For our first post looking back on the life of TOA, we're looking back on where it all started…

The seeds of today's TOA can be found in Kobe, Japan, the same city the TOA's headquarters resides in nearly a century later. Originally TOA Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd., our company was founded by the  Late Nakatani Tsunetaro, TOA's first President. In September of 1934, after having been inspired by a young engineer Tsunetaro met during his travels, TOA would open its doors for the first time and begin manufacturing audio equipment.

"Man's happiness lies in the fact that he can do the job he loves with all his might." This was the mantra of the Nakatani Tsunetaro, TOA's founder. And it is this spirit towards delivering quality sound equipment that still propels TOA forward nearly a century later.

We strive to constantly iterate, upgrade, and design new equipment, fuelled by the very same passion for delivering quality sound that led to TOA's very creation. We pride ourselves on delivering quality sound for the last 90 years, and look forward to delivering it for the next 90 years as well!"

TOA Corporation was established in 1934, originally under the name "TOA Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,". At that time, "T-O-A" ("tíː óʊ éɪ") was pronounced, “toɑ.” This portion of our name was formed by combining two Japanese Kanji: 東 ('to) – East, and 亜 (ɑ) – Asia, since Japan is located far east Asia, many Japanese companies used to use “toɑ” as part of their company’s names. This would mean that our company’s original name was “East Asia Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.” 

When we switched names in the late 80s to "TOA Corporation” the official pronunciation switched from “toɑ” to the "T-O-A" ("tíː óʊ éɪ") pronunciation that we’re all used to. A way to pay homage to the company’s roots, but also carry on a naming tradition that has since lost popularity in Japan. 

So is it TOA or T-O-A? A question that we've gotten quite a few times, the answer is a bit more nuanced than one or the other...

TOA Canada is one of the Corporation's younger subsidaries and as such we've always presented ourselves as T-O-A 

Additionally, at least for HQ many of TOA’s customers have stuck to the original name, as they are more familiar with the "toɑ" sound rather than “T-O-A.” Unlike here at TCC, many over in Japan still call us "toɑ" even today, out of memory if nothing else.

In addition to helping make the medicine go down, sugar also served a pivotal role in the early days of TOA. Some of TOA first products included carbon microphones, which utilized the carbon created by applying extreme heat to sugar.

The sugar would first be liqufied and subsequently burned in a copper pot, with this sugar increasing in viscosity until it turns into a blackened cake. Then placed in a crucible pre-heated to 500°C, oxygen supply would be cut off, and the sugar would be continually heated until it hit 1,100°C before being rapidly cooled. The result is carbon in the form of coke, that would then be ground into evenly sized granules to be used in the mics.

In our early days, we focused on some unique (and very descriptively named) products such as the "TOA Portable Amplifier” or TOA's “Record Recorder." 

Whilst both were well received and viable in their own regard, it would be the former of the two products that would shape the company's future. As we would continue in a similar vein with made-to-order rack-mount amplifiers, who mainly found their home in schools and factories. Through this, TOA gradually established its position as a specialized PA equipment manufacturer.

"Every tide has its ebb. Even strong business enterprises must obey this very fundamental rule of life. Therefore, we must strive with every action to preserve our company and protect it from unfortunate outcomes." 

This is the same mentality led to the creation of TOA's "Three Confidences," these policies have served as the benchmark for how we aim to present ourselves and our products to the world for nearly as long as the company has existed, and it is the very same policies that remain as a fundamental guide of our company to this day.

In 1954 TOA developed the first commercially available electric megaphone in Japan. Offering clear sound over long distances, ER-57's convenient portable design allowed the user to hold the microphone in one hand while hanging the speaker portion over the shoulder, and this earned it favorable reviews among political candidates campaigning in the streets. 

These products took advantage of the advanced technology of the day, and surprised the world with their lightweight, compact design, low energy consumption, and high performance.

Highlighted in one of our previous history posts was the 6.6m super-large PA system, one of many products that was developed and tested for the mass notification and safety. We've got quite the varied history of delivering quality sound when its needed most, whether it was horn speakers as massive as these, or conversely speakers as small as the systems mounted on police motorcycles to ensure officers had mobile systems to deliver announcements. 

For 90 years, TOA's been making neighbourhoods safer one speaker at a time.

Being hosted in TOA's home country of Japan, the 1964 Olympics served as an opportunity for TOA to display it's prowess to a global audience. The Tokyo Olympics organizers employed TOA via contributing “sound” support in the form of broadcast equipment. 

Our systems could be found throughout the games, as products were  incorporated into almost all of the Olympic venues that year such as the horn speakers shown here! We were and still are extremely proud to be able to be part of such a monumentous event!

In the early 70s, TOA designers resided in San Francisco, California to conduct research on how best to innovate within the world of pro AV products. 

As a result of extensive market surveys, we decided that we should start planning a new product, and visited every company we could find that was related to acoustic sound. Our development theme at the time was to create something new, "Something Different."

"We believe that it is important for the manufacturer's thinking or fundamental policy to be visible in the product itself. Of course, making products that ultimately satisfy customers is the most important goal of all." 

TOA helps ensure that travellers and commuters get from A to B: With installations in Narita and Wakayama station(1971 -1972), as well as Namba Station(1975)—the largest station on the Nankai Line—these pivotal projects help solidify TOA's position as a leader in sound equipment for the transportation infrastructure market.  

The automated guidance broadcast systems as well as audio file technology used in such systems soonafter began being soon being incorporated into numerous other railways and airports. In short, one of the most punctual countries in the world ensured that passengers arrive on time with TOA!

In the mid 1970s, TOA Corporation had started a joint company in Jakarta, with the goal of developing a bastion for localized production overseas. As a byproduct, this served as TOA's introduction to international production efforts! 

Fast-forwarding a few decades, TOA Corporation now has  27 sales and production bases located across the globe, ensuring that people all over the world can experience crisp, clear, high-quality sound!

Did you know that TOA had a major hand in the Japanese Karaoke boom? 

Much like TOA Corporation itself, karaoke too originated in Kobe. Familiar to most would be the dedicated spaces in Japan known as "Karaoke boxes" that began popping up in the mid-80s, but before these dedicated spaces, a portable solution was required to empower a growing love of karaoke. Enter TOA’s MA-007 wireless music amplifier, a portable solution for karaoke performance that proved to be a major hit. 

It wasn’t long before a karaoke craze swept over Japan, and in the five years between the launch of the MA-007 and the development of karaoke boxes, TOA developed an even broader product lineup ranging from commercial to home-use equipment so that the joys of karaoke could be shared across Japan!

Nestled in the 1980s was one of the most impactful moments in TOA's 90 year history that is still visible today! Adopted in September of 1984 —exactly 50 years from the birth of the company itself— we transitioned over into the logo that you all know today! 

With this shift came the reinvigoration of our values, as the four corners of icon represent our four cornerstones of business:

These core values are what have allowed us to bring smiles to the public, through not only satisfying, but also reliable, reassuring, and emotive sound. For 90 Years! 

While we may be a bit biased, this is definitely one of our favourite moments in the history of TOA Corporation to this point!

Established in 1990, TOA Canada Corporation has served as the Canadian branch of TOA, delivering high-quality sound all across Canada for over 30 years! With our teams stationed across Canada, we ensure that Canadians in all provinces and territories all have devoted sound experts ready and capable of connecting you with your newest sound solution.  

A little-known fact, while 1990 would mark the official start for TOA Canada, at this point TOA had already made its mark on the Canadian market. This was achieved through multiple TOA satellite offices located in Alberta and Ontario, and served as the precursor to TOA Canada Corporation itself.