In Sakai City, Japan, March 1921, Shozaburo Shimano founded the company that bore his name. Fast-forward one hundred years and today Shimano employs over 11,000 people at 50 manufacturing, research, sales and marketing companies across the world and is still predominantly a family-owned company.
How did that happen? Between 1921 to 2021 Shimano created a number of products that left a lasting legacy on the cycling industry.
Starting with the 3.3.3. freewheel and moving onto innovations such as 3-speed hubs, indexed gearing, Dual Control levers, Hyperglide cassettes, Di2 shifting and SPD pedals, these technologies became ubiquitous in the cycling industry, as well as becoming synonymous with best-in-class products.
We are incredibly proud and passionate about the products we’ve created – not to mention humbled by the passion its customers have for our technologies – and to commemorate the achievement, we’re shining a light on some of the highlights via a new website and a limited edition book, 100 Works.
Only 2000 of the books will be produced and they can only be purchased via pre-registration and a lottery selection. The contents of the commemorative photobook provide the historical background to some of Shimano’s most ground-breaking products.
The Shimano 100 Works commemorative photobook contains 264 pages (333mm × 265mm × 30mm). Registration for the lottery can be made via www.shimano.com/en/100th/.
Shimano fans can also delve into the technologies and backstories of many of their favourite products via the new www.shimano.com/en/100th/ website. A real treasure trove for anyone with an interest in cycling components.
During such a momentous year we will of course present further exciting moments later this year. We look forward to engaging with our customers and celebrating the positivity of cycling at shows and events in the near-future.