The success story of one hundred years in business

YANMAR is a family group first founded in 1912. It has been run by four generations of the same family for over one hundred years. Today the company is run by Mr Takehito YAMAOKA, and in 2013 the group generated a turnover equivalent to 6.5 billion euros.

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Founded in Osaka, Japan by Magokichi YAMAOKA, the company initially sold gas engines before focusing more on farming and agriculture. In 1921 when the current brand name YANMAR was adopted, the company was developing an innovative horizontal heat engine. Subsequently, YANMAR became renowned for a wide range of technical innovations. This prowess reached its zenith in 1933 with the production of the world's first compact diesel engine.

One hundred years later, YANMAR has over 16,000 employees all over the world and a sales network present in 130 countries. Founder Magokichi YAMAOKA was convinced that diesel technology would be crucial in the future. Today, YANMAR diesel engines and equipment are designed and manufactured for a wide range of applications: from sailing to freight shipping, industry to farming vehicles, construction machines and energy cogeneration systems. The company was one of the first to market clean engines and sustainable energy systems.

All over the world, YANMAR has developed a premium brand image offering reliable, high performance and high quality products with the company's permanent concern for the environment as a guiding line.

The group’s vision and values

In 1933, Magokichi YAMAOKA said: "To conserve fuel is to serve mankind". These values inspired the Founder's Spirit "Be grateful to work for a better world" which is to cornerstone to all YANMAR businesses.

In celebration of the group's centenary in 2012, current president Takehito YAMAOKA created Missions to provide all employees with a clear direction for the company's next one hundred years: "We strive to provide sustainable solutions for needs which are essential to human life. We focus on the challenges our customers face in food production and harnessing power, thereby enriching peoples' lives for all our tomorrows."

Recently, the associated principles and values were presented to YANMAR employees all over the world, to inspire them to work with even greater pride, in a greater spirit of initiative and creativity, working towards a common goal.