ROOTS

ROOTSBorn in the United Kingdom growing up in Asia.

AR Brown’s roots is A.R Brown McFarlane & Co Ltd which was founded in 1889 by Albert Richard Brown (Captain Brown) in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. Captain Brown began construction of a lighthouse as an engineer of the Meiji Government, imported numerous ships such as the famous Meiji Maru (see *) from the United Kingdom and the United States, and contributed to the establishment of present-day Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. In 1885 he was inaugurated as the first General Manager of Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line, and in 1909, he was the first foreigner to receive the Second-Class Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor Meiji awarding his contributions to the Wealth and Military Strength policy of the Meiji Era via enhancing Japan’s shipping capabilities.

The Tokyo Branch of A.R. Brown McFarlane & Co Ltd., which was founded in the Ginza District of Tokyo by Captain Brown’s grandson, Richard Pine Brown, during the post-war turmoil of 1949, 60 years after Captain Brown founded A.R. Brown McFarlane in Glasgow, is the present-day AR Brown Co., Ltd.

AR BROWN's history

PHILOSOPHY
&
VISION

2026 VISION

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is to contribute to new value creation via trading activities associated with cutting-edged technologies and products having adventurer spirit in mid.

"Think Quality & Create Value" ...for the World and for People...
We aim to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society in Asia keeping the aspirations of Captain Brown, that contributed to the construction of Meiji Japan with advanced technologies, as “adventurer spirit”.

MANAGEMENT VISION

We aim to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society by coupling different professionals and providing new values to the market.

"Step Change"...Reliabile...
We aim to create such a world as AR Brown Group can be a part of key elements as a catalyst for reactions amongst different professionalisms. Not limiting to a specific market but with wider views we aim to create new values to be aids to overcome human beings’ challenges.
Taking over the aspirations of Captain Brown, we take actions for the world and people.

70TH
HISTORY

1949-1969 From Foundation to Postwar Reconstruction: Establishment Period of Technical Specialized Trading Company
CHAPTER 01 1949-1969

From Foundation to Postwar Reconstruction:
Establishment Period of Technical Specialized Trading Company

When the Tokyo branch of AR Brown McFarlane was established, Dow Corning's silicone was first imported in 1950, British Atomic Energy Corporation's Isotope was imported in 1953 and United States mill standard compliant vibration testing equipment was imported to Japan in 1959 for the first time during strict foreign currency regulations. The company played an important role in the postwar Japanese economic recovery by contributing to improving the quality of Made in Japan products.

AR BROWNQUALITY

The lifeblood of AR Brown is customer satisfaction and product quality and innovativeness.

During its more than 70-year history, AR Brown has been a technical trading company specialized in technology development fields in many different Industries. AR Brown has been looking into the needs of the rapidly changing times and has been providing solutions in a timely manner.
AR Brown’s priority is customer satisfaction, product quality and innovativeness. Even if we deal in physical goods, we always think that no business can be carried out without people. AR Brown is always mindful of being able to provide quality, innovativeness and services understanding well about what exactly customers in front of us are looking for hoping that the customers would say “I was glad I chose AR Brown".

Electronics Materials

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Electronics Materials

Electronics Materials

Since 1950, when we first imported silicone resin from Dow Corning into Japan, we have provided high-value-added products to the automobile, semiconductor, and electronics industries.
Currently, we are developing a new heat dissipation material and have begun to provide it to the market.
Electronics Materials

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Performance Chemical

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Performance Chemical

Performance Chemical

In the 1960s, we started importing fluorescent dyes, and in the 1980s, we began importing special pigments and resin materials such as Pine Kecal.
In recent years, we have been focusing on importing new raw materials from Chinese and Indian corporations.
Performance Chemical

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Fine Chemical

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Fine Chemical

Fine Chemical

In 1950, we started importing pharmaceutical intermediates from Europe and expanded our import area for raw materials for new drugs and generic drugs. Currently, we are promoting product development through corporations in China and India.
We are expanding our activities to contract manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and development of biopharmaceuticals.
Fine Chemical

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Life Science

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Life Science

Life Science

Imported isotopes from England in 1953. In the 1970s, we sold physics and chemistry equipment, and in the 1990s, we contributed to the evolution of genome analysis and genetic engineering through biotechnology.
Currently, we are promoting the development of applications for the world's only nanotech membrane from the introduction of reagents for regenerative medicine research in all industries.
Life Science

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Test & Measurement

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Test & Measurement

Test & Measurement

In 1959, we imported a MIL standard vibration and shock tester. Driving quality improvement in the automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries. In 1996, we expanded to logistics environment testing, and in 2009 we introduced surface pressure sensors. In 2013, we provided an advanced driving support system for cars to the automobile market, leading the development of safe driving technology for Japanese cars. We are also promoting the development of safe driving technology for vehicles in the Chinese market.
Test & Measurement

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AR BROWN GROUP IN ASIA

AR Brown group has 8 entities (Japan*3, China, Thailand, India, South Korea) established and deploy salesforces in Singapore and Vietnam as well to provide optimum solutions for each of the regional markets. Also, by identifying unique products specific to the country or region, AR Brown group is supplying such products to the global markets simultaneously. Our operating mechanism is that each entity can collaborate with the other entities understanding the characteristics of the country and leveraging strengths or benefits of the country so that AR Brown group can contribute effectively and efficiently to value creation of the customer. We hope to be a bridge between Asian countries and another bridge between Asia and the global market.

Japan

AR Brown Co., Ltd. and FB Automation Co., Ltd. exist. AR Brown Co., Ltd. has Tokyo HQs, Nagoya and Osaka offices, and Institute of Science and Technology.

China

Electronics Materials, Performance Chemical, Fine Chemical and Test & Measurement businesses are conducted for the China markets. For Performance Chemical and Fine Chemical businesses, it also has functionality to source products exporting to the other entities of the group. Branch office exists in Guangzhou.

Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam

Electronics Materials, Performance Chemical, Fine Chemical, Life Science and Test & Measurement businesses are conducted for the ASEAN markets. For Electronics Materials and Performance Chemical businesses, Thailand has functionality to source products exporting to the other entities of the group as well. Salesforces were deployed in Singapore and Vietnam respectively.

India

The entity started from sourcing of products for Performance Chemical and Fine Chemical businesses. As of now the entity conducts Electronics Materials, Performance Chemical, Fine Chemical, Hu-Vet and Test & Measurement businesses for the India markets. Furthermore, through investment into an Indian API and Intermediate manufacturer, contracted production capability for relevant products has been obtained.

South Korea

Electronics Material and Performance Chemical businesses are conducted.

AR BROWNOVERVIEW

AR Brown prioritizes added value mere scale.

AR Brown isn't a company that chases size for its own sake. However, we understand that numbers can be objective indicators to convey the essence of a company like ours, which truly values its people and products. With that in mind, we'd like to share some of our key metrics.

  • AR Brown Group Employee Engagement ScoreAA classApril,2025
    (L&M Link&Motivation Survey)

    Employee engagement fuels AR Brown's growth.

  • Group employees163Total of 6 group companies (2025.3.31)

  • Group sales19.0 billion yen(Fiscal Year 2024)

  • Capital adequacy ratio70.5%(Fiscal Year 2024)

  • Turnover5.8%(Fiscal Year 2024)
    ※Voluntary turnover rate

AR BROWNOWNER

Employees and Directors are the owners of AR Brown

AR Brown has been experiencing capital structure changes over time from the foreign capital company (A.B. McFarlen) to the parent company-owned company (Bokusu Brown). As of now, the Employees, the Directors and A.B.McFarlen are shareholders so that AR Brown can be an independent company. In short there is no owner or parent company, but we operate the company ourselves.

Shareholder Composition Ratio Graph

Shareholder Composition Ratio Graph