The founder of the international corporation Pioneer Nozomu Matsumoto began by assembling speakers in his own garage. Thanks to these activities, the son of a Christian missionary from Koba was able to expand the audience of listeners to evangelical sermons, and in 1931, open his own business. However, Matsumoto’s works in the field of physics and commercial talents did not conflict with the Christian faith. Rather, it confirmed his belief that Fukuin Shokai’s electronic products would make missionaries’ work more productive. No wonder the dynamic loudspeaker, created in 1937, was christened by a young businessman with the name “Pioneer” – this is how Europeans called a person who first penetrated into an unexplored area. The well-read Japanese had no idea how accurately he guessed the strategy of the future brand!
The official date of birth of Pioneer Corporation is considered to be 1938. That year, Nozomu Matsumoto opened a small radio and speaker repair factory in Tokyo. In 1938, Nozomu Matsumoto founded the Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho company, which means “electric chant company” in Japanese. In 1961, the company was renamed Pioneer Electronic Corporation. It is now called Pioneer Corporation.
Nozomu Matsumoto
His sons, the future owners of Pioneer, equally distributed their father’s talents. Seiji Matsumoto, after graduating from university, entered the business as the head of the company for marketing and sales (already in 1982 he would become its president). And Kanya Matsumoto’s technical abilities were useful in Pioneer’s production and technological activities.
Car radio Pioneer KP500 (1960)
Pioneer Corporation is a recognized world leader in the production of electronic equipment. Pioneer’s role in the technical innovations of the 20th century is enormous: it was under this brand that a car radio with a removable front panel and a car CD receiver were first introduced on the planet. The appearance of LD, CD, DVD players and recorders is associated with the developments of Pioneer. The creation of the Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), interactive cable television, organic LED displays, plasma TVs and much more appeared in modern life thanks to or with the direct participation of Pioneer Corporation. It was Pioneer that became the first manufacturer on the planet to launch mass production of DVD recorders and DVD-Audio players.
Pioneer RT71 tape recorder (1973)
Pioneer has over 31 thousand employees in many countries. The company’s shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Euronext, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The popularity of Pioneer equipment led to the expansion of the company’s geography to the west. That’s why in 1970, the headquarters of Pioneer Europe NV was founded in Beveren (Belgium), and a European office for multimedia and investor relations was opened in Stoke Poges, UK. It was these two countries, as well as Portugal, that became the place where factories were built that specialized in the production of DVD players, plasma TVs, AV processors (in the UK) and car stereos (in Belgium, Portugal).
Pioneer CT-F1000 cassette deck (1979)
Pioneer Corporation has a wide distribution network that covers many European countries. It has representative offices in Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Benelux countries, Spain, Norway, France, and Sweden. Thanks to Pioneer Corporation, a Technology Research Center was opened in Belgium in 1991 to support research in a variety of areas and identify the latest trends in the European high-tech market. The center conducts research in the field of digital (DAB) and digital worldwide (DRM) broadcasting, develops integrated data processing and transmission tools, has a transport protocol expert group (TPEG), is engaged in the improvement of automobile navigation systems, as well as the design of integrated equipment in cooperation with European automakers.
Pioneer Exclusive 2401 (1983)
At the beginning of the 80s, manufacturers of the highest segment of hi-fi had a clear vision for the further development of this segment of the industry. The basis for further development was to avoid the mutual, negative influence of channels on each other. And as always, Pioneer engineers who created the Exclusive series were among the first to develop and implement this idea. As a result, monoblocks of the highest class were born, and at that time prices, Exclusive. Monoblocks appeared and even went on sale, but as it turned out, there was nothing to listen to them with. No, of course, there was the Exclusive P3a LP player, which was fantastic in price and quality, of course, there were the Exclusive 2401, which have never been surpassed until now, but there was no pre-amplifier.
Pioneer Exclusive C5 (1982)
Most likely, this was not a mistake by marketers, but the creation of a completely new content, as the most technically complex element of the audio system, took a little longer than originally expected. But now no one will tell us how it was there, but this handsome and well done man appeared only after almost a year and a half. But the “child” was a great success. Exclusive C5 became the real crown that crowned the entire system listed above.
Pioneer Exclusive M5 (1982)
It would seem that after the resounding success in 1981, Exclusive C3a and Exclusive M4a could have rested and smoked out the victory. No. There were already new creations in the project. Even more uncompromising and brilliant. And these projects were born not at the behest of a boss, but according to the design of reasonable managers and experienced, restless engineers. The project was not easy to implement. It was necessary not just to split the stereo power into two halves, but to create a “super linear circuit”, remove OOS from it, and all this with 300 W of power in pure Class A.
Pioneer Exclusive P3 (1982)
But the company has achieved special achievements in the production of home theaters and components for them, such as subwoofers, receivers, amplifiers, which allows you to achieve an amazing sound and visual atmosphere when watching your favorite movie or listening to various musical compositions. In addition to modern developments in the field of electronics, the company is constantly working to improve the quality and ease of use of its products, so all models are automated to the maximum. The created plasma panels perfectly convey any color scheme, speaker systems delight with extraordinary sound effects and stylish design, and modern car devices will easily help you find your route while listening to your favorite tunes. All of the company’s products are distinguished by their ergonomics, safety for humans, easy installation and operation, which makes the Pioneer brand one of the most popular in the world. Pioneer’s motto is “Sound. Vision. Soul.” The element “Sound” (sound, sound), which comes first, not only recalls the original direction of the company’s activities, but also, thanks to the meaning “strong, strong”, characterizes its stable position in the market and successful promotion of the brand. The “Vision” element also allows for two interpretations: the basic meaning of “sight, vision” symbolizes the type of product being manufactured (plasma panels, DVD players, OEL organic electroluminescent displays), but if we perceive “Vision” in the meaning of “dream, image, representation”, an image emerges of the future worldview that Pioneer intends to create in every home with the help of its high-tech products. Finally, the last component “Soul” (soul) is designed to expand the boundaries of perception and put the world of digital technology at the service of the spiritual world.
Pioneer Elite series (1987)
Pioneer’s “Move the Heart and Touch the Soul” ideology is based on the vision of corporate founder Nozomu Matsumoto: “better sound for more people” and reflects Pioneer’s commitment to doing its job with integrity while maintaining and enhancing the trust of its customers, whose satisfaction is always the company’s number one priority.
Pioneer Kuro PDP LX5090 (2008)
Pioneer Corporation has several subsidiaries: Pioneer Elite – produces premium electronics. Most models produced under this brand have an Urushi finish in black lacquer. Pioneer Premier (North America only) – High End automotive electronics. Carrozzeria (Japan only) – TAD car electronics – unique high-end loudspeakers. Pioneer – electronics for home and car. Pioneer DJ – specialized equipment for Dj. Modern Pioneer Dj produces the world’s best equipment for Dj performances, as well as professional sound processing systems and a huge variety of headphones.
Milestones in the development of Pioneer In 1936, Mr. Matsumoto founded his first company in Osaka, Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho, which roughly translates to “Blissful Electric Sound Company” or “Electric Chant Company.” All this was due to the Christian faith of the Japanese Nozomu Matsumoto and his sincere belief that electronic products should serve the benefit of missionary work. In 1937, he created his first device – a dynamic loudspeaker, which he christened the name “Pioneer”, putting a special meaning into it. Matsumoto moved to Tokyo in 1938 and opened a small radio and speaker repair shop there. In May 1947, Fukuin Denki became a corporation. In December 1953, Fukuin Denki began producing the PE-8 Hi-Fi loudspeaker. In June 1961, the company was renamed Pioneer Electronic Corporation. And in October of the same year, Pioneer shares began to be traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In June 1962, the world’s first stereo system from individual components was launched. By March 1966, sales companies for Pioneer products were formed in Europe and the USA. In February 1968, Pioneer shares began to be traded on the first branch of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In April 1968, Pioneer shares were listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange. In February 1969, Pioneer shares appeared on the Amsterdam stock exchange (now Euronext Amsterdam). US GAAP consolidated financial statements appear. In March 1969, the famous Beatles producer, composer and Oscar winner George Martin founded the famous AIR Studios in London. In October 1981, a household LD player appeared in Japanese stores. In October 1982, an LD karaoke system for professional use went on sale. In September 1984, Pioneer began production of the world’s first LD player that also played CDs. Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto died in 1988 at the age of 83.
