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.
1997
January
SG-8000 Series:
The world's first programmable quartz oscillators with on-chip P-ROM & PLL circuits.
April
Epson Stylus Photo:
A six-color photo inkjet printer.
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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