About Us YEC History

With the Automotive Industry

Yamaguchi Electric Industry Co. Ltd. (YEC) was established in 1946 and has grown alongside the automotive industry. Since the beginning, YEC has been manufacturing switches and other parts for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles, and in 1963 we developed the world’s first vehicle backup alarm. That model, designated “BA1,” gave birth to the entire backup alarm industry, which brought about a drastic improvement in vehicle reversal safety and continues to play an important role to this day. Early on, YEC launched overseas exports and expanded into the after-sales service market for Japanese vehicles the world over, supplying ignition parts and a wide variety of other products. We at YEC are proud of our long history and promising future as a key part of the auto industry, helping to keep the roads safe for vehicles and for people.

1946

September 1946

Founder Matsusaburo Yamaguchi established in Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Yamaguchi Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (YEC) established

1948

April 1948

YEC distributor arm recognized as outstanding component by Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)

September 1952 handlebar switches

1952

September 1952

YEC handlebar switches adopted by all Japanese motorcycle manufacturers

Old Ikejiri Factory Completed in March, Showa 31st.

1956

March 1956

Head office relocated to Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

1960

August 1960

Product exports begun

First vehicle backup alarm released

1963

April 1963

Began production of back-up alarms for automobiles.

1970

May 1970

Akita Plant completed, operations commence

1976

August 1976

Plant receives MITI electric parts manufacturing accreditation

November 1976

YEC product receives designation as recommended product and recognition as a superior product from Japan Automotive Products Association (JAPA)

February 1979 Head Office building completed

1979

February 1979

Head office building completed in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

1980

May 1980

Anechoic chamber completed at Akita Plant

1984

October 1984

Founder Matsusaburo Yamaguchi assumes post of Chairman Tetsuo Yamaguchi assumes post of President

February 1986 Total renovation of Akita Plant completed

1986

February 1986

Total renovation of Akita Plant completed

1993

June 1993

YEC H.K. Ltd. established

1994

May 1994

China Plant begins operations in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

1996

March 1996

ISO 9001 certification obtained

2001

December 2001

Expansion of Akita Plant completed

2003

February 2003

China Plant moved to larger premises

2003

December 2004

ISO 14001 certification obtained

2005

March 2005

YAICO established

December 2005

Molding division added to YEC H.K. China Plant

2008

July 2008

Automotive ignition coil (direct type) released

2011

April 2011

Dongguan Yamaguchi Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. Established

2012

January 2012

China Business Reorganization
Consolidation of production operations to Dongguan Yamaguchi Industry Co.
Began die production business at Dongguan Yamaguchi Automotive Parts Co.
Established Yamaguchi Electric Hong Kong Ltd. as a trading office.

2015

April, 2015

Announced "FLAMMA" overseas aftermarket brand

2017

February, 2017

Akita Plant No. 2 is established in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, and begins operations.

2018

October 2018

Tetsuo Yamaguchi assumes post of Chairman Kenji Yamaguchi assumes post of President

2024

October 2024

Dungguan Yamaguchi Industrial Co., Ltd. Dongguan Yamaguchi Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.
Factory relocated and operations started in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China