Epson

Epson is a major brand of the electronics company Seiko Epson Corporation which is known for its production of printers, projectors, and mobile display devices. Seiko Epson is based in Japan, but Epson's sales are worldwide.

Company History
After Seiko released its first electric printer, the EP-101, 1968, the Epson brand was established, first through the development of the subsidiary, Epson, America, Inc., followed by the Epson Sales Japan Co,. Ltd., being established as the domestic manufacturing branch of the brand.

Business Strategy
"Epson will provide cutting-edge imaging solutions, focusing on the fields of imaging on paper, imaging on screen, and imaging on glass." For more information, see: http://www.epson.co.jp/e/company/business_strategy.htm

Lobbying
Epson America, Inc., hired Bryan Cave Strategies lobbying firm in 2008.

Corporate Accountability
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Labor
Epson is a customer of Volex Cable Assembly Co., Ltd. "Volex is a global producer of electrical and optical fiber cable assemblies and power cords (plugs, cables and connectors)" which "operates offshore manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. In Asia, the Volex Group currently has three manufacturing facilities based in mainland China (in Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Suzhou), and factories and/or offices in India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In total, the group manages over 30 production centers worldwide." According to a May 2008 Report published by SACOM and Bread for All, the Volex factory in Zhongshan City, China, found that the factory employs 1500-2000 workers, and that while workers' overtime still exceeded the monthly legal limit by up to 84 hours a month, this figure was less than up to 140 hours of mandatory overtime per month employees worked in 2006. In addition to work days that last a minimum of twelve hours (with two 45 minute breaks), workers are not given any days off during peak production times. Occupational health and safety are problems at the Volex plant, where workers' hands often become swollen and blistered from handling cables and are not given any sort of protective gloves. The past policy of deducting meal charges of 102 yuan per month from workers' wages whether or not they ate in the canteen is no longer in effect. Volex management reported that the EICC has been presented to workers in 2007, but as of the beginning of 2008 workers did not claim any knowledge of either its contents or their implementation.

Human Rights
Epson printers were among those discovered to print codes in tiny dots indicating the printer's serial number as well as the time and date of printing, as a means to track counterfitters, which has led to concerns from privacy groups.

Social Responsibility Initiatives
2007 Sustainability Report

Business Scope


Listed Subsidiary: Epson Toyocom

Financial Information
Ticker Symbol: TSE : 6724 Main Exchanges:TSE Investor Website:http://www.epson.co.jp/e/IR/investor_relations_index.htm

Largest Shareholders

Geographic scope paragraph

Governance
Epson Director Pay Listed 2008 

Contact Information
Seiko Epson Corp Head Office 3-3-5 Owa, Suwa, Nagano 392-8502 Telephone: +81 266-52-3131