HISTORY OF ENELOOP
SANYO RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Sanyo started producing NiCd batteries around 1964, and NiMH batteries from 1990 acccording to wikipedia.
2000
On October 4, 2000 Sanyo acquired the NiMH battery business from the Toshiba Group.
JP
2001
And on April 27,2001 established the subsidiary Sanyo Energy in Takasaki, Gunma, Japan called officially Sanyo Energy Takasaki Co. Ltd.
2003
In April 2003, they merged with Sanyo Energy Kaizuka Co, and changed their name to Sanyo Energy Twicell Co. Ltd
This is quoted from their own words: "The word Twicell comes from the desire to be a company that allows twinkling employees (Twinkle), twisted (Twine), twice the power (Twice) to be demonstrated."2006
In 2006 eneloop universe was established, which would produce all kinds of gadgets including portable solar panels.
2007
The eneloop battery line-up expanded with the production of C and D size batteries.
2010
Sanyo Energy Twicell Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Energy Tottori Co., Ltd. shares were transferred from Sanyo Electric, and renamed their company names to FDK Twicell Corporation and FDK Tottori Co. Ltd. Panasonic kept buying their eneloop batteries from this company.
Eneloop XX came on the market as a High capacity eneloop cell, that would have a higher capacity as standard eneloops, but with a lower cycle life.
June 2010: eneloop announced the production of Eneloop Lite batteries, which have a lower capacity than standard eneloops but can be be charged more times, and are less prone to increased internal resistance. Good for low drain devices.
2013
April 26, 2013, eneloop officially became a Panasonic brand. By doing this, the trademark of the SANYO brand in Japan was terminated.
2014
Panasonic started producing eneloop batteries in China. The "made in China" eneloops are available in the Asian market, including New Zealand and Australia. The Made in Japan batteries for the Japanese -, North American- and European market.
2016
Panasonic celebrated they shipped 400 million eneloop batteries worldwide.