Our History

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For over 100 years, the successful brands that are part of LIXIL have combined the best of the past with a vision for the future.

LIXIL was born in 2011 through a merger of five of Japan's most successful building materials and housing companies, TOSTEM, INAX, Shin Nikkei, Sunwave, and TOEX. From the early 20th century, the founding fathers of our legacy companies ushered in an era of innovation and laid down the principles that would make LIXIL one of the most respected names in the Japanese building and housing industry. The global brands that are now a part of LIXIL also share a heritage of innovation that dates back to the 19th century.

1875 - 1949OPEN or CLOSE

  • 1875

    Standard Manufacturing, the predecessor of American Standard, is founded to produce cast-iron water closets, washstands and bathtubs.

  • 1919

    The founder of INAX provides technology advice on the production of exterior tiles for the Imperial Hotel building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

    Previous main wing of Imperial Hotel

    Previous main wing of Imperial Hotel

  • 1923

    Takejiro Ushioda sets up the Myokenya store, the predecessor of Tostem Corporation, to launch a wooden fittings retail business.

  • 1924

    Ina Seito Co., Ltd., the predecessor of INAX, is founded by Chozaburo Ina to manufacture tiles, earthenware pipes and terracotta.

  • 1936

    Chugai Seiko Co., Ltd., the predecessor of SUNWAVE CORPORATION, is founded by Ryozo Yoshizaki.

  • 1936

    GROHE is founded by Friedrich Grohe, acquiring Berkenhoff & Paschedag.

  • 1945

    INAX launches production of ceramic sanitary ware.

  • 1949

    Nihon Tategu Kogyo Co., Ltd. (later Tostem Corporation; currently LIXIL Corporation) is founded by Kenjiro Ushioda.

1956 - 1988OPEN or CLOSE

  • 1956

    SUNWAVE develops Japan's first mass production technology for high-quality, low-priced stainless steel sinks.

    low-priced stainless steel sinks

  • 1958

    INAX launches production of FRP bathtubs.

    FRP bathtubs

  • 1960

    American Standard launches a new-type (push-pull) faucet.

  • 1967

    INAX launches the first made-in-Japan shower toilet.

    made-in-Japan shower toilet

  • 1968

    Tostem and Shin Nikkei undertake Japan's first super high-rise curtain wall project for the Kasumigaseki Building.

  • 1971

    Tostem launches a new aluminum window sash designed to prevent rainwater seepage and allow easier cleaning.

  • 1974

    Toyo Exterior Co., Ltd. is established.

  • 1984

    Shin Nikkei Co., Ltd. is established.

  • 1988

    TOEX launches Japan's first full-open/full-close glass-paneled "garden room."

    garden room
2001 - 2010OPEN or CLOSE

  • 2001

    INAX Corporation and TOSTEM Corporation merged their operations and established Tostem Inax Holding Corporation (currently LIXIL Corporation) as a holding company.

  • 2001

    INAX launches tankless flush toilets.

    tankless flush toilet

  • 2004

    Tostem Inax Holding Corporation is renamed JS Group Corporation.

  • 2005

    SUNWAVE's kitchen systems receive a Red Dot Design Award.

    SUNWAVE's kitchen systems

  • 2007

    INAX and Tostem develop a bathroom drainage system designed to significantly increase cleaning functionality.

    bathroom drainage system

  • 2009

    American Standard Asia Pacific becomes a subsidiary of Inax Corporation.

  • 2010

    SUNWAVE CORPORATION and Shin Nikkei Co., Ltd. become subsidiaries.

  • 2010

    TOSTEM launches a window featuring significantly increased heat insulation due to expansion of the double-glazed area.

2011 - PresentOPEN or CLOSE

  • 2011

    Tostem, INAX, Shin Nikkei, SUNWAVE and Toyo Exterior are integrated to establish LIXIL Corporation.

  • 2013

    American Standard Brands in the US becomes a subsidiary of LIXIL Corporation.

  • 2014

    GROHE Group S.A.R.L. becomes an equity-method affiliated company of LIXIL Corporation.

  • 2015

    LIXIL Corporation converts GROHE Group S.a.r.l. into a consolidated subsidiary.

  • 2020

    LIXIL Group Corporation merged with its wholly owned subsidiary LIXIL Corporation to form an operating company.

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