Where does the Name Hikoki come from?
Hitachi, formerly known as Koki Holdings America, underwent a rebranding in October 2018 as part of its separation from the Hitachi group. Despite the name change, the company maintains its commitment to a legacy of over 70 years in engineering, particularly excelling in pneumatic nailers and sliding compound miter saws.
Hitachi’s Time and resources have always been dedicated to research and development of innovative and durable power tools. Such dedication to product development has led to a number of firsts and countless improvements in power tool technology including:
- Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- Cordless Impact Driver
- Collated Automatic Screw Driver
- Pneumatic Concrete Nailer
- Cordless Screw Driver
- Metal Stud Cutter
- Portable Rebar Cutter/Bender
- 10 minute rapid charger
- 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 Ah Ni-Cad batteries
- 3.0 Ni-MH batteries
- Triple Hammer Impact Driver with a 3-anvil system
- Cordless Nailers utilizing air spring drive technology
- Use of rare earth magnet motors in cordless tools
Throughout its history, Hitachi has dedicated time and resources to research and development, resulting in numerous innovations in power tool technology. Some notable achievements include the introduction of the sliding compound miter saw, cordless impact driver, collated automatic screwdriver, pneumatic concrete nailer, cordless screwdriver, metal stud cutter, portable rebar cutter/bender, 10-minute rapid charger, various battery technologies, triple hammer impact driver with a 3-anvil system, and cordless nailers employing air spring drive technology.
The company's expertise lies in high-speed motor technology, precision processing, and electronic control, enabling the production of lighter, faster, and more durable power tools for professionals. In 2017, Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., Metabo HPT's parent company in Japan, formed a partnership with global investment firm KKR, leading to the brand transition in North America.
Hitachi now Metabo HPT's latest innovation is the MultiVolt platform, launched to revolutionize job sites. This technology allows users to switch between cordless and corded functionality with a 36V 4.0Ah battery or an AC adapter, providing versatility without compromising power. The 36V battery is also backward compatible, offering 8.0Ah of runtime in the Metabo HPT 18V cordless platform, including the cordless nailer line.
Despite the rebranding, Hitachi assures customers of continuity in product performance, warranties, and user experience. The brand continues to focus on addressing end-users' applications and challenges, with an expanding range of tools on the MultiVolt platform.
Metabo HPT operates as a brand within Koki Holdings America Ltd, the North American subsidiary of Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan. The parent company manufactures over 1000 power tool models, emphasizing compact/high-output motor technology and holding ISO 9000 series and ISO 14001 certifications for quality assurance and environmentally sound management.
The timeline of Metabo HPT's evolution includes key milestones such as its founding in 1948 as Hitachi Koki, the introduction of cordless drills in 1979, and the acquisition of Metabo Aktiengesellschaft in 2016. Notable product launches, partnerships, and certifications underscore the company's commitment to innovation and quality. The culmination of this journey is marked by the 2018 rebranding to Koki Holdings America Ltd and the introduction of the groundbreaking MultiVolt platform.
In April 2017, Their parent company in Japan, Koki Holdings Co, Ltd., partnered with KKR, a leading global investment firm as they saw tremendous potential in our future. Moving onward, they transitioned to Metabo HPT in North America with unlimited possibilities. Same tools, new name- that's all. They represent the same people, the same look, the same performance, the same warranties, the same feel and the same experience provided to the user. They are the leading pneumatic brand in North America and as Hitachi changes their name to Metabo HPT they are launching technology that changes how power tools will be used on the job site.
Metabo HPT continue a legacy of innovation with the launch of MultiVolt; a revolutionary innovation that is changing job sites as we know it. MultiVolt allows the end-user to have one tool that can be used as both a cordless or corded tool- you decide. It can be cordless with the 36V 4.0Ah battery or plug into a power source with the award-winning AC Adapter where the application supports being plugged in. The technology allows the tool to deliver the same power no matter if used cordless or corded. The 36V battery is also backwards compatible delivering 8.0Ah of run time in our Metabo HPT 18V cordless platform including the popular cordless nailer line. Metabo HPT's focus is dedicated to the end users' application and providing solutions to their challenges. This versatility and choice of power supply will continue to expand as more tools are launched on the MultiVolt platform.
Metabo HPT is a brand within Koki Holdings America Ltd, which is the North American subsidiary of Koki Holdings Co, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Koki Holdings Co. Ltd manufactures more than 1000 models of power tools, focusing on compact/high out-put motor technology.
The company has obtained recognition under the ISO 9000 series international standards for quality assurance. Koki Holdings also received ISO 14001 certification for environmentally sound management.
Timeline
- 1948 Hitachi Koki now Hikoki in Australia and New Zealand ( HI-KOKI) founded as a manufacturer of coal mining machinery and equipment, and electric power tools
- 1957 Production of electric power tools reaches 1 million units
- 1960 Manufacturing of pneumatic tools started
- 1968 Production of electric power tools exceeds 5 million units
- 1973 Began export operations of electric power tools to the US
- 1974 Total cumulative power tool production surpasses 10 million units
- 1979 Cordless drills introduced to the market
- 1980 Hitachi Power Tools USA founded
- 1982 DV20VA –type microprocessor- controlled impact drill, the world’s first electric power tool equipped with a microprocessor, shipped
- 1985 Production of power tools surpasses 30 million units
- 1995 Hitachi Power Tools USA was renamed to Hitachi Koki USA Ltd., to denote the addition of manufacturing to the United States
- 1995 Electric Power Tools Division Awarded ISO 9002 certification
- 1997 Hitachi Koki Canada Co. started
- 1999 Implemented simulation design technology, which uses a 3-D CAD system to digitally engineer tools in advance in order to test and improve the tools before production begins
- 2007 Hitachi Koki acquires Nikko Tanaka Engineering and offers Tanaka outdoor power equipment in North America
- 2016 Hitachi Koki Co, Ltd., acquires Metabo Aktiengesellschaft (Metabo)
- 2016 Triple Hammer Impact Driver featuring a unique 3-anvil system introduced to the market that significantly increased torque and speed, while decreasing the size and weight of the tool
- 2017 Cordless Nailers utilizing our unique Air Spring Drive technology launched that delivered similar performance as pneumatic nailers so the end user could experience total freedom and flexibility around the job site without the need for hoses or compressors
- 2017 Leading global investment firm, KKR partnered with our parent company, formerly Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd., now Koki Holdings Co., Ltd. As we were no longer a part of Hitachi Ltd., our name change process began
- 2018 Renamed to Koki Holdings America Ltd in North America including USA and Canada representing the brand Metabo HPT
- 2018 Launched the game changing MultiVolt platform that allows a tool to be used both cordless or corded - you decide
All information taking from the Metabo HPT website
