Kodenshi AUK Group
 | |
| Public/Conglomerate | |
| Industry | Primary areas of expertise include Electronic component manufacturing, Robotics, and Solar energy |
| Founded | May 1972 |
| Founder | Hirokazu Nakajima |
| Headquarters | South Korea, Japan |
| Products | |
| Subsidiaries | Kodenshi America, Inc. |
| Website |
www |
Kodenshi AUK Group is a conglomerate of two companies, Kodenshi Corporation based in Kyoto, Japan and AUK Corporation based in Iksan, South Korea.
Background
Kodenshi Corporation was established in May 1972, in Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan as a semiconductor producing company. The Company has been active in the optical semiconductor market for the past forty years through continual research, development, production, and sales of solar cells. Since the establishment of Kodenshi Corp, the Company has been developing new forms of photo diodes, light receiving element of photo transistors, red LEDs, photo ICs, etc. “The company’s products are used for mobile devices, digital home appliance, lighting, office automation, amusement, robot, and automobile applications.” [1]
AUK Corp
The AUK Corp. was founded on 1984 in Iksan, South Korea and has since become a global electronic component company. AUK Corp. engages in the research, development, and provision of nonmemory semiconductor products primarily in Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. However, “as of July 1, 2010, AUK Corp was acquired by Kodenshi Korea Corp. & Knowledge*On, Inc. in a reverse merger transaction.” [2] “Also, AUK Corp announced that its Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO), Gwak Hun Yeong, has resigned from the Company, effective September 5, 2011. Its current Co-CEO, Nakajima Hirokazu, continues his duty as Chief Executive Officer in the Company.” [3]
Products
Kodenshi AUK Group manufactures a wide variety of optoelectronic, semiconductors, and LEDs. According to the Kodenshi AUK Group they are currently the largest optoelectronic manufacturer in South Korea.
A breakdown of some of their main products:
| LEDs | Diodes | MOSFETs |
| Photodetectors | Encoders | Semiconductors |
| Power semiconductor device | Ambient Light Sensors | Proximity Sensors |
| Infrared Emitters & Detectors | Optical Compound Devices | Photo Interrupter |
Applications
According to the Kodenshi AUK Group website, they offer applications for the following devices:
- Home automation in such appliances as: TVs, Set-Top Boxes, DVDs, Audio players, Camcorders, Video Game Consoles, Cameras, Air Conditioners, Microwave Ovens, and Refrigerators.
- Office automation in such appliances as: Computers, Printers, Mobile Phones, CD drives, Copiers, Fax Machines.
- Other application fields include: Automobile, Ambient Light Sensors & Proximity Sensors, Vending Machines, SMPS, Robots, ATMs, and Blood Glucose meter.
Subsidiaries
Kodenshi America, Inc.
Kodenshi America Inc. is a branch office of the international Optoelectronic and semiconductor manufacturer, Kodenshi AUK Group. This particular subsidiary is in charge of marketing, developing plans for new products, targeting top manufacturing territories in their territory.
Territories served
Territories covered by Kodenshi America, Inc. are:
Notable mentions
- Kodenshi wins Trade Award from South Korea for exportation of goods in excess of $100 million[4]
- Kodenshi AUK Corp. is the main supplier for Nintendo DS IRDA ports.[5]
- Kodenshi AUK Corp. “announced that it has declared an annual cash dividend of KRW 110(0.0975 US Dollars) per share of common stock to shareholders of record on December 31, 2010, for the fiscal year 2010. The dividend rate of market price is 2.4% and the total amount of the cash dividend is KRW 5,231,702,740(4639.23 USD). The dividend payment date is April 25, 2011. The Company's annual cash dividend for the fiscal year 2009 was KRW 20(0.0177 USD) per share.” [6]
- In 2009 Kodenshi AUK introduces a newly developed sensors to detect floor space and objects for use in products such as iRobots'. The various sensors can detect almost anything and was a first of its kind in South Korea. They were able to develop this new, first of a kind technology at a cost of 50% less than other imported sensors.[7]
References
- ↑ "Company Overview of Kodenshi Corp". Business Week.
- ↑ "Company Overview of AUK Corp., Prior to Reverse Merger with Kodenshi Korea Corp. & Knowledge*On, Inc.". Business Week. 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "AUK Corp Announces Resignation of Co-CEO". Reuters. 2011-09-05.
- ↑ "South Korea Awards Kodenshi for $100 Million in Exports (translated)". JJAN.KR. May 12, 2004.
- ↑ "Kodenshi, Nintendo DS, the delivery device in the communication 'Jackpot'". Knoum.com. November 11, 2005.
- ↑ "AUK Corp Declares Annual Cash Dividend for FY 2010". Reuters. February 24, 2011.
- ↑ "Kodenshi Korea, artificial sensors developed for cleaning robots". ET News. December 20, 2009.