Corporate
Info
Corporate Philosophy
Corporate Philosophy
Good Times Company
Corporate mission
Let the Good Times Roll Working for the happiness and joy of all those whose lives Kawasaki touches
Kawasaki’s powersports & engine business were founded on three values that have been nurtured over its long history:
01
Serving society through our expertise
These were the words of Shozo Kawasaki, founder of Kawasaki Dockyard.
Shipbuilding was one of the most vital and cutting-edge industries at
the time, crucial for the nation’s prosperity and defense.
These words reflect Shozo Kawasaki's strong desire to contribute to the
nation’s prosperity through shipbuilding.
Kojiro Matsukata, the first president of Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd.,
which was incorporated in 1896, expanded the company's business to
include rolling stock, aircraft, steelmaking, and marine shipping in
just over 20 years, thanks to his foresight and quick, bold business
decisions.
All of these projects were fundamental to the development of the nation
and society.
At its core, Kawasaki’s business aims to contribute to the nation and society through technology.
From Kawasaki Dockyard Co. Ltd., Kawasaki Rolling Stock Manufacturing
Co., Ltd. and Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. were established in 1928 and
1937, respectively.
Leveraging its engine technology post-war, Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd.
ventured into the engine and motorcycle businesses.
In 1969, Kawasaki Dockyard absorbed Kawasaki’s rolling stock and
aircraft businesses and officially adopted the name Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, Ltd.* However, the origin of our motorcycle business is
mainly from Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd., and this is the source from
where the outstanding performance and reliability of our products can be
traced.
Meguro Manufacturing Company, founded in 1924, also played an important role in our company’s origin. It is one of the world's oldest motorcycle manufacturers. Meguro motorcycles were used as police bikes in Japan before World War II and were admired by young riders across the country for their large-displacement engines, high performance, and excellent quality. In 1964, Meguro Manufacturing Company merged with Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd, and many Meguro engineers and staff joined the company. The Z1's chief chassis engineer, Mr. Togashi, came from Meguro Manufacturing Company, while the chief engine engineer, Mr. Inamura, came from Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. So, it could be said that the renowned Z1 came about through the combination of Meguro’s chassis technology and Kawasaki's engine technology.
* Domestically, Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd. had already changed its name in Japanese to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. in 1937. However, its English name remained Kawasaki Dockyard until the date of the merger of the three companies.
02
Selling Happiness, Not Just Products
Success in the Japanese domestic motorcycle industry, where small- and
medium-displacement models were predominant, was not easy. Kawasaki
faced several crises and survived thanks to the efforts of Yoji Hamawaki
and Alan Masek, who pioneered Kawasaki’s expansion into the U.S. market.
Many innovative motorcycles, such as the Mach Series and Z1, as well as
personal watercraft and off-road four-wheelers, were born in the U.S.
market.
Although Kawasaki has been present in the U.S. since 1966, the “Let the
Good Times Roll” tagline was created for advertising purposes in 1973,
when the U.S. business was growing significantly.
In addition to focusing on the products, the tagline promoted the
enjoyment and pleasure that motorcycles offered, reflecting Kawasaki’s
idea of selling happiness to its customers.
This concept is now taken for granted, but it was groundbreaking at the
time.
03
People’s Company
The U.S. distributor, which expanded its business with the great efforts
of Yoji Hamawaki and Alan Masek, took care of its employees and dealers
with the idea that “employees are family members and dealers are
business partners.”
Not long after, Kawasaki USA naturally came to be known as the “People's
Company.”
This phrase came about as a result of putting into practice the idea
that the goal of a business is not only profit, but also the happiness
of its employees and dealers.
This tradition has been firmly carried on to the present day; Kawasaki
continues to be an employee-friendly company that cares about its
dealers.
These three values represent the company's philosophy of valuing all stakeholders—not only the shareholders but also the nation, society, customers, dealers, business partners and employees.
The corporate philosophy, “Good Times Company,” and the Corporate Mission, “Let the Good Times Roll” (Working for the happiness and joy of all those whose lives Kawasaki touches), are the very embodiment of these three values.
They are our pride, our guiding principles, and our commitment to our stakeholders.
Let the Good Times Roll !
Company profile
- Company Name
- Kawasaki Motors, Ltd.
- President
- Hiroshi Ito
- Incorporated
- February 12, 2021
- Number of Employees
- 11,067 (As of March 31, 2024)
- Paid-in Capital
- 1 Billion Japanese Yen