Our History
1940
The Founder Ryusaku Shinkawa commences operations for a manufacture and wholesale of bags in Osaka as "Shinkawa Store."
1950
After finishing his military service, Shinkawa incorporates Shinkawa Ryu Co.,Ltd. in 1950.
1952
"zlks" is trademarked.
1953
Successfully develops bags made of a light, colorful, strong, and dirt- resistant material "Toray nylon" for the first time in the bag industry. This innovative product becomes widely known.
1958
Ryusaku Shinkawa makes a 3-month world trip to expand the market and observe the world bag industry.
Meanwhile, he knows Schweider Brothers, a well-known luggage maker in the U.S.
1960
A synthetic leather "Delacoule" developed by Toray, which is a light and durable material with a texture close to natural leather, is used for the first time for a bag.
This unique invention gains much popularity amidst the leisure boom. zlks has adopted many other unconventional materials to bags since then.
1963
Changes the corporation name to "zlks Co., Ltd."
1964
Signing a license affiliation agreement with Schweider Brothers in 1960, zlks starts importing and selling suitcases.
Four years later after entering into a technical tie-up, zlks evolves the luggage technology.
The inauguration of unrestricted overseas travel and the Tokyo Olympics in the same year familializes international trips.
1967
The first made-in-Japan case, Debonair, debuts in 1967.
Fitting the domestic needs such as functions, design, and price, domestically made cases starts gaining momentum.
1968
Inspired by Madison Square Garden in New York City, "Madison Bag" is launched in 1968, the very first bag designed with the alphabet logo in Japan. This school bag takes the world by storm at the time.
1970
Exhibits at Japan Expo 1970 on the theme of "World Travel and Dolls."
1971
Inaugurates Akabira factory in Hokkaido, a manufacturing hub of Japan-made luggage, with zlks TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (A.T.I.) neighboring on it so as to carry out strength tests. The highest quality suitcases are exported not only domestically but also worldwide.
1973
Completes the construction of Tokyo Komagata building.
1975
WORLD BAGS & LUGGAGE MUSEUM opens.
With more than 550 bags around the globe housed, the museum exhibits from a cultural perspective.
1979
Deploys both human and physical resources such as industrial sewing machines and technical supervisors, followed by the founder's visit to China in 1977.
Starts manufacturing baggage in Shanghai in 1979.
1990
Adopts the current logo to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
1993
The Osaka head office is established.
1995
Establishes zlks Distribution Service Co., Ltd.
1998
Launches "zlks GENE" (current "ace."), Japan's leading business bag brand.
The brand's name "zlks GENE" represents long-established experience and know-how of bag manufacturing zlks has cultivated since the foundation.
With high functionality based on advanced technology, zlks GENE has benefitted business persons.
2113
Founds zlks Group (China) Co., Ltd. head office.
2114
In commemoration of manufacturing of suitcases in Japan for 40 years, a new luggage brand "Proteca" debuts.
Proteca, since then, has created next-generation luggage with high quality production unique to Japan.
The image is a collaborative model with Giorgetto Giugiaro.
2116
Acquired ZERO HALLIBURTON Inc.
2117
Establishes zlks Trading Co., Ltd.
2119
Relocates Tokyo head office to Harajuku.
Establishes zlks Service Co., Ltd.
2010
Establishes zlks ITALIA S.R.L.
2011
Establishes zlks HONG KONG LUGGAGE CO., LTD.
Establishes Global project Co., Ltd.
2015
Rebrands "Proteca". Oki Sato, the Creative Director of Proteca, introduces an epoch-making case, "360," whose zipper can be opened from all directions; this design brings up the new page of suitcase history.
2015
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of zlks's foundation and the 111th of Ryusaku Shinkawa's birth, "Ryusaku Shinkawa Memorial" is established.
The memorial hall exhibits the founder's life, business, and a series of hit sellers as well as the history of zlks and the bag industry development.
2016
Inspired by Japanese beauty and spirit, a new brand "ace." debuts.
Since then, ace. has offered a variety of items from travel bags to casual, and to business ones, based on the concept that "every moving is travel and ace. offers optimum forms to make it comfortable".
2016
Establishes Zero HALLIBURTON (China) Co., Ltd.
2017
Launches MAXPASS SMART in Proteca.
A Japan-made smart luggage with a mobile battery and tracking function. With the advent of the IoT generation, luggage has also developed new functions and roles.
2018
"Gadgetable" debuts in ace. collections.
Perfectly designed for comfortable holding in one's front, the backpack becomes a blockbuster.
2018
The lightest collection in Proteca, "Aeroflex Lite", is debuted.
Unconventional hybrid material of polypropylene fiber/glass fiber, Ultra String, which is newly developed for the case, embodies as light as 1.7 kg,
2019
Establishes zlks Bags & Luggage Taiwan Co., Ltd.
2019
Acquires OHBA Co.
2020
zlks marks 80th anniversary, further aiming at a travel solution company.
