History | Brother

Originally founded more than 100 years ago in Nagoya, Japan, Brother has a rich history in Europe that stretches back more than 50 years.

The Brother group delivers products and services to customers all over the world with production sites and sales sites in more than 40 countries and regions of the world (as of January 2024.).

Brother has been operating in Europe since 1958 and is a member of the Brother Global Group.Today, the line of products includes not only sewing machines for home and industrial use but also machine tools and information and communication equipment from Brother’s Printing & Solutions Business- Printers, All in one Machines, Fax Machines, Label Printers & Scanners together with Brother original supplies and accessories.

In order to grow sustainably in the midst of major environmental changes, the Brother Group has formulated the Brother Group Vision "At your side 2030" to show our direction from fiscal 2022 to 2030.

Centered on the spirit of "At your side." which puts customers first in every situation, we will present "Brother's raison d'être and value proposition to society" and propose and implement the strategy through backcasting* by clearly setting the deadline of 2030.

*A way of thinking that envisions what the future should look like and considers what needs to be done now and how to move forward into the future in order to achieve that vision

EU flag, Japanese flag put next to each other

Brother first established in Europe

The European Economic Community had only come into being the year before when France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg signed the Treaty of Rome. Recognizing and responding to this was an extremely important step for Brother's development and growth

Brother takes over Jones sewing machine factory in Audenshaw, Manchester

Jones Sewing Machines was well established as Britain's premier brand, but was suffering from lack of investment and development. This acquisition allowed Brother to rapidly establish itself within the UK.

Brother's world's first high speed dot-matrix printer in 1971

Brother produces the world's first high speed dot-matrix printer

This product, designed by CDCC and built in Brother factories, led to Brother's decision to diversify its product offering into office technology. This proved instrumental in Brother becoming the company it is today.

Brother's first electronic typewriter

Following the decision to diversify, Brother's electronic typewriters rapidly gained world-wide acceptance and fuelled major growth and recognition of Brother as a serious contender in office technology.

Brother's first fax machine

The fax machine was recognized as the fundamental communication device in the office of the time. Brother developed products that were small, efficient and most of all very competitive. Fax contributed greatly to the company's ever expanding product range.

Brother's first laser printer

Laser printing was establishing as the printing technology of the moment and Brother was able to develop its own high speed products for the office market. Today, Brother is a world class producer of these products.

Brother's first labelling machine

Proving that Brother has the capability for true innovation, it released new labelling technology based on an original Brother concept. This initial innovation resulted in a whole system of labelling products that produce some of the most durable labels in the world today.

Brother's first multifunction machine in 1995

Brother's first laser multifunction machine

Continuing its line of world first technologies, the company made a significant breakthrough in integrating multiple functions into one machine with its first laser multifunction printer. Based on an existing laser printer, Brother added scanning, faxing, phone and many others functions too. This became the new benchmark for Brother's competitors and spawned an entirely new product category.

Brother's first inkjet multifunction machine

Brother emulated it success with laser multifunction to inkjet technology. This resulted in many products that were smaller, quieter, more colourful, but just as functional as the laser machines.

Brother's first self-contained mobile printer

This miniaturized product was (and still is) the only one of its kind in the world to be so small yet so capable. It now forms the printing resource for many large organizations for whom mobility is essential, from the British Transport Police to Hilarys Blinds.

Brother's first RFID label printer

A true 21st century breakthrough, based on Brother's existing labeling experience, the RL-700S adds Radio Frequency Identification tags to the company's label range. This technology, normally costing thousands of pounds to implement can be realized for a fraction of the cost with Brother's latest technological development.

History of Brother