On July 8, 2020, Aiphone celebrates 50 years of business in North America. It’s been an exciting journey since 1970. We’ve seen many incredible technological advancements throughout the industry and have made great strides in the development of our products and services.
In 1948, Aiphone’s founding father, Mr. Ichikawa Sr. became interested in intercoms after seeing one in a home in Tokyo. This discovery led to the founding of the Tokai Electronic Acoustic Research Center, later to be named Aiphone. In 1951, our first intercoms were mounted in a wood chassis, which were handmade for the Nakamura Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Fast-forward 19 years to 1970, and the North American subsidiary of ACL was formed, now known as Aiphone Corporation.
Outgrowing our Family Home
From a small office on the shores of Lake Union in Seattle, WA, Aiphone Corporation started slow, but grew quickly. Within a few years, we were up to ten employees generating over $2,000,000 in annual sales. Within the first five years, we outgrew our original home and started looking for a place to build our corporate headquarters. Eventually, a site in the then–sleepy suburb of Bellevue, WA was selected, and construction began. Finished in late 1978, Aiphone packed everything up and moved across Lake Washington. We’d finished the 70s and started the 80s in a brand–new home. We weren’t done growing yet, however. By 1982 our Bellevue office expanded to nearly double the size.
Award-winning 1980’s
The 80s saw several innovations both from Aiphone Corporation and from our parent company, ACL. Recognizing our customers’ need for equipment outside our normal offering, a “Special Order Product” division was launched. This kicked off the building of US–made products in 1983. Our new venture into “SOP” was executed under the same guidelines and with the same adherence to quality that earned our parent company the exclusive Deming Award two years earlier – Aiphone was the first intercom manufacturer to win this coveted prize.
1990 Decade of Exceptional Growth
By the time 1990 arrived, Aiphone US had grown to 42 employees and was making more than $12 million in sales. A 400% increase in just 10 years! Product innovations in the 90s included the industry’s first 2-wire video intercom (Replacing coax and multi-conductor for video), a video intercom with pan and tilt technology, Aiphone’s first nurse call system, and a color video intercom system. The 90s also saw Aiphone expand its business footprint when Canada joined the team to make us a truly North American company.
New Century – New Awards
To start the new century, Aiphone joined our parent company in achieving the ISO Certification for quality. We also launched our online specification program “QuikSpec”, which allowed our customers to specify Aiphone intercoms whenever they wanted, wherever there was an internet connection. Within just a few years, we added online chat and other innovative web services.
Our innovations in the 2000’s didn’t stop with online services however, we also released our first BUS–controlled apartment intercom, our first completely hands–free color video intercom, and our first intercom that would communicate directly to a PC.
By 2010 our sales had grown to $35 million, we had 65 employees, and we had established intercom as a fundamental element in the Security Industry. We continued to innovate with IP–based intercoms and began looking beyond our traditional markets into areas like emergency call and healthcare security, bringing on systems that would integrate seamlessly with other security products and complement the burgeoning smart building market.
On the Move Again
Alongside Aiphone, our host city for all these years—Bellevue, was growing up too. In 2013 we received word that our property on 130th Ave NE was directly in the path of the new light rail system and we would have to move again. The loss of our first “forever home” was a blessing in disguise as we were able to purchase a state–of–the–art building just down the freeway in the City of Redmond.
It wasn’t long after the move that we released our first SIP–enabled IP video intercom – allowing users to see and talk from anywhere in the world. And just recently, we started offering app–based solutions for multi-tenant buildings, single family homes, and small business.
We Owe Our Success to You
Through the years, our steadfast dedication to quality and service have brought many achievements. We feel we owe our longevity and continued success to the support of our industry, customers, dealers, integrators and employees. Without that support, we would not be where we are today.
Year after year, you have given Aiphone the gift of opportunity – the opportunity to improve and develop better solutions and offer premium-level service. Simply put, you continue to help make us great.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to another successful 50 years serving you!
