Barudan America Quick Facts

• Founded in 1985.
• Corporate Headquarters in Solon, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland).
• President - Tetsuji "Ted" Yamaue.
• Parent Company - Barudan Co., Ltd., Ichinomiya-City, Japan.
• 76 Employees.
• Over 40 sales and support offices and distributors in North, Central and South America in 17 countries.

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Barudan Timeline

1959 - Yoshio Shibata, founder and president of Barudan Co., Ltd, develops the first embroidery machine, in Japan. This first machine forms the base of the modern embroidery industry.

1962 - Mr. Shibata introduces the first embroidery machine into the Japanese market, by Barudan Co., Ltd.

1972 - The first jump mechanism is introduced by Barudan into an embroidery machine, greatly increasing the maximum stitch length that could be sewn.

1972 - The first embroidery machines with an automatic color change system were developed and started by Barudan.

1977 - The world's first multi-head, computerized embroidery machine is developed by Barudan.

1981 - Barudan develops the world's first cylinder bed embroidery machine.

1981 - Barudan develops the first monogram machine that allows monograms with Chinese and Japanese characters.

1982 - Automending capabilities are first introduced by Barudan, allowing operators to back up through the pattern to correct a stitch break.

1984 - Automatic trimming capabilities are first introduced by Barudan, greatly reducing the time needed to produce an embroidery design on a finished garment.

1985 - Barudan America, Inc. is formed, a spin-off of the acquisition of the manufacturing division of Meistergram, Inc. by Barudan Co., Ltd. Production begins at the manufacturing facility in Walton Hills, Ohio.

1986 - A computerized chenille machine especially for decorative embroidery is introduced.

1986 - Barudan produces the world's first cap frame for embroidering on finished caps.

1987 - Barudan introduces the world's first embroidery machine connected to a corporate mainframe database.

1988 - Barudan introduces the world's first embroidery machine with a color CRT.

1988 - Barudan machines receive approval from Electronics Testing Laboratories (ETL), passing tests for industry safety standards.

1990 - Battery backup is first introduced by Barudan, providing recovery of embroidery in the event of a power failure.

1991 - Barudan first introduces "Quick Change," allowing for switching from caps to tubular goods, and vice versa, in a matter of minutes.

1991 - The world's first drop down table is introduced by Barudan, providing support for a greater variety of finished goods.

1992 - Barudan America moves into its new 70,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Solon, Ohio.

1993 - The world's first chenille machine with a fully automatic color change mechanism is developed by Barudan.

1993 - The world's first spectacle tubular framing system is introduced by Barudan.

1996 - An ultra high-speed embroidery machine of 1,200 rpm is introduced by Barudan.

1996 - Barudan introduces the world's first radius cylinder arm, allowing the user to more accurately embroider finished caps and flat garments.

1997 - Barudan produces the world's first 15-color embroidery machine.

1998 - Barudan produces the world's fastest embroidery machine, capable of 2,000 stitches per minute.

1999 - Barudan America purchases Geoffrey E. Macpherson Canada and renames it Barudan Canada, Inc. Barudan Canada is the sole distributor of Barudan machines in Canada.

2000 - Barudan America acquires the sales and support divisions of Macpherson Meistergram of Greensboro, North Carolina, their former U.S. distributor.

2001 - Barudan produces a compact bridge machine with the world's largest embroidery area.