Slik

SLIK starts to produce its first Tripod in 1948

SLIK has been quietly designing and manufacturing high-quality tripods for more than 70 years.

SLIK has won 6 prestigious Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) “Good Design” (G-Mark) awards.

SLIK’s original and innovative designs have become industry standards.

1948

Birth of SLIK Tripods

Takatoshi Shiraishi San, a mechanical engineer and photography enthusiast, began designing and creating his own tripods by himself in the suburb of Tokyo, Japan when he was 23 years old.

The first brand name was “ALPS” . It was changed to  “SLICK” at the beginning of the 1950s.

1956

Incorporation of a company

Mr.Shiraishi founded SLICK Elevator Tripod Co., Ltd. and at the same time, SLICK introduced “SLICK Master” tripod for professional and press photographers .

1963

Change of Company Name

The company name was changed to SLICK Tripod Co., Ltd.

SLICK introduced a unique multi-action head that could reach all angles with one pan handle.

1967

Construction of New Hidaka Factory

The “Hidaka” factory was constructed  in Saitama Prefecture, Japan for  mass production.

SLICK “Master Deluxe” and SLICK “Goodman Ace” tripods received “Good Design Awards” (G-Mark) by The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan.

SLICK Tripod Sales Co., Ltd. was created as a separate business entity from SLICK Tripod Co., Ltd. to focus exclusively on sales of the products.

1974

New SLIK Logo

The “SLICK” in the company name was changed to “SLIK”.

1977

Multi-Function System

SLIK started to sell the new model “88M” tripod, which has various functions that are commonplace today, such as the simple movement from low position to high position, lever leg locks, quick release shoe system, etc.

It received “Good Design Award”(G-Mark) by the MITI of Japan in this year.

1987

SLIK America, Inc.

SLIK America, Inc. was established in New York, U.S.A. for the sales in U.S. market.

1988

Slik (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Slik(Thailand) Co., Ltd. was established and a factory constructed in the suburb of Bangkok, Thailand to meet the increasing demands for good quality inexpensive tripods without using any outside manufacturing.

The unique trigger style Ball Head “AF2100” received “Good Design Award” (G-Mark) by the MITI of Japan.

1989

SLIK Corporation

Slik Tripod Sales Co., Ltd. merged back into Slik Tripod Co., Ltd. and the single company was named SLIK CORPORATION.

1994

U-series Tripods

SLIK tripod model “U 8000” (made in Thailand factory) received “Good Design Awards” (G-Mark) by The MITI of Japan. 

1997

New Ball Head & A.M.T. Tripods

SLIK “Ball Head 800” (made in Thailand factory) received “Good Design Awards” (G-Mark) by The MITI of Japan. Introduction of the new alloy of SLIK A.M.T. (Aluminium, Magnesium and Titanium) and then, started sales of our tripod model “PRO 700DX” and monopod “PRO POD 600” using this new alloy in the legs.

1999

Carbon Fibre Products

Begun the production and sales of new Carbon fibber tripod model “PRO 803CF”, “PRO 804CF” and monopod “PRO POD 380”.

2001

New SLIK

Became a member of Kenko Co., Ltd. (now, Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.)

2012

The 2nd Factory in Thailand

The 2nd factory in Thailand was opened at Saraburi,

Thailand after the heavy damage by large-scale flood at the original first factory at Navanakorn in 2011.

2018

TO THE NIGHTLY SKY & TIME-LAPSE

SLIK expands product range to the astronomical photography. ASTRA sky tracker is the ideal piece for not only astronomical photography but also unique time-lapse shooting.