Responding to Global Needs: The history of NEG
NEG was founded over half a century ago, in 1949. In the intervening years, the company has consistently focused on developing and improving its glassmaking technology and introducing new products. NEG has always been committed to creating and refining its technology. In addition to the production facilities in Japan that constitute its core base, NEG has established plants overseas to meet global needs. The company has also been transforming its business structure in order to adapt to new market conditions. NEG will continue to draw on its extensive expertise and seek to manufacture products of the highest standards.
In 1949, the company was separated from NEC and founded as NEG, with a focus on hand-blown vacuum bulbs and glass tubing. In 1951, NEG succeeded in automating the production of glass tubing by the Danner process. In 1956, continuous production of glass tubing began, using a tank furnace, and glass tubing became the foundation of the company.
Production of CRT glass bulbs was started in 1965. The company entered a period of growth that reflected the development of television and CRT-related business in Japan. This period saw the start of production of glass-ceramics, glass blocks for construction, electronic glass materials, and glass fiber. NEG grows into one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty glass, with CRT glass becoming one of its core products.
Entering the 1990s, NEG began to put together a global production network in response to the overseas expansion of Japanese CRT manufacturers and growing global demand. Flat panel displays began to appear in the latter half of 1990s, and the company started producing substrate glass for LCDs and PDPs by the overflow and float processes, respectively.
While the flat panel display market is growing rapidly, the CRT glass market is quickly shrinking. The company has been transforming itself to adapt to these dramatic market changes. NEG has also been promoting the development of new glass products within many different fields, including those associated with Non-Glass products.
