Company changes name to TOA Corporation and set up new civil engineering and architectural divisions

In December 1973, TOA Kowan Kogyo took the first step in the process of evolution to a general construction company by inheriting goodwill from Tomeoka-gumi. The Company then changed its name to TOA Corporation and adopted a new corporate logo and standardised colour scheme as part of an overall image transformation.

HISTORY

1 December, 1973
Civil Engineering and Architectural Department established, Tokyo Building Department and Sendai branch (now Tohoku branch) open
1 October, 1974
New Sales Division created through amalgamation of Head Office Sales Division with Civil Engineering and Railways Departments

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Successes and failures overseas

TOAn-maru during dredging operations (4,720 ps)

With the establishment of the Overseas Department (now the International Division) in 1963, the Company began looking to expand outside Japan, particularly into Singapore. In 1976, TOA Corporation was awarded a contract worth ¥29.9 billion for construction of Changi International Airport. At the time, it was the largest overseas project ever undertaken by a Japanese construction company.

In 1972, TOA Corporation set its sights on the Middle East and in 1976, the Company had won a major contract for construction of the industrial port facility at Khor Al-Zubair in Iraq. At ¥33.4 billion, this was the biggest project ever undertaken by the Company. However, the Company was later forced to withdraw from the region following the Iranian revolution and the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war in September 1980.

HISTORY

January 1977
Decom No. 1 soil improvement vessel completed
1 April, 1978
Shimonoseki branch split into Chugoku and Kyushu branches
1 April, 1979
Keihin branch split into Tokyo, Yokohama branches and Keihin Architectural Departments
26 September, 1980
Iran-Iraq war forced the Company to evacuate employees from projects in both countries

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Company-wide restructuring programme

Following substantial losses sustained in the term ending March 1981, mainly as a result of unprofitable overseas operations, the Company launched an ambitious three-year recovery programme called Katsu in April 1981, predicated on a stronger focus on domestic projects and fast-tracking of loss-making overseas projects. The programme objectives were achieved a full year ahead of schedule, with dividend distribution resuming in the March 1983 period.

The next three-year programme, Tou, launched in 1984, was designed to weather the climate of cut-throat competition for orders in a shrinking marketplace during the so-called gconstruction winterh.

HISTORY

31 March, 1981
Substantial deficit due to unprofitable overseas operations; company forced to suspend dividend distribution
August
Company Philosophy, Three Guiding Principles and Five Rules adopted as the basic principles of restructuring
10 January, 1984
Hokuriku and Shikoku branches open

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Domestic demand started rising with major projects on the horizon

In 1987, the government of Japan announced a comprehensive initiative to stimulate domestic demand, including a six trillion yen economic stimulus package and deregulation reforms. These brought immediate benefits to the construction industry. TOA Corporation was engaged on a number of major national infrastructure projects including expansion of Haneda Airport, construction of bridges to Shikoku, development of the Kansai International Airport and construction of Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway, as well as construction of power stations for energy utilities and other projects in the energy sector.

Haneda Airport expansion

Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway (Aqua-Line)

No. 2 LNG berth at Futtsu thermal power plant

LNG berth at Ogishima

HISTORY

4 March, 1989
75th anniversary of founding commemorated with gSoaring into the 21st Centuryh slogan/logo

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TOA Corporation survives the latest downturn to celebrate its centenary

Pasir Panjang container terminal

J&S Kawasaki Ukishima distribution centre

The collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s plunged the Japanese economy into a prolonged downturn. Public sector construction investment was significantly curtailed after 2001, causing major shifts in the construction industry.

TOA Corporation, already cognizant of the need to reduce its reliance on domestic public works projects, has been aggressively pursuing construction contracts in the private sector as well as overseas projects, particularly in Southeast Asia, where demand remains strong. In 2008, the Company celebrated the 100th anniversary of founding.

HISTORY

January 1995
TOA Corporation assisted with reconstruction after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
1 April, 1997
Chiba branch opened
28 December, 2003
Registered company-wide ISO14001 accreditation
22 June, 2005
Registered company-wide ISO9001 accreditation
26 November, 2010
Registered company-wide OHSAS 18001 accreditation

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