Epson CEO Reveals 80-Year Management Philosophy: High Efficiency, Ultra-Compact, and Ultra-Precision

The head of Seiko Epson visited Korea and drew significant attention by directly citing high efficiency, ultra-compact size, and ultra-precision as the values the company has prioritized most over the past 80 years. Going beyond being a simple printer manufacturer, the company shared the secrets of its competitiveness, which span from its unique origins in a 1942 watch parts factory to the current era of artificial intelligence. Taking this visit as an opportunity, we will examine in detail the specific investment directions and technology application areas that will help navigate the future market. With large-scale capital investment announced, we will explore the ripple effects on the global industrial sector and the key changes we should watch out for.

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Epson CEO Reveals 80-Year Management Philosophy: High Efficiency, Ultra-Compact, and Ultra-Precision

1. A Unique History Starting from a Watch Parts Factory

Tracing Epson’s roots leads back to a watch parts manufacturing business that began in 1942. At the time, the company gradually built up its technical capabilities by handling numerous microscopic components to create precise wristwatches. This ultra-precision technology went beyond simple craftsmanship, early on highlighting the need for automated manufacturing processes. To assemble the tiny parts inside wristwatches quickly and accurately, Epson even developed industrial robots in-house in 1983. Since few companies were manufacturing and selling robots at the time, they had to find their own solutions. This unique spirit of challenge, creating the necessary tools themselves, became a solid foundation for Epson’s expansion into various industrial sectors today. The ultra-compact technology that started in watchmaking naturally extended to precision instruments and the advanced robotics industry, leading to remarkable growth.

2. Large-Scale Investment of 2.4 Trillion Won Over the Next 3 Years

To actively respond to the future market, Seiko Epson has decided to invest a substantial amount of 280 billion yen (approximately 2.4 trillion won) over the next three years. This massive scale demonstrates the company’s strong will for future growth. According to the CEO, about two-thirds of this total investment will be concentrated in the precision innovation sector. The remaining one-third will be used to strengthen the competitiveness of the industrial and robotics business areas. The precision innovation sector refers to applying core competencies, such as proprietary inkjet technology and ultra-compact devices, to various other industries. The industrial and robotics sector covers commercial printing systems and advanced robotics businesses, which are already achieving significant results.

3. The Evolution of Industrial Robots with a 40-Year History

The robots originally built in-house about 40 years ago to assemble parts in a watch factory have grown into a core industrial business representing Epson. Initially, the focus was on creating simple scara robots designed to quickly move and assemble very small parts. However, as technology advanced rapidly, the company now offers not only 6-axis robots capable of much more complex movements but also collaborative robots that work alongside humans on production lines. In particular, equipped with special sensors that precisely detect gripping force, these robots can handle delicate tasks with the same finesse as a human adjusting the force of their fingertips. As robots become capable of operations with precision comparable to human fingers, the range of their applications continues to expand. To date, Epson has supplied more than 250,000 industrial robots to industrial sites worldwide.

4. Semiconductor Manufacturing Innovation Expanded from Printer Technology

The technical expertise honed over many years of making printers is now deeply penetrating entirely different advanced industrial fields, such as semiconductor manufacturing processes. A representative example is PrecisionCore technology, which boasts an excellent method of accurately and quickly spraying fine ink droplets onto desired locations. It has the capability to create channels and nozzles through which ink passes at an invisible microscopic scale and to inject only the precise amount needed. This superior technology is not limited to paper printing but is directly applied to the process of manufacturing precise semiconductors. In fact, the company recently decided to supply this technology to overseas semiconductor back-end process companies, drawing attention from the industry. The advantage is that by spraying only the required amount of material exactly where needed, it can drastically reduce waste of raw materials.

5. Expanding Application Fields from Solar Panels to Home Appliances

Technology that initially started for developing photos and printing text on paper is now expanding into far more diverse fields than we might imagine. The range of applications has endlessly broadened to include signboard production, textile printing for clothing, and even plastic and aluminum processing. Furthermore, Epson’s technology can be found in the process of manufacturing solar panels and in advanced semiconductor sites. Major domestic corporations such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are also listed as reliable customers of Epson. Although specific transaction details have not been fully disclosed, they are closely cooperating, primarily by stably supplying various devices and finished products. The company continues to explore the possibility of applying existing technologies to entirely new fields, thereby expanding its domain.

6. The Unchanging Essence of Technology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Even in a rapidly changing technological environment, the values of high efficiency, ultra-compact size, and ultra-precision that Seiko Epson has steadfastly maintained over many years remain its most powerful weapons. In modern society, where artificial intelligence is shaking the world, the importance of small, precise, and energy-saving equipment never diminishes. On the contrary, as all devices become smarter, Epson’s technology, which aids in fine control and efficient resource usage, will demonstrate even greater value. Their actions, driving innovation in various industrial fields based on proprietary know-how, will continue to offer many insights. We encourage readers to think about the value of precision manufacturing hidden behind the various devices they encounter in their daily lives. By consistently paying attention to the philosophies guiding companies preparing for the future, one can gain new perspectives.

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