Brother Industries

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Brother Industries Ltd.
Type Public (TYO: 6448)
Industry Printers, Machinery
Founded 1908 (as Yasui Sewing Machine Co.)
Headquarters Nagoya, Japan
Key people Kanekichi Yasui , founder, Yoshihiro Yasui, Chairman and Toshikazu Koike, President
Products Computer printers
Multi-function Centers
Fax machines
Sewing machines
Electronic typewriters
Knitting machines
Domestic appliances
Employees 23,809 (consolidated) 3,125 (non-consolidated)
Website www.brother.com

Brother Industries, Ltd. (ブラザー工業株式会社 Burazā Kōgyō Kabushiki-gaisha?) (TYO: 6448) is a diversified Japanese company that produces a wide variety of products including printers, sewing machines, large machine tools, label printers, and typewriters, fax machines, and other computer-related electronics. It markets its multifunction printers as Multi-Function Centers (MFCs). MFC lines of printers include 5-in-1 models awarded with PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award for best multi-function printers. The MFCs are powered with a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a copier, and a PC fax.[1] Brother distributes its products both under its own name and under OEM agreements with other companies.

Brother's history began in 1908 when the Yasui Sewing Machine Co. was established in Nagoya, Japan. In 1954, Brother International Corporation (U.S.A.) was established as their first overseas sales affiliate. In 1958 a European regional sales company was established in Dublin The corporate name was finally changed to Brother Industries, Ltd. in 1962. Brother entered the printer market during its long association with Centronics.

As of 2004, Brother's annual turnover is in excess of 420 billion yen. Roughly 4.2 billion USD.[citation needed]

[edit] Brother UK

In 1968 the company moved its UK headquarters to Audenshaw, Manchester, after acquiring the Jones Sewing Machine Company, a long established British sewing machine maker.

The firm sponsored Manchester City Football Club from 1989 until 1999.

Brother P-Touch 540 label printer


In April of 2010, the sewing divisions of Brother Industries around Europe were consolidated into one larger company called "Brother Sewing Machines Europe GmbH". With a turnover in excess of €80million, it is the 4th biggest company under the Brother Industries Ltd umbrella.

Brother Sewing Machines Europe Site


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