Aiphone Corporation.

Established 1948

1700 l30th Ave., NE

P.O. Box 90075

Bellevue, WA 98005-9860

Phone: [phone] * Fax: [phone]

Toll Free [phone]

Web site: www.aiphone.com

In 1948, Toshio Ichikawa started Aiphone Company Limited in Nagoya, Japan, with a simple concept: to bring people into direct communication even when separated by space and physical barriers. Today, Aiphone has developed the widest range of communications products in the industry. The company designed products specifically for the long-term care industry because it saw a need and decided to fill it.

The first Aiphone intercoms were mass-produced in 1951. The company began manufacturing transistor-type intercoms in 1960. In 1970, Aiphone opened a U.S. subsidiary called Aiphone Corporation. Owned jointly with Hosoda Trading Company, Tokyo, Aiphone Corporation has furthered the company's reputation for quality throughout North America.

Aiphone's first product was a two-way intercom. In 1977, Aiphone developed the NHX Nurse Center for healthcare facilities because the company saw a need for it. Aiphone discovered that some facilities were using any one of the company's wide variety of intercoms for nurse stations, even though this was not their intended use.

The Aiphone NHX Nurse Center, a staff alert and communication system, provides call tones and light signals to indicate levels of urgency, plus the convenience of voice communication. The NHX Nurse Center offers both a bedside and a bathroom station for each resident's room. Two call levels distinguish bathroom station calls from routine bedside calls. An urgent call station is also available for common area restrooms.

Because of its simplicity of operation, NHX Nurse Center requires little staff training. With work space at a premium, the 50-call Master Station takes up no more surface space than a standard sheet of paper. It fits easily on a counter, desk or wall and can be expanded to 80 stations.

Another product Aiphone designed especially for the healthcare industry in 1997 is the Aiphone Freedom Environment Control System (ECS). For residents with limited mobility, it lends a hand in controlling devices needed for everyday living. On a bed or wheelchair, the Freedom ECS enables users to control electrical and electronic devices by simply inhaling or exhaling (sipping or puffing) into a straw on the activator unit.

Each device the system controls is identified by a symbol on the display panel, with LED status indicators showing the devices in use. The system can control up to 16 types of equipment including: lights, heating and cooling systems, remote control TV, VCR and sound systems, motorized bed, room-to-room or door answering intercoms, electric door releases and any other device activated by a relay, switch or infrared control.

Aiphone focuses on uncompromising quality control and continues to develop products that are simple, convenient to use and durable. Aiphone has the lowest return rate in its industry. As a result, it is the first and only intercom manufacturer to earn the Deming prize--the highest honor for quality control in Japanese industry.

Aiphone believes that as the population continues to age, more and more people will need long-term care. The company plans to continue to provide quality products to meet these growing needs. Aiphone would like to be recognized by future historians as the most reliable intercom manufacturer, providing the highest quality products in the industry.

A history of innovation and reliability

1951 FirstAiphone intercoms are mass-produced.

1954 Aiphone becomes an internationally registered brand name.

1960 Aiphone begins manufacturing transistor-type intercoms.

1970 Aiphone opens a U.S. subsidiary, Aiphone Corporation, near Seattle, Washington.

1977 Aiphone applies Total Quality Control procedures to all phases of design, production and distribution.

1981 Aiphone becomes the first intercom manufacturer to earn the Deming Prize--the most prestigious international award for quality control.

1990 Aiphone becomes a publicly traded company listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange.

1991 Aiphone receives a GSA (General Services Administration) contract as a recognized supplier to the U.S. government.

1993 Aiphone becomes the first manufacturer worldwide to receive ISO 9001 certification, recognized internationally as the hallmark of production quality standards.

1995 Aiphone Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary, celebrates its 25th anniversary.