KEY DATES

1923 Dr. John O. Butler, a periodontist from Chicago started the John O. Butler Company in 1923 with the introduction of a 2-row, 12 tuft, wide handled toothbrush. To learn more about Dr. Butler’s innovation, click here.

In 1946, Sunstar applied paste-filling technology to the development of a metallic tube toothpaste. This initial entry into oral care took place when toothpowder was in vogue, and was received with much fanfare. Since then, we have expanded our business under the company motto of "Striving Always to Improve People's Health and Standard of Lining".

September 1946

Kaneda Metallic Industrial is established. Begins manufacturing of toothpaste.

April 1952

Sunstar changes trade name to Sunstar Toothpaste Inc.

July 1952

Sunstar Toothbrush is established

August 1958

Sunstar Toothpaste completes main headquarters' factory and research facilities in Takatsuki, Osaka. Establishes unified organization for headquarters, research, and production in the next year

August 1973

Sunstar Toothbrush merges with Sunstar Toothpaste

July 1977

Sunstar Dental Health Promotion Organization is established, which opens a dental clinic in Senri, Osaka in September

September 1980

Sunstar Toothpaste forms alliance with British Beecham Group and introduces striped toothpaste technology

December 1980

Sunstar Toothpaste changes trade name to Sunstar

August 1988

Sunstar purchases John O. BUTLER Company in the U.S., sets up base for entry into world oral-care market.

September 1999

Sunstar's Tokushima factory toothbrush manufacturing process receives ISO9001 Certification.

April 2000

John O. BUTLER Company, Sunstar's US subsidiary, acquires two French distributors, Medicadent S.A.S. and Pharmadent S.A.S.

September 2000

Sunstar sponsors the 86th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology in conjunction with the Japanese Society of Periodontology

March 2001

Sunstar's Oral Care Business Unit receives ISO 9001 Certification for its toothpaste and toothbrush operations at Headquarters (Business Administration, Sales and Marketing), Takatsuki factories, Tokushima factories, Osaka Branch, and Hamuro Research Laboratories

2002

Sunstar Suisse SA is established in Lausanne, Switzerland as Sunstar’s Europe, Middle East, Africa Oral Care headquarter.