECR Technology
Dec.2005
Production of waterproof sheets commenced at Molten Laminas
Jan.2008
Sale of the "Grande" high-function, advanced air mattress
Jun.2008
Sale of the "Impress" advanced electric reclining bed for nursing care
Feb.2009
Molten Medical obtains ISO13485
Apr.2009
Awarded the "General Excellence Award" for three consecutive years from Sumitomo Wiring Systems
Oct.2009
Sale of the "Valkeen" innovative whistle for football/ soccer referees (Exclusive official equipment for J-League in 2010)
Dec.2009
Sale of the "Peach" highly durable, body pressure dispersion cushion
Jul.2010
Awarded the "Quality Merit Award" for three consecutive years from Yazaki Corporation
Aug.2010
Kiyo Tamiaki appointed as the fourth president
Dec.2010
Sale of the "Stagia" air mattress
2011 - onward
Apr.2011
Awarded the "Quality Excellence Award" for four consecutive years from Sumitomo Wiring Systems
Jul.2011
Awarded the “Quality Contribution Award” from Yazaki Corporation
Sep.2011
Sale of the “Roots” floor-mounted hand rail series
Jan.2012
Sale of the “Laser Liner” line marker series
Mar.2012
Awarded the “VE Activities Contribution Award" from Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
Apr.2012
Awarded the “Delivery Excellence Award” from Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
May.2012
Sale of the “Digitimer 110X” digital scoreboard
Nov.2012
Molten Vietnam Co., Ltd. established
Sale of the “Oscar” high-functionality body pressure dispersion air mattress series
Mar.2013
Awarded the “Transaction Achievement Excellence Award” and “VE/VA Multiple Items Award” from Mazda Motor Corporation for 3 consecutive years and 2 consecutive years, respectively
May.2013
Molten Automotive de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. established
Jan.2014
Signed and implemented a contract to be the official ball supplier to the International Handball Federation
Aug.2014
Provided the official game balls for 9 consecutive FIBA Basketball World Cups
Sep.2014
Added on a third plant to the Molten Asia Polymer Products facilities and launched mass production
Oct.2014
Sale of the “Life” adjustable hardness base mattress series
Nov.2015
Adopted “Moving with Possibilities” as the corporate brand statement
Jan.2016
Sale of the “Leios” robotic mattress series
Jan.2017
Provided the official game balls for 2 consecutive Handball World Championships
Oct.2017
Signed a contract to be the official match ball supplier of the UEFA Europa League
Mar.2018
Awarded the “Transaction Achievement Excellence Award” from Mazda Motor Corporation for 4 consecutive years
May.2018
Sales of the “Tellsa call” standard mattress
Oct. 2018
Started Basketball new business “B+”
Mar. 2019
Awarded the “Transaction Achievement Excellence Award” from Mazda Motor Corporation for 5 consecutive years
Mar. 2019
Launched BG5000 basketball with improved operational performance and natural leather texture
Apr. 2019
Launched wheelchair “Wheeliy” for handicapped
May. 2019
Molten signed a technical partner agreement with Hiroshima Mazda Racing Team
Mar. 2020
Awarded the "Transaction Achievement Excellence Award" from Mazda Motor Corporation for 6 consecutive years
Sep. 2020
Launched B+ "Shooting Machine"
Oct. 2020
Floating Pier / Construction Products Division established; becomes a four divisional system
Jan. 2021
Release of the self-assembled football “MY FOOTBALL KIT”
Mar. 2021
Awarded the "Transaction Achievement Excellence Award" from Mazda Motor Corporation for 7 consecutive years
May. 2022
Launch of “Wheeliy2.0”, which makes those sitting down and pushing it feel lighter
Nov. 2023
Completion of the Technical Center molten[the Box]