More than 140 years of progress in Japan
Since its inception, DKSH Japan's development has been closely connected with the history of Japan. Hermann Siber and Caspar Brennwald founded their trading company in Yokohama in 1865, when they were young men in their twenties. Their company seat, Yokohama Ko 90-ban Kan (conveniently named after its address), soon established itself at the heart of Japan's silk trading activities.
The company later went on to help set up the gas light system for Yokohama and Ginza, and also began to import watches and machinery from leading Swiss manufacturers. It was renamed Siber Hegner & Co. in 1910 and its reputation as a trading company grew rapidly despite the inevitable setbacks: a warehouse fire, several wars, and the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The company's survival is indeed testimony to its resilience and adaptability.
The firm entered a new era in 1932, when the company's headquarters were moved from Yokohama to Zurich, Switzerland. SiberHegner Holding Ltd. continued to grow, opening branches throughout the world and becoming an important player in key markets. In 1965, on the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary, it was formally incorporated in Japan as Nihon SiberHegner K.K. After becoming part of DKSH Group in 2002, the company changed its name to DKSH Japan K.K. in April 2009.
On May 28, the industry and trade delegation from the Swiss Government officially arrives in Edo aboard the Dutch steamship Medusa. 24 year old merchant Caspar Brennwald accompanies the mission.
1865
In a letter from London dated November 28, the establishment of Siber & Brennwald in Yokohama is announced, with capital of GBP 10,000. Brennwald names Hermann Siber as his partner.
1866
Caspar Brennwald is appointed Swiss Consul in Japan and granted the right to own land by the Emperor.
1872-1874
The firm helps setting up Japan's first gas light system for Yokohama and Ginza, in cooperation with merchant Kaemon Takashima.
1888
Robert Hegner von Juwalta, nephew of firm founder Hermann Siber, joins the management of Siber & Brennwald. Siber & Brennwald is named in contemporary accounts as a vendor of watches to Ginza Tenshodo.
1900
The firm's name is changed to Siber, Wolff & Co.
1903
The firm receives an award from Baron Masanao Matsudaira, President of Dai Nihon Silk Yarn Industry, for its achievements in Japan's silk yarn industry.
196-1921
The firm's name changes to Siber Hegner & Co. in 1910. Branches are opened in Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo and Shanghai.
1923
The Great Kanto Earthquake devastates the firm's Yokohama headquarters, with total damage estimated at more than CHF 10 million.
1932
The firm is re-organized as a stock company. The headquarters are moved to Zurich, Switzerland.
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1-1945
Asian trade comes to a standstill during World War II. SiberHegner managers in China and Japan act as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In Japan, the ICRC's headquarter is located in the main SiberHegner office from 1944 to 1994.
1964
SiberHegner Holding Ltd. is established in Zurich. The group is restructured, with branches in the Far East region becoming independent corporations over the next year.
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5
On the firm's 100th anniversary, Nihon SiberHegner K.K. is established as a Japanese corporation.
1974
SiberHegner Holding Ltd.'s capitalization is increased to CHF 10 milion and simultaneously stock options are granted to all employees in the Group.
1992
The Isogo Service Building is completed. Condirama Japan, the Food Application Laboratory and the Quality Control Laboratory are established.
1993
Nihon SiberHegner headquarters move to Mita in Tokyo. A Distribution Center opens in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture.
2002
SiberHegner Holding Ltd. merges with Diethelm Keller Services Asia Ltd on June 19, forming DKSH Holding Ltd.
2008
On October 1, Nihon SiberHegner K.K. merges with Desco Luxury (Japan) Ltd. All operations are taken over and continued by Nihon SiberHegner K.K.
2009
On April 1, the company name changes to DKSH Japan K.K. On May 1, DKSH Japan K.K. takes over all business operations from Michael Weinig (Japan) Ltd.
Kick-off of Brennwald Diary (1862-1876) translation project
04.04.2008 - We undertake translating the entire diary (548 pages, 16 year span) of company co-founder Caspar Brennwald with the cooperation of the Yokohama Archives of History.