Murata Machinery
Japanese industrial machinery manufacturer serving textile, machine-tool, logistics automation, clean-factory automation, and communications-equipment markets.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Murata Machinery, Ltd. is a privately held Japanese industrial technology company headquartered in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. Founded in 1935 as Nishijin Jacquard Manufacturing, the company originally concentrated on textile machinery and developed from that base into a diversified manufacturer of production equipment, factory-automation systems, logistics technology, and communications products. Its unified commercial brand is commonly presented as MURATEC, while the corporate entity is known as Murata Machinery or MML. The company’s textile business remains one of its defining activities. Its product portfolio has included spinning machinery, automatic winders, and yarn-processing equipment. A particularly important development was the Mach Splicer, introduced in 1970. The device joined yarn through airflow rather than a conventional knot and was incorporated into automatic winding systems supplied to textile factories internationally. Murata Machinery’s textile equipment therefore combines mechanical engineering with process automation intended to improve yarn handling, productivity, and consistency. Murata Machinery expanded beyond textiles during the 1960s. It entered machine tools in 1961 and automated systems in 1962, at the same time adopting the present corporate name. Its industrial machinery activities include turning machines and sheet-metal machinery. These businesses place the company in the broader field of factory production equipment, where machinery is sold as part of manufacturing processes rather than as a consumer product. Automation became a second major pillar. Murata Machinery supplies logistics systems centered on automated storage and automated transportation, as well as automated material-handling systems for semiconductor and flat-panel-display clean rooms. These systems are designed for controlled manufacturing environments in which materials must be moved, stored, and delivered with limited human intervention. The company’s acquisition of Finnish intralogistics specialist Cimcorp in 2014 strengthened its position in automated distribution and material-flow applications, including tire-industry, retail, and distribution use cases. The company has also operated in communications equipment. It began selling facsimile machines in Japan in 1970 and later developed an overseas sales presence through Murata Machinery USA and Murata Business Systems. In the United States, the business initially used private-label arrangements before marketing facsimile products under the Murata name from 1985. Network and wireless capabilities were added to the wider group through Silex Technology, which became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2011. Murata Machinery has built an international operating structure through subsidiaries and acquisitions rather than through public-market expansion. Its United States presence dates to the establishment of Murata Machinery USA in 1974, and the company has maintained activities across industrial equipment, automation, and communications markets. The 2009 creation of Muratec Automation consolidated clean-factory automated material-handling activities after the acquisition and integration of Asyst Technology Japan’s relevant business. That operation was subsequently merged back into Murata Machinery in 2012, when the Clean FA Division was established. Today, Murata Machinery is best understood as a diversified industrial-equipment group. Its positioning links specialized machinery with automation and material-flow control: textile production equipment, machine tools, sheet-metal systems, automated storage and transportation, clean-room logistics, and selected communications products. Its private ownership and technically focused portfolio distinguish it from consumer-oriented Murata-branded companies and from publicly traded machinery conglomerates. The company also operates a communications-equipment business. It began selling facsimile machines in Japan in 1970 and later developed overseas sales through Murata Machinery USA and Murata Business Systems. In the United States, the business initially used private-label arrangements and from 1985 sold facsimile products under the Murata brand. Through Silex Technology, which became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2011, the group added networking and wireless capabilities. The Muratec brand has also been associated with office equipment such as multifunction printers, copiers, and office shredders, supplied as complete units and OEM products.
History
Murata Machinery traces its origins to Nishijin Jacquard Manufacturing, founded in Japan in 1935. The predecessor company focused primarily on textile machinery, reflecting the importance of advanced weaving and spinning equipment to Japan’s industrial economy. Over time, its engineering capabilities expanded beyond textile production and created the foundation for the diversified industrial group that exists today. The first major diversification occurred in 1961, when the company entered the machine-tool industry. In 1962 it moved into automated systems. These changes marked a shift from a specialist textile-equipment manufacturer toward a broader supplier of production machinery and industrial automation. During this period the corporate name was changed to Murata Machinery, Ltd., the name associated with the company today. Textile technology nevertheless remained central. In 1970 the textile machinery division developed the Mach Splicer, a device that uses airflow to join yarn without tying a knot. Automatic winders equipped with the technology were delivered to factories around the world and became a continuing part of Murata Machinery’s textile-equipment business. The same year, the company began selling facsimile machines in Japan, opening a communications-equipment line alongside its industrial machinery operations. Internationalization became more systematic in the 1970s and 1980s. Murata Machinery established Murata Machinery USA in 1974. It entered the U.S. market in 1982 through Murata Business Systems, initially using private-label agreements with several American companies to sell facsimile products. In January 1985, the company began marketing facsimiles under the Murata name from its Dallas, Texas headquarters. This gave the company a direct branded presence in a market where it had previously relied partly on partner brands. In 1991, Murata Machinery introduced the unified MURATEC brand name across the company. The branding helped connect its different businesses, including textile machinery, machine tools, communications products, and automation systems, under one commercial identity. The company’s industrial portfolio continued to include turning machines, sheet-metal machinery, digital multifunctional products, and systems for factory logistics. The next important phase involved semiconductor and flat-panel-display manufacturing. In August 2009, Murata Machinery established the wholly owned Muratec Automation Co., Ltd. after separating its automated material-handling-system business for semiconductor and FPD applications and acquiring Asyst Technology Japan. The businesses were integrated within the new organization, which focused on automated movement and handling of materials in clean-room production environments. In 2012, Muratec Automation was merged into Murata Machinery, and the Clean FA Division was created within the parent company. Murata Machinery also expanded its communications and connectivity capabilities. In 2011, Silex Technology, a specialist in network and wireless technology, became a wholly owned subsidiary. This broadened the group’s technology base beyond physical machinery and into connectivity-related products and solutions. In October 2014, Murata Machinery acquired 100 percent of Cimcorp Oy of Finland. Cimcorp was known for intralogistics applications, particularly in the tire industry and among retail and distribution customers. The transaction strengthened Murata Machinery’s logistics-automation portfolio and complemented its existing automated storage, transportation, and material-handling activities. Across its history, Murata Machinery has therefore developed through adjacent diversification rather than a single abrupt change of identity. Textile machinery remains an important historical and technical foundation; machine tools and sheet-metal equipment connect the company to general manufacturing; and factory automation, clean-room handling, and intralogistics extend its role into highly automated production and distribution environments. Its communications businesses add another technical dimension. The company remains privately held and operates internationally under the Murata Machinery corporate name and the MURATEC commercial identity.
- 2014
Cimcorp acquired
[1]Murata Machinery acquired all shares of Finnish intralogistics company Cimcorp Oy.
- 2012
Clean FA Division created
[1]Muratec Automation was merged into Murata Machinery and the Clean FA Division was established.
- 2011
Silex Technology became wholly owned
[1]Network and wireless technology company Silex Technology joined Murata Machinery as a wholly owned subsidiary.
- 2009
Muratec Automation established
[1]The company established Muratec Automation to organize automated material-handling activities for semiconductor and flat-panel-display production.
- 1991
MURATEC unified brand introduced
[1]Murata Machinery introduced MURATEC as a unified company-wide brand identity.
- 1974
Murata Machinery USA established
[1]The company created a U.S.-based subsidiary to support international operations.
- 1970
Mach Splicer developed and facsimile business launched
[1]The textile division developed the airflow-based Mach Splicer, while the company began selling facsimile machines in Japan.
- 1962
Entry into automated systems and adoption of the Murata Machinery name
[1]Murata expanded into automated systems and changed its corporate name to Murata Machinery, Ltd.
- 1961
Entry into machine tools
[1]The company expanded from textile machinery into the machine-tool industry.
- 1935
Predecessor company founded
[1]Nishijin Jacquard Manufacturing was founded in Japan with a primary focus on textile machinery.
Products and positioning
A diversified Japanese industrial-technology provider combining specialized production machinery with factory automation, intralogistics, and clean-room material handling. The MURATEC identity emphasizes engineering solutions for manufacturing and distribution environments rather than consumer branding.
Textile production equipment · 1935
Textile machinery
Murata Machinery’s textile machinery business is its historical foundation. It includes equipment used in spinning and yarn preparation, with automatic winding systems among the company’s best-known offerings. The business is focused on mechanizing and automating repetitive textile-production processes and has served factories in international markets.
Yarn-joining technology · 1970
Mach Splicer
Developed by the textile machinery division in 1970, the Mach Splicer joins yarn by using airflow rather than forming a conventional knot. It was incorporated into automatic winders and became a distinctive technology within Murata Machinery’s textile portfolio, supporting continuous yarn handling in factory environments.
Machine tools · 1961
Turning machines
Turning machines form part of Murata Machinery’s machine-tool business, which began in the early 1960s. They are industrial production machines intended for machining workpieces through turning operations and extend the company’s offering beyond textile equipment into general manufacturing.
Metalworking equipment
Sheet-metal machinery
Murata Machinery supplies machinery for sheet-metal processing as part of its broader industrial-equipment portfolio. The line addresses production environments requiring automated or mechanized handling and forming of sheet material.
Factory automation and intralogistics · 1962
Automated logistics systems
The company provides logistics systems centered on automated storage and automated transportation. These solutions are intended to coordinate the movement and storage of materials within factories, warehouses, retail-distribution operations, and other industrial sites.
Semiconductor and FPD automation · 2009
Clean-room material-handling systems
Murata Machinery develops automated material-handling systems for clean rooms used in semiconductor and flat-panel-display fabrication. The systems support controlled transportation and handling of production materials where contamination control and repeatable movement are important.
Communications equipment · 1970
Facsimile and multifunctional products
Murata Machinery entered the facsimile market in Japan in 1970 and later sold facsimile products in the United States through private-label arrangements and under the Murata name. Its communications portfolio has also included digital multifunctional products.
Connectivity equipment · 2011
Network and wireless technology
Through Silex Technology, which became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2011, the group has included network and wireless technology in its broader set of industrial and communications capabilities.
Intralogistics automation · 2014
Cimcorp intralogistics solutions
Cimcorp’s automated intralogistics activities became part of Murata Machinery following the 2014 acquisition. The business serves applications including tire manufacturing, retail, and distribution, complementing Murata’s automated storage, transportation, and material-flow systems.
Office equipment
Multifunction printers and copiers
Under the Muratec brand, the company has offered multifunction printers and copiers as complete office-equipment units and as OEM products.
Office equipment
Office shredders
Muratec-branded office equipment also includes office shredders.
Brand decisions
2014
Acquisition of Cimcorp OyM&ABackground
Murata Machinery sought to expand its intralogistics and automated material-flow activities.
Action taken
The company acquired 100 percent of Finnish intralogistics supplier Cimcorp Oy.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened Murata Machinery’s presence in automated logistics for tire manufacturing, retail, and distribution.
2012
Integration of Muratec AutomationStrategyBackground
Murata Machinery had established a separate organization for clean-factory automated material handling in 2009.
Action taken
Muratec Automation was merged into Murata Machinery and the Clean FA Division was formed.
Aftermath
Clean-room factory automation became an internal division of the parent company rather than a separately organized subsidiary.
2011
Silex Technology made wholly ownedM&ABackground
Murata Machinery sought to strengthen capabilities related to network and wireless technology.
Action taken
Silex Technology became a wholly owned subsidiary of Murata Machinery.
Aftermath
The group added specialized connectivity technology to its industrial and communications portfolio.
2009
Creation of Muratec AutomationStrategyBackground
Murata Machinery was organizing automated material-handling activities for semiconductor and flat-panel-display manufacturing, including activities associated with Asyst Technology Japan.
Action taken
The company established wholly owned Muratec Automation and integrated the relevant automated-material-handling businesses.
Aftermath
The automation activities were later brought back into the parent company through a 2012 merger and became the Clean FA Division.
1991
Adoption of the MURATEC unified brandStrategyBackground
Murata Machinery operated across multiple industrial and communications businesses that had developed over several decades.
Action taken
The company introduced MURATEC as a unified company-wide brand name.
Aftermath
MURATEC became the principal commercial identity connecting the company’s varied equipment and technology businesses.
1962
Diversification into automated systemsStrategyBackground
After entering machine tools in 1961, the company broadened its industrial scope by moving into automated systems.
Action taken
Murata expanded its business beyond textile machinery and adopted the Murata Machinery corporate name.
Aftermath
The move established the basis for the company’s later factory-automation and logistics activities.
Recent events
- 2014
Murata Machinery acquired Cimcorp[1]
M&A
Murata Machinery acquired all of Finnish intralogistics supplier Cimcorp Oy, strengthening its activities in automated logistics for tire manufacturing, retail, and distribution.
- 2011
Silex Technology became a wholly owned subsidiary[1]
M&A
Silex Technology, which specializes in network and wireless technology, became wholly owned by Murata Machinery.
- 1985
Murata began marketing facsimiles under its own name in the United States[1]
Product launch
Murata Machinery began marketing its facsimile products under the Murata name from its Dallas, Texas corporate headquarters.
- 1982
Murata Machinery entered the U.S. facsimile market[1]
Other
The company entered the U.S. market through Murata Business Systems, initially selling facsimile products through private-label agreements.
- 1974
Murata Machinery established its United States subsidiary[1]
Other
Murata Machinery established Murata Machinery USA as part of its international expansion.
Sources2 sources
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