Epson at 50: Shaping the World Through Technology
Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, “Epson”) today marks the 50th anniversary of the Epson brand. Since its inception in 1975, Epson has built a global reputation by upholding the values of creativity, challenge, integrity, and effort. Drawing on its origins in watchmaking in 1942, Epson has continuously developed its efficient, compact, and precise technologies into products that have shaped industries and enriched lives across the world.
Epson: Our First Innovation and its “Sons”
The name “Epson” was born from the EP-101, the world’s first compact digital printer, with the ambition to produce many “sons” of this original innovation. That ambition has resulted in decades of product excellence and customer trust, with a presence spanning home, office, commercial, and industrial domains.
Printing Solutions
In 2010, Epson launched high-capacity ink tank printers based on customer feedback in Indonesia; today, Epson is ranked the No.1 ink tank printer brand with more than 100 million units sold worldwide in over 170 countries*1
Epson’s Precision Core printhead technology extended Epson’s reach to develop a wide range of products, not only for the home and office but also for commercial and industrial applications. Epson’s printheads are recognized for their outstanding quality and are widely used in third-party printers, making Epson a leading supplier of printheads used in industrial inkjet machines. Epson’s professional large-format printers and textile solutions, like the Monna Lisa 160B, support sustainable small-lot production, while the Sure Press series meets the short-run packaging needs of fast-moving industries.
Visual Communications
Epson’s LCD projector journey began in 1989 with the VPJ-700, followed by the ELP-3000 in 1994, offering triple brightness in a portable form. Key to Epson’s projectors are high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) panels, which ensure vibrant, high-quality images using semiconductor-grade fabrication techniques.
Manufacturing and Wearables
Epson has led in factory automation since launching its SCARA-type industrial robots in 1983. Compact, fast, and precise, these robots support flexible production across sectors such as automotive, electronics, and healthcare. Epson has secured and maintained the world’s top market share*4 in terms of sales revenue in the industrial SCARA robot segment. By integrating vision and force-sensing technology, the robots now handle delicate, human-like tasks, helping manufacturers boost productivity and address labor shortages. Their use has expanded beyond factories into life sciences and research settings, where precision is critical.
In horology, Epson launched the world’s first quartz watch in 1969 and introduced innovations like the TV watch and self-winding quartz models. The acquisition of Orient Watch Company in 2009 expanded Epson’s presence in mechanical watches. Meanwhile, Epson’s quartz crystal devices – grown in-house – are essential in modern electronics, used in smartphones, drones, and infrastructure monitoring. Epson ranks among the world’s top manufacturers of these components
Delivering Globally
Epson’s global journey began with manufacturing in Singapore in 1968 and sales operations in the U.S. in 1975. Over the decades, Epson has developed a strong international network with key production sites in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and regional headquarters in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, and China. Local insights have driven innovation, such as ink tank printers initially launched in Indonesia. In 2023, Epson expanded into the Middle East and Africa through a new sales company in Dubai, strengthening support in emerging markets.
Epson Has Expanded a Global, Diverse Customer Base
Epson technologies have become essential across fields – from home printing and digital art to projection mapping and collaborative robotics. Our print solutions serve professional photographers, designers, and educators, while our projectors support both business presentations and large-scale events. Industrial robots and crystal devices help drive precision agriculture, automation, and infrastructure resilience. This wide application is anchored by our commitment to reliable, high-quality products and sustainability.
Enhancing innovation in the Middle East
In addition to bringing cutting edge innovation to an array of sectors, Epson is also ensuring that its commitment to innovation reaches all regions. In February 2025, Epson opened its state-of-the-art Innovation Centre at Dubai Production City, part of TECOM Group PJSC. Showcasing Epson’s latest technology solutions with a mission to reimagine how technology contributes to a better future, the Centre reflects the company’s vision for industry sustainability and innovation. Equipped with the latest industry tools and equipment, Epson’s Innovation Centre will spearhead advances in printing, scanning, visual display, manufacturing, and lifestyle solutions. The regional hub will also enable customers and partners to contribute local insights into the design and development of next-generation technologies by providing a direct connection between the team on the ground and Epson’s research and development (R&D) centers in Japan.
