About Brother
Brother is a Japanese multinational technology brand best known for its printers, multifunction devices (MFPs), scanners, label makers, sewing machines, embroidery machines, industrial equipment and business printing solutions. The brand is owned by Brother Industries, Ltd., which is headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Since its founding in 1908, Brother has grown from a sewing machine repair business into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of printing, imaging and industrial technology products.1
Overview
- Brand Name: Brother
- Company: Brother Industries, Ltd.
- Founded: 1908
- Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Industry: Electronics, Printing, Imaging, Industrial Equipment
- Global Presence: Operations in more than 40 countries and regions
- Employees: Over 40,000 worldwide
- Slogan: “At your side.”1
History
Brother traces its origins to 1908, when Kanekichi Yasui established the Yasui Sewing Machine Company in Nagoya, Japan. The company initially specialised in repairing sewing machines and manufacturing replacement parts.
In 1928, the Yasui brothers introduced their first chain-stitch sewing machine, marking the beginning of the Brother brand. During the following decades, the company expanded into home sewing machines before diversifying into office equipment and consumer electronics.
The company was officially incorporated as Brother Industries, Ltd. in 1934. After World War II, Brother began expanding internationally, opening its first overseas subsidiary in the United States in 1954. Since then, it has built manufacturing, research and sales facilities across Asia, Europe, the Americas and other regions.2
Products
Brother manufactures products for both home users and businesses.
Printing Solutions
- Inkjet printers
- Laser printers
- Colour laser printers
- Monochrome laser printers
- Multifunction printers (Print, Scan, Copy, Fax)
- Business printers
- Enterprise printing systems
Document Solutions
- Desktop scanners
- Mobile scanners
- High-speed document scanners
Labelling
Brother is well known for its P-touch label makers and professional label printers used in offices, warehouses, retail stores, healthcare and industrial environments.
Sewing and Crafting
Brother remains a major manufacturer of:
- Home sewing machines
- Professional embroidery machines
- Quilting machines
- Electronic cutting machines (ScanNCut series)
Industrial Equipment
Brother also manufactures:
- Industrial sewing machines
- Machine tools
- Industrial printing equipment
- Coding and marking systems
- Gear motors and industrial components1
Business Segments
Brother organises its operations into several major business divisions:
- Printing & Solutions
- Industrial Printing
- Machinery
- Personal & Home Products
- Nissei (Gear Motors and Industrial Components)
These segments serve consumers, small businesses, enterprises, healthcare providers, manufacturers, educational institutions and government organisations.1
Innovation
Brother has consistently invested in research and development, focusing on:
- Wireless printing
- Mobile printing
- Cloud connectivity
- Ink-saving technologies
- Secure enterprise printing
- Industrial automation
- Sustainable manufacturing
The company also develops software solutions for:
- Print fleet management
- Device monitoring
- Secure document workflows
- Managed print services (MPS)1
Sustainability
Brother integrates sustainability into its corporate strategy by focusing on:
- Energy-efficient products
- Carbon emission reduction
- Recycling programmes
- Environmentally friendly manufacturing
- Responsible sourcing
- ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives
The company publishes sustainability and ESG reports and has received recognition for supplier engagement and environmental efforts.1
Global Presence
Brother operates manufacturing plants, research centres and sales offices throughout:
- Japan
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- China
- Singapore
- Philippines
- Australia
- India
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Many other countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas1
Reputation
Brother is widely recognised for:
- Reliable printers
- Low operating costs
- Durable laser printers
- Business-class multifunction devices
- User-friendly label makers
- High-quality sewing and embroidery machines
- Strong after-sales service
The brand is frequently chosen by homes, schools, small businesses and large enterprises for its balance of reliability, performance and total cost of ownership.3
Mission
Brother’s long-standing philosophy is to contribute to society through business by delivering high-quality products and dependable customer service. This commitment is reflected in its global slogan:
“At your side.”4
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Brother |
| Parent Company | Brother Industries, Ltd. |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Headquarters | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
| Founder | Kanekichi Yasui |
| Industry | Electronics, Printing, Industrial Equipment |
| Global Presence | 40+ countries and regions |
| Employees | 40,000+ |
| Main Products | Printers, Scanners, Label Makers, Sewing Machines, Industrial Equipment |
| Brand Motto | “At your side.” |
