Epson Invests Heavily in New Japanese Production Lines

Epson announced that it invested about 16 billion Yen ($US 163 million), including planned investment for fiscal 2013, in two new production lines in Japan. The lines will produce next-generation print heads for use in business and industrial printing systems. The products are expected to be released in the latter part of 2013.

According to Epson, the new print head is based on an original design with new materials. Using Epson’s Micro Piezo print head technology as a base, the new product combines the company’s expertise, inkjet technology and MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) production technology. The core of the print head will be formed from ultra-fine MEMS components. Epson’s industrial robot technology will complete the assembly process.

Epson claims the fully-automated assembly line will enhance the company’s productivity and product quality. The company also believes that the new print head will improve the fundamental performance of Epson’s inkjet printers.

This capital expenditure has been in process since 2011 to build new production lines containing various original Epson manufacturing technologies. These new lines will be located in Epson’s Suwa-Minami Plant in Nagano Prefecture and the Sakata Plant in Yamagata Prefecture.

Motonori Okumura, Executive Officer and General Administrative Manager, Imaging Products Key Component Research and Engineering Division, said, “Epson’s corporate vision calls for the expansion of the inkjet printer business, and the new production lines represent an essential element in these plans. Going forward, Epson will enhance competitiveness by expanding use of the new print head into its lineup and by further promoting the use of common platforms throughout the inkjet printer lineup.”