Brother Named a "Leader" in Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Assessment by IDC MarketScape

Brother Industries, Ltd. (President: Ichiro Sasaki) today announced that it has been recognized as a "Leader" in the "IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Vendor Assessment^*1," which assesses sustainability programs and services among select hardcopy vendors through the IDC MarketScape model.

This IDC MarketScape evaluated 11 hardcopy vendors and is based on a comprehensive framework to evaluate key metrics in corporate strategies, business operations, products and business models, and governance/risk/compliance measures offered in the context of sustainability. As addressing sustainability has become an urgent issue today, we believe the report serves as an indicator that can be used by companies and other entities considering introducing printing products and services when selecting a manufacturer.

According to IDC MarketScape, "Brother is a strong contender for those SMBs looking for printing devices that can deliver on the full range of key sustainability attributes. Brother's products can help customers reduce their environmental impact through a broad range of eco-friendly product features. Brother should also be on the short list of vendors when looking for a supplier that is investing to drive sustainability throughout its own operations, including a keen focus on biodiversity conservation activities."

In the "Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050" formulated in 2018^*2, the Brother Group clearly states its continuous commitment toward solving the key social issues of climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, and destruction of the ecosystem. As a company that uses energy and resources to provide products using bio-based items such as paper, thread and cloth, Brother strives to positively and continuously act to decrease the environmental impact and increase the sustainability of our business operations. Our environmental performance is considered at every stage of a product's life cycle, from design, development and manufacturing to customer usage, disposal and recycling.

The Brother Group has identified "reduction of CO₂ emissions," "resource circulation," and "biodiversity conservation" as the three priority issues for it to address, and has set the 2050 Vision and the medium-term target for FY2030 as milestones to achieve this vision and is promoting various initiatives to achieve these goals. In the sustainability evaluation by IDC, the Brother Group was highly rated on its efforts to minimize the environmental impact of its business activities based on the Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050, to promote the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, and various activities in cooperation with customers and business partners.

"Ichiro Sasaki, Representative Director & President of Brother Industries, Ltd., stated, 'We have been working to meet the needs of our customers, including those in SOHO (Small Office Home Office) and SMB (Small Medium Business) markets by providing products that balance sustainability with innovation. We believe being recognized as a "Leader" in the IDC MarketScape assessment is a testament to our efforts in promoting sustainability throughout our operations, guided by our environmental goal, 'Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050.' We interpret this recognition as an acknowledgment of our initiatives towards reducing CO₂ emissions and circulating resources, as highlighted in our materiality, including the recycling for toner cartridges and use of recycled materials in some of our products and the acceleration of solar panel installations at our factories. We are proud of this achievement and are committed to further enhancing our environmentally conscious efforts, contributing to society, and protecting the earth.'"

Through its corporate activities, Brother will continue to actively work toward the realization of a sustainable society.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Brother Group

The Brother Group has earned its reputation as a premier provider of home office and business products as well as industrial solutions that revolutionize the way we live and work. With worldwide sales exceeding 815 billion yen, this global manufacturer was started more than 115 years ago. For more information, visit https://global.brother/en.

1. IDC MarketScape Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Vendor Assessment, doc #US49892223, December 2023
2. Partially revised in 2022