GS Yuasa Corporation, the parent company of GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The company was formed from two companies, Japan Storage Battery and Yuasa Battery. Both were responsible for building the foundation of storage battery development and manufacturing in Japan.

Japan Storage Battery was established in 1917 and Yuasa Battery was established the following year. Since then, both companies have worked diligently to promote battery development, culminating in a 2004 merger. Both companies can each boast of over 100 years of history.

A new logo launched to mark the anniversary expresses how the merger of the two companies did not merely double GS Yuasa’s history, but rather squared it, due to synergistic effects. The zeros in the logo are linked together like a chain to represent the strong bond between GS Yuasa and its customers.

In 1920, one of GS Yuasa’s founders invented a revolutionary method for manufacturing lead powder, the most important ingredient for lead storage batteries. That invention resulted in a dramatic improvement in the quality and performance of lead storage batteries. The principle and technology involved in the invention continues to be used today.

On land, in the air, in the ocean and even in space, GS Yuasa batteries have excelled in these harsh environments where highly reliable power systems are needed to supply the adequate electric power essential for maintaining human life. GS Yuasa lithium-ion batteries are able to satisfy those specialized requirements and the manufacturer’s Li-ion space cells are the most widely used in orbit, including on the International Space Station.

Accomplishments such as applying sophisticated technologies for special-application batteries and successfully mass producing automotive lithium-ion batteries ahead of competitors have contributed to GS Yuasa’s reputation for innovation. These technologies are widely used in many hybrid and electric vehicles, which has promoted their widespread adoption.

GS Yuasa Battery Sales Europe is one of 65 subsidiaries and 33 affiliates. Worldwide, GS Yuasa has 38 operating sites in 17 countries with over 15,000 employees.

GS Yuasa has been actively involved in promoting the progress and development of electricity from its early days and continues to work towards a brighter future for society and the global environment.