3-6-2 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ward, Tokyo 103-8251, Japan
http://www.kose.co.jp/global/en/
Corporate Philosophy
Corporate Message
Wisdom and beauty for people and the Earth.
Statement of Purpose
Create a culture and values embodying a distinctive beauty through a sophisticated fusion of sensuousness and intelligence.
Behavioral Charter
Mind to follow the right path.
Management Philosophy
Deeply devoted to all the people who believe in and support Kosé.
Respect the values and skills of each employee.
Always aim for higher growth – never settle for stability.
Strive for the highest possible quality backed by exclusive technology.
Meet and exceed the expectations of customers.
Build a stronger global presence.
Action Guidelines
The actions of each employee shape the present and future Kosé́.
Be sincere. Retain an intent focus on goals.
Go beyond the conventional.
Never lose your enthusiasm and the desire to improve.
Have the courage to communicate with others openly and honestly.
Business Description
The Kosé Group focuses mainly on the manufacturing and marketing of cosmetics. Our strength lies in our unique and high-value exclusive cosmetics. Our policy is to offer original and valuable products in all of our brand categories, particularly in the high-prestige and prestige brands, which are characterized by high added value, as well as the cosmetaries* brands, which offer inexpensive and affordable products, mainly in the self-service category.
We also offer through various sales channels highly original brands with a wide variety of features to precisely meet the diverse needs of customers. Our brands are divided into two major categories: the Kosé brand, a brand that has the company’s name on it, and the individual brands, which represent a wide variety of highly original brands.
*Cosmetaries: A coined word combining “cosmetics” and “toiletries”
Background
Kozaburo Kobayashi, who founded Kosé in 1946, poured his limitless passion into making cosmetics that give people dreams and hope. Even during the post-war period of shortages, Mr Kobayashi committed Kosé to making quality products that truly exceeded the expectations of each customer. This spirit remains alive in all facets of our business today, from research and development to manufacturing, from customer-oriented consultative sales to distribution, to our unique brand marketing system that perfectly matches brands with sales channels. We believe it is this spirit that gives Kosé the strength and drives it (the company) to do more.
Products/Services
Manufacturing and sales of cosmetics.
Markets
Kosé Group (consolidated) has expanded to 26 countries and areas.
Employees
6,758 (excluding temporary and part-time employees, as of March 31, 2016.)
Highlights
1946 Kozaburo Kobayashi founded Kobayashi Unlimited Partnership in Oji-ku (current Kita-ku), Tokyo, to start manufacturing and marketing of cosmetics.
1948 Established Kobayashi Kosé Company Limited at 7-chome, Toshima, Kita-ku, Tokyo.
1951 The sales department was split off to form Kosé Shoji Corporation.
1956 Established Albion Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of premium cosmetics.
1961 Established Topak Corporation, a manufacturer of corrugated cardboard and paper containers. (Later merged with Intercosme Inc.)
1963 Signed an agreement with L’Oréal of France for technological cooperation. (The joint venture agreement lasted until August 2001.)
1964 Established Sayama Factory in Saitama.
1964 Opened a laboratory (current Kosé Research Laboratory) in Kita-ku, Tokyo.
1965 Relocated the head office to Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
1968 Entered the Hong Kong market.
1971 Established Kosé Singapore Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.
1979 Established Gunma Factory in Gunma.
1980 Awarded the Deming Prize for Quality Control in Factory Production.
1984 Established Taiwan Kosé Co., Ltd. in Taiwan.
1985 Established Cosme Labo Co., Ld., a cosmetics manufacturer.
1985 Established Crie Co., Ltd., a cosmetics distributor exclusively for salons.
1987 Established Chun Si Li Co., Ltd. (current Kosé Cosmetics Co., Ltd. (China)).
1988 Opened a laboratory (current Kosé Fundamental Research Laboratory) in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo.
1988 Established Kosé Sales Co., Ltd., a distributor of Kosé products.
1988 Established Kosé Cosmeport Corp., a cosmetics distributor for wholesalers.
1991 Established Intercosme Inc., a manufacturer of plastic containers.
1991 The company’s name was changed to Kosé Corporation.
1992 Established Advance Co., Ltd., a special subsidiary corporation under the law concerning employment of disabled persons.
1993 Established Kosé Cosmenience Co., Ltd., a cosmetics distributor.
1997 The accounting period was changed from ending December 31 to ending March 31.
1998 Gunma Factory acquired ISO 9002 certification (current ISO 9001).
1999 Registered with the Japan Securities Dealers Association (OTC-registered stocks).
2000 Built Xiasha Factory of Chun Si Li Co., LTD. (current Kosé Cosmetics Co., Ltd. (China).
2000 Gunma Factory acquired ISO 14001 certification.
2000 Established Kosé (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. in China.
2000 Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2001 Established Kosé Korea Co., Ltd. in South Korea.
2002 Acquired Phil International Inc. (current Dr. Phil Cosmetics Inc.), a company developing dermatology-based cosmetics.
2002 Established Kosé Cosmepia Co., Ltd., a distributor of OEM and amenity products.
2004 Opened a regional ordering center in Akita.
2004 Built Kosé Research Laboratory to establish a new R&D system.
2004 Established Hsinchu Factory of Taiwan Kosé Co., Ltd. in Taiwan.
2005 Established Kosé Cosmetics Sales (China) Co., Ltd. in China.
2005 Introduced the Jill Staurt brand to the Japanese cosmetics market as a licensed business.
2006 Introduced the Rimmel brand to the Japanese cosmetics market under a license agreement with US company Coty Inc.
2008 Opened Kosé Oji Training Center in Kita-ku, Tokyo.
2009 Acquired the global trademark rights for Jill Stuart brand cosmetics.
2011 Established Provision Co., Ltd. (current Kosé Provision Co., Ltd.), a cosmetics mail-order company.
2013 Established Kosé Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. in India.
2014 Established PT. Indonesia Kosé in Indonesia.
2014 Acquired the stock of US company Tarte, Inc., making it an affiliate.
2015 Established Kosé America, Inc. in the United States.
2016 Established Kosé Brasil Servicios e Consultoria Ltda.
