In 1946, Minoru Yoneyama founded Yoneyama Company, Ltd., a producer of wooden floats for fishing nets. His wood crafting business thrived until modern advancements - namely plastic floats - forced the company out of the float business. At this time, frustrated by being pushed aside by advanced technology, Yoneyama vowed never again to be left behind technologically. Thus, he began a commitment that eventually led to innovations in the world of golf, tennis, and badminton. Relying on strengths in wood crafting, the Yoneyama Company evolved into manufacturing badminton racquets in 1957 under other brand names.
In 1961, the first "Yoneyama" brand badminton racquet was introduced. Two years later, Yoneyama Trading, Ltd., was established in Tokyo to distribute the racquets internationally.The company's commitment to innovation attracted significant attention in 1969 when Yoneyama introduced the world's first aluminum badminton racquet, the #700. Today, Yonex is the leading distributor worldwide of badminton racquets with over 80% of competitive players using the equipment.
In 1969, Yoneyama Company diversified into the tennis racquet industry.
In 1973, the company's new "YY" logo, the blue and green color combinations, were introduced and soon were a familiar sight on badminton and tennis courts around the globe. One year later, the company and brand name was changed to Yonex.
In 1980, Yonex commitment to innovation brought exciting changes to tennis racquet manufacturing with the introduction of the R-series. The R-1 was the world's first square or "isometric" tennis racquet and the super light R-7 was the first tennis racquet to win both the French Open and Wimbledon. Following the successful use of lightweight materials to build racquets, Yonex began to explore similar applications in golf clubs. Yonex decided to introduce the world's first all-graphite head driver, the Carbonex II. This was followed by the first graphite headed iron, aptly named the Carboniron.
In 1984, Yonex became the exclusive sponsor of the All England Badminton Championships. Prince Edward honored the tournament with his presence in 1987.
In 1989, Yonex launched the A.D.X. Widebody golf club line, the first manufacturer to feature widebody club heads. In that same year, an A.D.X. driver made the Guinness Book of World Records when it was used to hit a 412 yard drive, the longest drive ever in a PGA sanctioned event.
In 1990, Yonex signed tennis star Monica Seles, the latest of many world class players to endorse Yonex racquets.
With Yonex, Monica became the youngest woman player to achieve a World #1 Ranking and has won numerous "Grand Slam" titles.
In 1992, building on the success of the isometric design in tennis, Yonex introduced the world's first isometric widebody badminton racquet, the "Isometric 500". In August 1992, Yonex was present on two fronts as badminton entered the Olympic era. On the courts, Yonex players won every gold and silver medal awarded. In addition, Yonex was the official equipment supplier to the Olympic Games in Barcelona.
In 1994, Yonex became a listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Yonex signed a racket contract with a 14-year-old tennis prodigy, Martina Hingis.
In 1996, Yonex Teradomari Country Club was officially opened in Japan.
In 1996, Yonex introduced its first-ever metal driver, the Super A.D.X. Titanium. Followed by the introduction of the Super A.D.X. Titanium Hybrid irons, Yonex now has a complete set of irons and woods for golfers of all levels. In 1996, Monica Seles maintained her undefeated record at the Australian Open as she captured the ladies singles title using the Yonex SRQ-500 Long. Also, in 1996, the Wimbledon men's singles final was an all-Yonex event with Richard Krajicek becoming the champion, using the new Super RD-tour. Meanwhile up and coming Yonex star, 15-year-old Martina Hingis, became the youngest ever Wimbledon Champion as she won the ladies doubles title. In January 1997, Yonex complements the titanium line with the introduction of the Super A.D.X. Titanium Senior woods and irons.
In early 1997, 16-year-old Martina Hingis wins the Australian Open with the Pro RD 70-Long and moves to #1 in the world rankings, following in the footsteps of fellow Yonex player Monica Seles. At 16 years, 6 months, she became the youngest player to achieve number one world ranking status.
In 1997, Minoru Yoneyama, founder of Yonex, became Chairman of Yonex Group and appointed Kosaku Yoneyama as new President of Yonex. The company introduced the Pendulum Power System (P.P.S.) to its line of titanium woods and irons, resulting in a shaft 30% lighter than standard graphite shafts.
In 1997, Yonex staff member, Scott Hoch, was named to the Ryder Cup Team. He also won the Greater Milwaukee Open, the eighth PGA Tour win of his professional career.
In November 1997, Scott Hoch signed a multi-year extension to play Yonex golf equipment. In 1998, Scott enters his tenth year with the company.
In 1998, the Yonex Sports Development Foundation was established to support all levels of youth, high school, and university sports development and education. This was established as a non-profit foundation. At the 1998 PGA Show in Orlando, Yonex introduced stainless steel woods and irons with P.P.S. shaft technology - the Super A.D.X. 200 line. March 1998 marked the first time in Yonex history that Yonex had world ranked #1 tennis players for both men and ladies with Marcelo Rios and Martina Hingis. Yonex signed a Tennis Racket Contract with young Australian Lleyton Hewitt.
In January 1999, Martina Hingis won her third consecutive Australian Open title for both singles and doubles using her Yonex racquet.
In 1999, Yonex became Title Sponsor of Japanese Ladies Pro Golf Association Event at Yonex Teradomari Country Club. The event was named Yonex Ladies Open.
In March 1999, Chairman Minoru Yoneyama received the Special Meritorious Award from Badminton Association of England, for his continuous support to All England Badminton Championship. This award was handed to Chairman Minoru Yoneyama from Prince Andrew, at the sight of the 100th All England Badminton Championship.
In 2000, Yonex became the Official Badminton Equipment Supplier of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
At the Sydney Olympics, Yonex racket won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. In 2000, Yonex signed Monica Seles to a "full" contract including Tennis Racket, Shoes, and Apparel. In 2000, Yonex introduced the first V-mass series of golf clubs. The V-mass 250 featured metal head wood clubs with strategic Tungsten Weight Balance. The V-mass 250 reconfirmed Yonex's commitment to long distance through superlative technology. In 2001, Lleyton Hewitt won The U.S. Open and became the youngest number one player in history at the end of the year. In 2001, Yonex introduced the new V-mass 350, titanium head wood. Concurrently, the V-mass 350 iron was launched featuring a strategic Tungsten Weight Balanced cavity back.
The V-mass 350 features the proprietary Ultimum Ti composite graphite shaft, which generates more club head speed. The V-mass 350 driver was chosen as "Best of the Best Drivers" by Rankmark in 2001. In 2001, Scott Hoch won two PGA Tournaments using the V-mass 350 Driver. Scott Hoch now holds the PGA Tour's record for Career Top 10 Finishes. By virtue of his best year ever, Scott was selected to the 2001 Ryder Cup Team. Chairman Minoru Yoneyama was decorated by the Japanese Government for his contribution through sports.
In 2002, Yonex introduced the new V-mass 350 Plus Driver with a 330cc Titanium head and the V-mass 400 Driver with 400cc Titanium head featuring High Power-Wave Face which creates extra power, distance, and larger impact sweet zone. And like the V-mass 350 driver in 2001, the V-mass 350 Plus driver has been chosen as 'Best of the Best Drivers' by Rankmark in 2002.
2001 marked the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Yoneyama Company. Today, Yonex is a successful global company with its corporate headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan. Subsidiary companies operate around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Yonex continues to be driven to produce the most technologically advanced sports equipment to benefit and enable players at every level to play their sport at a higher level.