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Graphtec History
Graphtec Corporation was established (as Watanabe Instruments) in Tokyo in 1949. The company was formed to specialize in the design and manufacture of analog recording instruments, and released its first product, an EO type pen oscillograph, in 1952. Graphtec rapidly became an industry leader, both in Japan and around the world.
The company was quick to venture into new fields, and introduced its first plotter in 1961. With the growth of computing in the 1960's, Graphtec branched out into computer aided design (CAD), and today offers a wide range of computer input devices, such as digitizers and scanners, and output devices such as pen plotters, direct imaging plotters, cutting plotters for the sign and apparel industries, thermal printers, thermal-transfer printers, and inkjet printers.
Graphtec's comprehensive line of recording and measuring instruments includes high-speed X-Y recorders, pen oscillographs, multi-channel strip chart recorders, and sophisticated thermal array recorders with large-format display screens, used for monitoring and analyzing up to 16 independent channels. Outstandingly accurate and reliable, Graphtec equipment comes to you with ergonomic design and intelligent features to boost your productivity even as they enhance the precision of your work.
Graphtec's corporate philosophy emphasizes the pride every member takes in the company's products. The pride comes through at all stages, from preliminary planning and design to final delivery. This commitment to quality does not stop at the factory door. It extends to services and customer-support personnel around the world, because Graphtec never forgets what is at stake every time you choose one of its products: every single time, Graphtec's standing as an innovator, pace-setter, and market leader, is on the line.
Graphtec proudly acknowledges its standing as a world leader in technology. Through four subsidiaries and a global network of distributors, Graphtec products are exported to over 40 countries worldwide. All this has been built on Graphtec's many competitive strengths–product features, performance, compatibility, and price. It's hard to find a value that's even comparable.
Graphtec Corporate Timeline
| 1949 | We are established |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Develops EO-type pen oscillograph |
| 1958 | Develops Japan's first X-Y recorder |
| 1961 | Develops Japan's first X-Y plotter |
| 1967 | Develops the Linearcorder and Multicorder |
| 1968 | Fujisawa plant #1 opens |
| 1970 | Develops the Servocorder |
| 1971 | Acquires a patent for the electrostatic adhesion method in Japan, U.S.A., UK, and Germany |
| 1974 | Launches the new Recorder and Plotter Divisions |
| 1977 | Develops the new NiS (Neo-inkless System) for thermal-transfer recording |
| 1978 | Develops the first "intelligent" plotter |
| 1979 | Establishes first overseas subsidiary (Western Graphtec) |
| 1980 | Develops the multi-pen plotter |
| 1981 | Launches the Digitizer Division, establishes Graphtec Laboratories, and opens Fujisawa plant #2 |
| 1983 | Headquarters move to the Mita District of Tokyo |
| 1984 | Graphtec Europe subsidiary is established in Germany |
| 1985 | Graphtec stock listed in Section 2 of the Tokyo Stock Exchange |
| 1987 | The listing of Graphtec stock is changed to Section 1, the Penless Plotter Division is established, and the Graphtec (UK) subsidiary is founded |
| 1989 | The Kobe and Totsuka plants are opened, the Southern Graphtec Systems subsidiary is established in Australia, and we celebrate our 40th anniversary |
| 1991 | Cutting machine division is established, and headquarters moves again to our newly constructed building in Higashi-Totsuka, Yokohama. |
| 1995 | Graphtec Technology Inc. (GTI) is established as the US Technological Center to design and manufacture certain product lines. |
| 1997 | Awarded ISO9001 Quality Management System Approval Certificate. Corporate website goes on-line! |
