Okada Aiyon’s history dates to 1938, when the late Tatsuo Okada (pen name: Hakuun) established the Okada Rock Drill Sales Office next to what is now the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka. However, as the war intensified, the store was forced to close due to air raids. After Japan’s defeat, the country entered a bleak post-war period dominated by underground economies. Amid this turmoil, in late 1945, our company resumed operations with nothing more than a single suitcase. Traveling by bicycle, we covered not only Osaka City but also neighboring areas such as Amagasaki and Sakai.

As Japan gradually recovered, deliveries shifted from three-wheeled motorcycles to four-wheeled trucks. At that time, most rock drills were powered by compressed air, with only a few electric models available.

Our business relationships expanded to over 14 companies, including Teikoku Rock Drill Manufacturing (now TEISAKU), Toyo Kogyo, and Nippon Pneumatic Kogyo, allowing us to gain extensive knowledge through handling a wide range of products such as rock drills, breakers, and air compressors.

During Japan’s period of rapid economic growth (1955–1974), Okada Aiyon evolved from a family business into a full-fledged corporation. In 1960, in collaboration with other companies, we developed and launched Japan’s first large air breaker, the IPH-400—nicknamed “Aiyon.” This product became a major success, and the name “Aiyon” soon became synonymous with breakers throughout the industry. In September of the same year, we incorporated as a joint-stock company.
By the 1970s, demand for Aiyon breakers surged, prompting us to develop a full product series ranging from small to large models (200, 600, and 1000 types). Around 1965–1974, we also co-developed the high-performance, low-noise “Blue Aiyon (BB)” air breaker with Teikoku Rock Drill Manufacturing (now TEISAKU).

A symbolic event of Japan’s economic boom was the 1970 Osaka Expo, where Aiyon breakers were widely used for site demolition. Around this time, we also imported Japan’s first hydraulic breaker—something we never imagined would later become a major export product for us worldwide.

However, the oil crisis of 1973 triggered an economic downturn, and the construction and machinery industries faced a prolonged slump until the economic recovery in 1986.

As Japan transitioned from the Showa to Heisei era, the nation became an economic powerhouse. However, rising trade friction forced a shift toward domestic demand-led growth, driving urgent calls for infrastructure development. Projects such as 24-hour international airports, the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge, waterfront developments, roads, railways, housing, sewage systems, and parks created enormous demand.

To meet these needs, we strengthened our sales network and secured talented personnel, aiming to become a more trusted company. In 1992, we were listed in the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

Following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, which caused devastating damage across the Kinki region, our products played a vital role in early recovery efforts for buildings, roads, and railways.

As exports rebounded, Japan entered a period of economic recovery. Advances in IT, including corporate LANs and the internet, significantly improved our sales management systems.

From 1998 to 2007, we continued opening new branches nationwide to strengthen sales capabilities. In 2002, we established our manufacturing subsidiary, Aiyon Tech Co., Ltd., and launched the TS-W Series, which later became the standard in Japan’s demolition industry. That same year, we founded Okada America, Inc. to accelerate overseas expansion.

The Global Financial Crisis triggered by the U.S. subprime mortgage collapse in 2008 led to a sharp decline in sales. We overcame this challenge through major organizational restructuring and rigorous cost control.

After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, our wood crushers and other products contributed to debris removal and disaster recovery efforts in the tsunami-affected Tohoku region.

In 2013, we were listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and established a parts center in Osaka to ensure rapid nationwide delivery of repair parts. From 2015 onward, we strengthened our presence in the Tokyo metropolitan area by opening a Tokyo office and a Yokohama branch to meet growing redevelopment demand.

In March 2016, we moved to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Shortly thereafter, the Kumamoto Earthquake struck, and our products again supported recovery efforts. In 2017, we expanded our product lineup significantly by integrating Nansei Machinery Co., Ltd., Nansei Wintec Co., Ltd., and Akatsuki Kiko Co., Ltd. into our group, adding forestry and scrap-handling machinery.

Since 2016, we have focused on strengthening our business foundation both in Japan and overseas, while accelerating global expansion. In 2017, we opened a European office in Rotterdam, followed by a representative office in Ayutthaya, Thailand, in 2019. Responding to growing demand in North America, we enhanced our sales network through Okada America, Inc. in 2018, boosting our capability in demolition attachments. Domestically, we have expanded sales offices and service hubs to meet redevelopment needs in the Tokyo metropolitan area, ensuring a faster response to customer requirements.

In April 2022, we transitioned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, aiming to further enhance corporate value. That same year, we acquired Thoesen Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc. (TT&E) and two affiliated companies in Illinois, establishing Okada Midwest, Inc. This acquisition integrated sales, repair, and rental services for demolition machinery, significantly boosting our presence in North America.

In Japan, we also strengthened our forestry machinery business through closer collaboration with Nansei Machinery. In 2024, we integrated our sales divisions to enhance after-sales service for forestry equipment.