History
1919-1921

1919

Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki - the firm's Founder tests and confirms that generous amounts of glycogen are contained in oyster broth.

1921

The nutritious candy - Glico Caramel is created and test-marketed.

The heart-shaped caramel product, “Glico”, featured the distinctive red package of the Glico logo and a marathon runner with arms raised in the air resembling victory.

1922-1945

1922

Sales of Glico Caramel commence at the Mitsukoshi Department Store on February 11, the date that is celebrated today as the company’s founding day.

Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki had frequently approached the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Osaka thinking that good products would not be considered first-rate unless they were available from a leading sales channel. After several efforts, he finally succeeded in his product to be accepted by the prestigious retailer. Despite several difficulties after that, strong sales efforts along with the improvement of taste resulted in sales channel expansion.

1925

The Toyosaki plant commences operations in the Toyosaki district of Kita-ku (North Ward) in Osaka city.

1927

As Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki considered “The two most important missions of children are eating and playing!” in 1922, "Picture cards" which can be said to be the roots of Glico’s toys were enclosed with caramels. In 1927, Small toys are enclosed with caramels replaced by picture cards. Two years later, in 1929, the packaging was redesigned with the small toy placed at the top of each box.

1931

Glico Caramel Vending Machine with Built-in Movie make their appearance in various Tokyo department stores.

The Osaka factory commences operations in the Utajiima area of Nishi-Yodogawa ward in Osaka. This site is the current location of Glico’s headquarters.

1932

The Dalian factory commences operations as part of an expansion into China and Southeast Asia.

1934

The Mother and Child Health Foundation establishes prior to the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan.

Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki had long wanted to act on the teachings of both his father and his business mentor that people with means should contribute to the community. Acting on this, Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki provided the necessary funds and property to establish the prestigious organization.

1935

Displayed with neon lights, makes its appearance in the Dotonbori area in the south part of Osaka.

The neon sign of Glico in Dotonbori is still one of the tourist attractions. The 1st generation Glico sign is 33 meters high. Over the years, several changes were incorporated into the Glico sign. The second generation, which has a special stage, the third generation of the fountain neon tower, and current generation, the 6th, has replaced the neon lights with a new LED screen that has been lighting up the Dotonbori area in Osaka since 2014.

1937

The Tokyo factory commences operations.

1945

All assets, including the Osaka and Tokyo are destroyed prior to the end of the Second World War.

1946-1970

1951

The Osaka and Tokyo factories are rebuilt and commence operations.

1953

The Kyushu factory commences operations.

1956

Ezaki Glico Foods Co., Ltd.is established.
Glico Dairy Co., Ltd. is established.

1957

The production of wheat starch products commences.

1966

7 of Glico’s dairy companies merge to form Glico Dairy Co., Ltd.

1970

Business activities commence in Asia with the establishment of Thai Glico Co., Ltd.

1971-1995

1972

Glico Museum opens in Osaka

Glico Museum opens to commemorate Glico’s 50th anniversary. A display of approximately 4,000 of the toys included in the Glico Caramel boxes, along with items related to Mr. Ri-ichi Ezaki - the firm's Founder - are featured as his various reference materials. This museum was approved as a modernized industrial heritage by the Ministry of Economy in 2008 and registered in 2017 by Osaka city as a landscape resource.

1982

Ezaki Glico Foods Co., Ltd. and Glico Ham Co., Ltd. merge to establish Glico Nutrition Co., Ltd.
General Biscuit Glico France (GBGF) is established and starts selling Pocky in Europe under the name of “Mikado”

1986

The Biochemical Research Laboratory is established focusing on biotechnology.

1988

Glicopia Kobe opens, offering first-hand views of the production processes for Pocky and PRETZ.

As of June 15, 2017, 2 million visitors have visited Glicopia.

1992

The new corporate logo, the corporate philosophy of “A Wholesome Life in the Best of Taste”, and the Glico spirit of “Achieve Innovation, Cheerfulness, and the Thrill of the Positive” are announced.

1995

Shanghai Glico Co., Ltd. is established.

1996-

1996

Glico’s website goes live.

1998

The 5th generation Glico sign lights up featuring symbols of Osaka that includes Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium, the present Kyocera Dome Osaka, and Tsutenkaku Tower.

1999

November 11th is officially established as “Pocky & PRETZ Day”

2000

Becoming a wholly owned Glico subsidiary, Glico Dairy Co., Ltd. renames Glico Dairy Products Co., Ltd.
Glico headquarters and all production facilities acquire the ISO14001 Environmental Management System Certification.

2001

ICREO, the baby formula maker / seller, joins Glico Group.

2002

The Office Glico business unit commences full-scale operations.
The code of conduct for the Glico Group is published.

2003

Ezaki Glico USA Co., Ltd. is established.

2010

The Glico Wagon travels all over Japan from December 2010 to February 2011 to deliver smiles to everyone along its route.

2012

Glico Nutrition Co., Ltd. splits into Glico Ham Co., Ltd. and Glico Nutrition Co., Ltd.
Glicopia East opens.
Sales of Pocky commence in Indonesia and Vietnam.

2013

Sales of Pocky commence in Korea.
Glico-Wings is established in Indonesia.

2014

All shares of Glico Ham are transferred to another company.
Sales of Pocky commence in Malaysia.
PT. Glico Indonesia is established in Jakarta.
The 6th generation Glico sign lights up utilizing LEDs.

2015

17 manufacturing companies, Glico’s marketing department, and the SCM division acquire the Food Safety Management System FSSC 22000 Certification.
Glico Frozen (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is established.
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. merges with Glico Dairy Products Co., Ltd.

2016

Ice cream sales commence in Thailand.
Chiba Ice Cream Co., Ltd. facilities expand.
The production and sales of ice cream commence in Indonesia.
Glico Channel Create Co., Ltd. is established.

2017

Glico Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is established.
Glico Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. is established.
Glicopia Chiba opens.

2018

TCHO Ventures, Inc becomes a wholly owned Ezaki Glico subsidiary.
Glico Philippines, Inc. is established.
Glicopia Kobe reopens after renovation..

2019

Icreo Co., Ltd. effects absorption-type company split and Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. succeeds all of Icreo’s operations other than manufacturing functions.
Kansai Frozen Co., Ltd. merges with Shojikiya-Nyuhan Dairy Co., Ltd.
Glico North America Holdings, Inc. is established.
Ezaki Glico Vietnam Co., Ltd. is established.