Aiwa electronics

Aiwa is a storied Japanese electronics brand with a complex history of ownership. Originally founded in 1951 as Aiko Denki Sangyo, the brand became a global household name for audio equipment, particularly cassette players and boomboxes. After being a majority-owned subsidiary of Sony for decades, Aiwa was fully absorbed by Sony in 2002 but was eventually discontinued in 2008.

Starting in 2015, the brand underwent a global revival. Trademark rights were sold or licensed to several independent entities. Since 2017, the primary global trademark holder is Towada Audio, a Japanese electronics manufacturer. However, the brand operates through a decentralized regional system: Aiwa Corporation (Chicago) handles North America, while various regional headquarters manage markets in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Consequently, manufacturing is highly diversified; products are primarily produced in China, but there are also significant manufacturing hubs in India, Brazil, and Malaysia to serve local and international markets.