Epson is significantly ramping up its localization efforts in India, capitalizing on the country's burgeoning industrial infrastructure to enhance its market presence and customer experience. Junkichi Yoshida, Global President of Seiko Epson Corporation, emphasized India's crucial role in the company's growth strategy, citing the nation's fast-growing economy, youthful population, and digital progress as key drivers for innovation and leadership.
A key component of this localization strategy is the establishment of Epson's first ink tank printer manufacturing facility in India, located near Chennai in Sriperumbudur. This facility, a collaboration with local manufacturing firm RIKUN, is slated to begin operations in October 2025 and will initially focus on producing EcoTank printers. These printers are a cartridge-free, high-capacity solution that is both cost-effective and environmentally efficient. With over 8 million EcoTank units already sold in India and 100 million globally, Epson aims to further solidify its position as the leading inkjet printer brand in the Indian market.
The decision to manufacture in India aligns with the Indian government's "Make in India" program and signifies Epson's commitment to local economic development. Yoshida noted that the company's search for the ideal location spanned across India, with Chennai ultimately being selected due to its favorable industrial ecosystem. He clarified that this move is not solely about cost advantages but rather a strategic commitment to building agility, fostering partnerships, and responding to India's increasing demand for innovation.
The Chennai facility will initially have a production capacity of 20,000 units per month, with plans to scale up production and diversify the product range in the coming years. While the total investment in the facility has not been disclosed, Epson has indicated that this is the first phase of a broader localization strategy. This initiative is expected to generate 200 direct employment opportunities.
By manufacturing domestically, Epson aims to improve its supply chain responsiveness and meet local demand more efficiently. This will reduce delivery timelines and enable faster problem resolution, ultimately enhancing the customer experience. Moreover, local production is expected to lead to better pricing due to reduced shipping costs and import duties, providing Indian businesses with improved ROI on their printing investments.
Epson's commitment extends beyond manufacturing, with plans to strengthen its presence in India through expanded market reach and increased investment in human resources and research and development activities. The company also has a strong focus on sustainability, aiming to become carbon negative and eliminate the use of exhaustible underground resources by 2050. The EcoTank printers are seen as a key enabler in this strategy, helping to reduce electronic waste and energy usage compared to traditional laser printers.
Epson India has demonstrated robust financial performance, with a turnover exceeding Rs 2,500 crore in the fiscal year 2025 and projected revenues of over Rs 2,900 crore for the current fiscal year. India currently contributes approximately 8% to Epson's total global business. While high levels of localization will be a gradual process, Epson is actively discussing with its manufacturing partner to maximize the use of local components and resources within the next two to three years. While the facility is primarily intended to serve the growing Indian market, Epson does not rule out the possibility of exports in the future, given Chennai's strategic location and proximity to ports.
