Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Celebrates 50 Years!
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in the United States
On Thursday, June 6, 2025, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) celebrated its 50th anniversary during a special event at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore. This night marked a special milestone in SSI’s journey from a “startup” in 1975 to a recognized leader in the United States, a journey that has been marked by tremendous growth and success and a true commitment to providing customers with the best products, service, and support in the industry.
The President & CEO of Shimadzu Corporation, Yasunari Yamamoto attended our celebration. He shared his sincere belief in Shimadzu’s unwavering dedication to supporting our customers as their top partner. His inspiring message reinforced our resolve to reach new heights in growth, innovation, and excellence.
While 50 years is an incredible milestone, it’s also just the beginning. As Patrick Fromal, President of SSI, noted: “As we look to the future, we do so with great optimism and ambition. The next 50 years hold tremendous promise. We will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, advancing science and technology for the betterment of society.”
We were deeply honored to welcome a distinguished group of guests to Shimadzu Scientific Instruments’ 50th anniversary celebration. Among them was the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, the Honorable Aruna Miller, and Howard Count Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, whose presence underscored the strong relationship between Shimadzu and the local community. We were equally privileged to be joined by a representative from the Embassy of Japan, as well as several of our esteemed former presidents whose leadership helped shape our legacy. Their participation made the occasion even more meaningful, and we are sincerely grateful for their continued support and recognition of Shimadzu’s enduring commitment to innovation, partnership, and service in North America.
Milestones and Moments
Throughout its 50 years, SSI has marked many notable achievements:
- Opening U.S. R&D and application centers tailored to pharmaceutical, life science, and analytical chemistry markets
- Supporting major national labs and universities, helping drive innovation in everything from cancer diagnostics to aerospace materials testing
- Expanding sustainable practices, both in product development and internal operations
- Launching STEM education partnerships, including equipment donations, internships, and scholarships for aspiring scientists
- Spearheading solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical lab technologies
Each accomplishment reflects the dedication of the people behind Shimadzu’s name—engineers, scientists, service technicians, and business professionals united by a shared goal of pushing science forward.
Honoring the Kagami Biraki Ceremony
As part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, we honored the Japanese tradition of Kagami Biraki—a ceremonial sake barrel opening that symbolizes harmony, renewal, and shared success. The joyous ritual marked a meaningful moment in the event, reflecting on five decades of achievement while toasting to a future of continued growth and partnership. Surrounded by distinguished guests, including longtime collaborators, employees, and community leaders, the ceremony brought a festive and respectful nod to tradition and new beginnings.
A Journey Through Our Shared History
Speaking on behalf of the company’s former presidents, Mr. Shuzo Maruyama, who served as our President from 2011-2015, reflected on the legacy of leadership that helped shape the company’s enduring success. In his remarks, he acknowledged the collective dedication, vision, and resilience of those who came before and after him, noting that each chapter of leadership contributed to the company’s reputation for excellence and innovation. Other former SSI presidents who attended the event were Osamu Ando and Shingo Takimoto. While unable to attend, we also receiving congratulatory messages from former presidents Shigehiko Hattori, Takeshi Kawami, Katsuaki Kaito, and Yoshiaki Maeda. We were also honored to welcome former long-time employees Chris Gaylor, Len Poirier, and Pat O'Donnell, the 3rd employee at SSI.
Concluding with Harmony and Gratitude
To conclude the event on a high note, we embraced the traditional Japanese custom of Sanbon-jime — a ceremonial rhythmic hand clap performed in unison to express appreciation, unity, and closure. Led by Mr. Shunei Matoba, the audience joined in three rounds of coordinated clapping, symbolizing gratitude for the occasion and shared hope for continued success. This spirited tradition brought a memorable and heartfelt close to the celebration, reinforcing a sense of camaraderie and cultural respect among all attendees.
A Golden Thank You
Fifty years is a rare and meaningful milestone. Shimadzu Scientific Instruments owes its continued success to the passion of its employees, the trust of its customers, and the strength of its global organization. To all who have been part of this journey—thank you. Your partnership fuels our pursuit of precision, innovation, and impact. Here’s to the next 50 years—and to a future powered by science.
