Sunstar history

In 1933, he started selling rubber glue for puncture repair packed in a small metal tubes.

Doctor Charles C. Bass, a physician and Dean of Tulane University Medical School, began studying dental diseases upon his retirement in 1940.

In 1946, the company took its first step into the oral care business by developing its first toothpaste in a metal tube.

In 1948, the company started to sell medical toothpaste.

Doctor Butler sold the company to an investment group in 1949 and they expanded the business, adding new products, a field sales force, penetration in the retail market, and overseas operations or distributors in over 50 foreign countries.

In 1950, four predecessor companies merged to establish Sunstar, Inc in Japan.

Shortly after that, in 1953, the production of toothbrushes began.

In 1955, Sunstar Group was established to organize sales dealerships in Japan.

In 1972, Sunstar enters the luggage business with Lark Luggage Company.

By 1976, Sunstar leads the hair care sector with VO5.

With the introduction of Periocline in 1990 in Japan, Sunstar strengthens its portfolio in the fight against periodontal disease with the world’s first antibiotic treatment for within the oral cavity.

Developed to absorb and remove dental plaque, Ora² was launched in 1998 in Japan.

2002 Later in the year, an expert meeting on oral hygiene and systemic health was held in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together medical and dental experts, WHO and NGO (non-governmental organization) representatives.

2003 With the aim of promoting research on oral and general health, Sunstar World Perio Research Award was established to honor outstanding papers published in the world’s leading periodontal and dental journals.

In 2004, Sunstar acquired Braking S.p.A. (now Sunstar Engineering Europe GmbH – Italian Branch), an Italian manufacturer of brake discs for innovation in the motorcycle business.

In 2005, the premium quality skin care range “EQUITANCE” was launched.

2009 In January, the Hiroo Kaneda Research Grant was established.

In 2011, Sunstar acquired the Interbros GmbH company in Germany to increase the production capacity of toothbrushes and interdental brushes, and launched the new product “GUM Soft-Picks”, the interdental rubber brush that helped expand sales globally.

In 2013, the Singapore factory established its new product development center for the Industrial and Consumer businesses.

In 2014, the fine blanking automobile metal parts was expanded in Indonesia and Thailand.

In 2015, the second headquarters building in Etoy, Switzerland, was completed.

In 2016, a new factory and development center for the consumer business was opened in Chicago, USA. The new product “BUTLER GrindCare” was launched in Europe as a new business category for managing sleep bruxism.

2017 In November, the first Takatsuki Citizens’ Iki Iki Health Lecture “A healthy body starts with a healthy mouth — you can enjoy delicious food with your own mouth forever” was held to promote understanding of the importance of oral and general health.

In 2018, a new sales office for the consumer business was opened in Poland.

© 2019 SunStar Company.