Timeline

1942-1979

Corporate History

Major Products

1942

May

Daiwa Kogyo Ltd. (the predecessor of Seiko Epson Corporation) is established.

 

1956

 
June

Seiko Marvel:
An originally-designed mechanical watch that became the basis for Epson's watch business.

1959

May

Daiwa Kogyo takes over the business of the Suwa Plant of Daini Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Instruments, Inc.). The name is changed to Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd.

 

1961

December

Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. (name changed to Epson Corporation in 1982), is established.

 

1963

 
September

Printing Timer:
The electronic recording system for sporting events, measurerable to 1/1000 seconds.

Seiko Crystal Chronometer QC-951:
The world's first portable, high-accuracy, battery-operated quartz timer.

1964

October

The Seiko is selected as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd., a member of the Seiko Group at the time, supported it.

 

1968

August

Tenryu (Singapore) Pte., Ltd. (now Singapore Epson Industrial Pte. Ltd.), the first overseas manufacturing affiliate is established.

September

EP-101:
The world's first miniature digital printer, from which the Epson brand was born.

1969

 
December

Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ:
The world's first analog quartz watch that revolutionized horological history.

1970

 

SAM-D: The rare-earth bonded magnet that paved the way for Epson's magnet business.

1971

 
April

CMOS IC:
The watch chip that launched Epson's semiconductor business.

1973

 
October

Seiko Quartz LC V.F.A. 06LC:
The world's first digital quartz watch with a six-digit LCD.

1975

April

Epson America, Inc., the first overseas sales subsidiary, is established.

June

The Epson brand is established.

 

1977

 
June

Epson EX-1:
The first dedicated accounting computer to carry the Epson name.

1978

 
July

Melody IC SVM7910:
The world's first melody IC, taking full advantage of technology used in quartz watches.

1980-1989

Corporate History

Major Products

1980

 
October

MX-80:
Ahead of its time: A small, lightweight computer printer.

1981

 
August

Camera Auto-Dating Module for Photographs:
The camera date module that became the de facto standard in its class.

1982

October

Epson Electronics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Is established. ( now Epson Singapore Pte. Ltd.)

July

HX-20:
The world's first hand-held computer.

December

TV Watch:
The world's first television-watch, with an active-matrix LCD.

1983

May

Epson Sales Japan Co., Ltd. is established as a Japanese marketing company.

May

SSR-H Series:
A precision assembly robot - Epson's first commercialized factory automation product.

1984

 
August

ET-10:
The Televian - the world's first liquid crystal pocket color TV.

October

SQ-2000:
The first commercial Epson inkjet printer.

1985

January

Shonai Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd. (now Tohoku Epson Co., Ltd.) is established as a domestic manufacturer.

November

Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. and Epson Corporation merge to establish Seiko Epson Corporation.

 

1987

 
April

SG-615:
The plastic SMD crystal oscillator that became a de facto standard.

1988

 
January

Seiko AGS Quartz Watch:
The world's first automatic power generating quartz watch.

August

EVF Liquid Crystal Panel Module:
The world's first color liquid crystal panel module for video cameras.

1989

 
January

VPJ-700:
One of the world's first compact, full-color liquid crystal video projectors.

1990-1999

Corporate History

Major Products

1990

January

Epson Europe B.V., Epson's European regional headquarters, is established in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

TM-930:
A printer for PC-POS systems that created a new market.

1992

October

Complete elimination of CFCs from manufacturing processes is achieved at all factories and affiliates in Japan. Epson receives the 1992 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

1993

 
March

Monsieur:
The ultraminiature robot that propelled itself into the Guinness Book of Records.

Epson Stylus 800:
The first inkjet printer equipped with Micro Piezo technology.

July

SED1560 Series:
An LCD driver with on-chip, energy-saving power supply logic scores a big hit.

August

ECM-A0662:
The monochrome STN panel module at the forefront of LCD modules for mobile phones.

1994

April

ISO 9000 series certification for quality management system is acquired by all Epson plants in Japan.

April

HM-3000:
A high-speed IC test handler that makes full use of Epson's robotics technologies.

May

Epson Stylus Color:
The world's first 720 dpi color inkjet printer.

December

ELP-3000:
A liquid crystal data projector offering high brightness and high resolution.

1996

 
April

Epson Stylus Photo:
A six-color photo inkjet printer.

1997

 
January

SG-8000 Series:
The world's first programmable quartz oscillators with on-chip P-ROM & PLL circuits.

April

Seiko Super P-1:
The world's first backside progressive addition lens.

1998

February

The Seiko Group is chosen as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.

April

Epson (China) Co., Ltd. is established in Beijing as Epson's regional headquarters in China.

September

TM-H5000:
Featuring fast, quiet printing and copy functionality: Epson's first hybrid printer.

1999

 
November

ECM-A1192:
The low-power consumption STN transflective color LCD panel module that conquered the mobile phone market.

December

Seiko/ Credor Spring Drive:
A spring-drive watch with quartz accuracy.

2000-2009

Corporate History

Major Products

2000

May

ISO 14001 certification obtained for environmental management systems at all the Company's 68 major business sites around the world.

May

Epson Stylus Pro 9500:
A large-format pigment-ink printer combining super photo quality with outstanding lightfastness.

November

MD19SBT:
MD-TFD active matrix color LCD panel module with ultra-low power consumption.

2002

June

Epson receives the Corporate Innovation Recognition Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE).

 

2003

June

Epson is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

May

Monna Lisa 160B:
An inkjet digital textile printer.

2004

November

Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ, the world's first quartz wristwatch, receives prestigious IEEE Milestone Award.

March

Epson PictureMate Personal Photo Lab:
A compact easy-to-use portable photo printer.

2005

April

The global tagline 'Exceed Your Vision' is introduced to strengthen brand promotion worldwide.

May

Epson Telford Ltd. (ETL) received the 2004 Premier Award from the Business Commitment to the Environment(BCE).

August

In Japan, Epson wins a Prime Minister's Award for "monozukuri" (the art and science of manufacturing").

October

Epson Toyocom Corporation (now Miyazaki Epson Corporation) is established.

Epson sigened a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Shinshu University in Japan.

September

EMP-TWD1:
The DVD player-projector that opened up the home-theater market.

2006

July

Epson signs a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Tohoku University in Japan.

May

Photo Fine Vistarich:
An LCD with ultra-wide viewing angles.

July

EMP-6100:
A dust-proof projector that keeps particulate matter at bay.

2008

 
August

GS6000:
A Large-Format Printer with Stunning Image Quality for Signage and Displays.

September

Epson Stylus Photo PX700W:
An all-in-one inkjet printer with a slim body packed full of advanced functionss.

2009

March

Group company Orient Watch Co., Ltd. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary.

June

C3 Series:
Compact 6-Axis Robots.

October

ULTIMICRON Series:
A high-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD panel for electronic viewfinders.

2010-2019

Corporate History

Major Products

2010

March

Seiko Epson absorbs certain operations of Epson Imaging Devices Corp..

October

Seiko Epson receives the 2010 DEVNET Award for a tree-planting program in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

November

Seiko Epson enters into a joint development agreement with Tokyo Electron Ltd. to develop OLED display fabrication technology.

January

EB-450Wi:
A wall-mounted, ultra-short throw lens projector with interactive functionality

June

SurePress L-4033A:
An industrial inkjet digital label press

October

L100 & L200:
High-capacity ink tank inkjet printers

2011

October

Epson Precision (Philippines), Inc. begins operations at its new factory in the Philippines to increase projector and inkjet printer production capacity.

June

M-G350:
Precise, stable inertial measurement unit (IMU)

September

TM-T88V-I Series:
Web-based intelligent receipt printers for shops and restaurants

November

BT-100:
Binocular, see-through smart glasses

2012

March

Epson establishes the SE15 Mid-Range Business Plan (FY2012-14).

April

Seiko Epson absorbs certain operations of Epson Toyocom Corp..

June

Seiko Epson introduces independent outside directors.

May

SureColor series:
Models for full-scale entry into the signage and display printer market

August

SS700S:
Runsense Sports Monitor

September

SEIKO Astron:
Developed and launched the world's first GPS solar watch to support all 39 time zones1

1 World's first according to Epson research conducted in Feb. 2012. Sold by Seiko Watch Corporation.

2013

February

Seiko Epson transfers its optical products business to HOYA CORPORATION.

March

Epson establishes the Updated SE15 Mid-Range Business Plan (FY2013-15).

June

Epson begins operations on new inkjet printhead production lines at the Suwa Minami Plant and at Tohoku Epson Corp..

September

Epson announces PrecisionCore technology.

November

Epson develops autonomous dual-arm robot for "seeing, sensing, thinking, and working".

August

MG7050 series:
World's first multi-output SAW oscillators 1

1 World's first according to Epson research conduct in mid-August 2013

November

SC-F2000:
Garment printer capable of printing directly on t-shirts

2014

April

Seiko Epson amends its defined-benefit pension system

August

Seiko watches developed by Suwa Seikosha (now Seiko Epson) are registered as "Mechanical Engineering Heritage."

May

EB-595WT:
Ultra-short throw wall-mounted projector with a built-in electronic blackboard that can be operated by touch

August

RIPS:
Office inkjet printers featuring a replaceable ink pack system

2015

April

Seiko Epson executes a 2-for-1 stock split of common shares.

June

Epson acquires 100% stake in For.Tex.

September

Epson announces corporate governance policy.

December

Epson develops the PaperLab, an in-office paper recycler that uses Dry Fiber Technology.

March

TM-C7500:
High-speed label printer equipped with a PrecisionCore linehead

September

Moverio Pro BT-2000:
See-through smart glasses for enterprise applications

2016

February

Seiko Epson moves its Tokyo Office as it consolidates operations in the Tokyo Metro area.

March

Epson establishes its Epson 25 Corporate Vision.

June

Seiko Epson transitions to a company with an audit & supervisory committee.

December

Epson establishes two new sites dedicated to the R&D of industrial inkjet textile printing in Como, Italy; the Innovation Research Lab and the Printing Research Center.

February

EW-M660FT and PX-M160T/S160T:
High-capacity ink tank (EcoTank) inkjet printers for the Japan market

May

N series:
Compact 6-axis robots that increase space efficiency and productivity

EB-L25000U:
3LCD laser projector that delivers 25,000 lumens of brightness

June

S250 series:
Piezoelectric quartz force sensors

November

Moverio BT-300:
Third-generation see-through Smart Glasses with silicon OLED displays

2017

February

Epson develops new PrecisionCore lineheads.

March

Epson amends its Group Management Philosophy.

April

Seiko Epson absorbs certain operations of Orient Watch.

The PaperLab dry process office papermaking system wins the Prime Minister's Award at the 46th Japan Industrial Technology Prizes.

July

Construction completed on a new factory at Epson Precision (Philippines).

March

T3 SCARA robot:
Developed robots with an integrated controller and batteryless motors.

June

WorkForce Enterprise LX-10000F series:
High-speed linehead inkjet multifunction and single-function printers that print up to 100 sheets per minute

Mechanical Moon Phase:
The first watch in the Orient Star line with a moon phase display system

July

Trume watches:
Analog watches of the finest quality equipped with advanced technology

2018

June

Epson makes Shinko Sellbic (now Epson TcFORM) a wholly owned subsidiary.

July

Epson completes construction on a new factory for inkjet printheads at the Hirooka Office.

August

Epson develops color management technology for enhancing color reproduction.

Epson receives recognition from the National Museum of Nature and Science, which registered the Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ as one of the Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology.

September

Epson wins the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister's Prize in the 1st Eco Products Awards category for the PaperLab A-8000 dry process office papermaking system.

May

EV-100 & EV-105:
Lighting projectors

November

Epson Edge Print:
Genuine Epson software RIP for SureColor, a large format printer that allows easy color matching

2019

January

Epson wins the 2018 Grand Prize for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation for high-speed linehead inkjet multifunction and single-function printers.

March

Epson establishes the Epson 25 Phase 2 Mid-Range Business Plan (FY2019-FY2021).

May

Epson opens the Epson Square Marunouchi showroom.

July

Epson forges capital and business ties with startup company Elephantech.

September

The National Museum of Nature and Science registers the world's first digital watch to have a six-digit display as one of the Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology.

March

PrecisionCore printheads:
Strengthened the inkjet printhead sales business.

October

Inkjet system for R&D:
Equipped with PrecisionCore printheads

2020-

Corporate History

Major Products

2020

February

Epson awarded a position on CDP's Leaderboard for the first time as one of the highest rated companies in the 2019 supplier engagement evaluation.

Epson recognized with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Global Environment Awards for Epson's inkjet innovations to minimize environmental impact.

March

Epson completes construction of Innovation Center Building B at its Hirooka Office.

April

Epson establishes CVC subsidiary Epson X Investment.

June

Epson establishes an open innovation center in Aizuwakamatsu.

July

Epson issues 70 billion yen in green bonds in its first issue of such bonds.

October

Epson earns a platinum rating for sustainability from EcoVadis.

December

Epson merges subsidiary companies Robustelli & For.Tex.

August

AE-M3/M10:
Micro Molding Machines

September

Begins sales of a newly developed 4th-generation optical engine for smart glasses.

November

Trume L Collection -Break Line- :
Watches equipped with a new mechanism called Swing Generator

December

SC-R5050 and SC-R5050L:
First models with resin ink in the SureColor series for the sign and display industry

SC-V700:
First models with UV ink in the SureColor series for the sign and display industry

2021

March

Epson etablishes the Epson 25 Renewed Corporate Vision.

Epson revises Environmental Vision 2050.

April

Seiko Epson transfers the IC test handler business to Kanematsu Corporation.

Epson joins the RE100 initiative and reconfirms commitment to 100% renewable electricity

May

Epson receives the Prime Minister's Prize at the National Commendation for Invention 2021.
- Prize for inventing a high-brightness, high-image-quality projector using laser light source -

June

Shinko Sellbic changed company name to Epson TcForm Corporation

September

The Seiko Spring Drive, which was the world's first watch to be driven by an original spring and controlled by quartz, is registered by the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science as an item of technological heritage

November

Becomes the manufacturing industry's first company to switch to 100% renewable electricity at all sites in Japan

February

EP-M553T EcoTank printer (only available in Japan):
High-capacity ink tank inkjet printer in which recycled plastic accounts for approximately 30% of the total plastic used

March

Skeleton:
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the ORIENT STAR, this watch has a silicon escape wheel that enables a 70-hour power reserve.

July

SC-F10050H:
76-inch compatible dye-sublimation printer with 6-color ink and high-quality, high-speed printing

December

SD-10:
Epson's first spectrophotometer that can be easily used with a smartphone application

2022

March

Develops an industrial 3D printer that can use commonly available materials

Epson certified by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the first time for Health & Productivity Management

April

Epson Revises Group Human Rights Policy

Moved to the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

May

Celebrates 80 Years in Business by Opening Epson Museum Suwa

Awarded the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize at the National Commendation for Invention 2022

July

Selected in MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index for the First Time

September
February

GX8/GX4:
High-speed, high-precision SCARA robots compatible with GYROPLUS technology

March

Monna Lisa ML-64000:
High-speed, high-productivity inkjet digital textile printer with 64 PrecisionCore printheads

April

EB-PU 2100 and 2200 Pro Series:
The world's smallest and lightest 20,000lm projector1

1 As of December 2021. Main unit without lens. 20,000lm in accordance with ISO 21118.

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