TOPCON believes that its gadgets are top of the line. The company designs and manufactures a variety of electronic instruments for use in industrial manufacturing, medical diagnostics, semiconductor manufacturing, and surveying. It also makes such optical devices as mirrors and infrared filters, along with optical units for image processing. TOPCON, which was founded in 1932 as the surveying instruments division of what is now Seiko Corporation, has offices and subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is its primary shareholder, owning about 35% of TOPCON. The company has acquired rival Sokkia to improve its competitive position in Japan and also overseas.