Rinnai was established on September 1, 1920, by Hidejiro Naito and Kanekichi Hayashi. The company’s name combines one character from each founder’s surname (“Rin” from Hayashi’s Japanese name and “Nai” from Naito).

The company initially manufactured pressurized oil cooking stoves. During the 1920s and 1930s, it expanded into gas-powered appliances, including cooking ranges, ovens, water heaters, and space heaters, helping to modernize household cooking and heating in Japan.

During World War II, Rinnai temporarily shifted its production to aircraft components under government supervision. After the war, it resumed manufacturing household gas appliances and gradually rebuilt its business. By the 1950s and 1960s, the company had become a major player in Japan’s rapidly growing home appliance market. [2]

Beginning in the 1970s, Rinnai expanded internationally by establishing manufacturing plants and subsidiaries throughout Asia and later in Australia, Europe, and North America.

Today, the company maintains operations across:

• Japan

• South Korea

• China

• Taiwan

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Indonesia

• Malaysia

• Singapore

• Australia

• New Zealand

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• Italy

• Brazil

• Peru

• Middle East markets

Its global network includes dozens of subsidiaries, manufacturing plants, and sales offices serving residential and commercial customers worldwide. [3]

Rinnai manufactures a wide range of residential and commercial appliances, including:

Residential

• Gas cooktops

• Built-in hobs

• Gas stoves

• Gas ranges

• Electric induction cooktops

• Range hoods

• Built-in ovens

• Tankless water heaters

• Storage water heaters

• Gas boilers

• Home heating systems

• Space heaters

• Fireplaces

Commercial

• Commercial water heating systems

• Restaurant cooking equipment

• Industrial boilers

• Commercial kitchen appliances

• Hospitality and institutional hot-water systems

The company is particularly well known internationally for its tankless (on-demand) water heaters, which heat water only when needed, improving energy efficiency compared with traditional storage-tank systems. More than 30 million Rinnai tankless water heaters have been installed worldwide. [4]

Rinnai focuses heavily on:

• Energy-efficient combustion technologies

• Low-emission gas appliances

• Smart home integration

• Water-saving technologies

• Hybrid heating systems

• Heat pump technologies

• Hydrogen-ready and carbon-reduction solutions

The company’s research and development efforts aim to reduce energy consumption while improving comfort and safety. [5]

Rinnai’s corporate mission is:

“Rinnai utilizes heating to provide society with a comfortable way of life.”

Its business philosophy emphasizes:

• Safety

• Quality

• Environmental responsibility

• Customer satisfaction

• Sustainable innovation

The company invests significantly in products designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. [6]

Rinnai operates manufacturing facilities in several countries, including:

• Japan

• South Korea

• China

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Vietnam

• Australia

These factories produce appliances for both local and international markets while maintaining standardized quality control systems. [7]

As of fiscal year 2026:

• Founded: 1920

• Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan

• Employees: Approximately 11,300 (consolidated)

• Group companies: 52

• Annual consolidated sales: Approximately ¥470 billion

• Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market) and Nagoya Stock Exchange (Premier Market) under securities code 5947. [8]

Rinnai promotes sustainable manufacturing through:

• Development of high-efficiency gas appliances

• Reduction of carbon emissions

• Resource conservation

• Recycling initiatives

• Water-saving technologies

• Research into hydrogen-compatible heating systems

The company publishes integrated sustainability reports detailing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. [9]

Rinnai re-entered the Philippine market in 2009 through a partnership with Mitsui Philippines. Initially introducing tabletop gas stoves, the brand later expanded its lineup to include built-in hobs, gas and electric ranges, and other kitchen appliances. Rinnai has also developed a nationwide service network to support Filipino customers. [10]

Rinnai has earned a reputation for:

• Japanese engineering and manufacturing quality

• Durable construction

• Reliable gas combustion technology

• Energy-efficient appliances

• Strong emphasis on safety features

Its tankless water heaters are particularly popular in North America, Australia, and Japan, while its gas cooking appliances have a strong presence throughout Asia. [11]

1. Company Overview | About Us | Rinnai Corporation

2. About Rinnai｜Rinnai Global

3. Corporate History | Rinnai

4. Rinnai Report 2021 (Integrated Report)

5. Rinnai Global

6. Rinnai Group | About Us | Rinnai Corporation

7. About Us | Rinnai Corporation

8. Rinnai Report 2023 (Integrated Report)

9. About Us – Rinnai

10. 沿革 | 企業情報 | リンナイ株式会社

11. Rinnai