1970 - 2010

Memphis, an entirely Brazilian organization, has been operating ever since the computer was known as the "electronic brain". In the beginning of the 1970’s, when only major multinational companies, banks, and a few state-owned companies used computers, the Extralife brand was already synonymous with quality supply products.

Since then, this has been our distinguishing feature and unique position in the hectic computer market. Memphis is renowned for offering compatible, updated, world-class and high-performance products. The goal of our top management has always been to operate a highly competitive company, geared to meet the agility of the market and capable of holding an outstanding position year after year.

By anticipating the needs of our customers, offering innovative products and making use of state-of-the art technology, our brand has achieved all its objectives. In the course of the past 40 years, as computers became increasingly lighter, cheaper, and popular, Memphis invested in its development, becoming more and more efficient.

Quality assurance remains paramount to the company. From continuous-feed paper in the 70’s to present-day synthetic paper, which allows fantastic photographic resolution printing, the Extralife brand name continues to represent the same thing. Compatible last-generation products offering total quality warranty in Brazil and in other 14 Latin American countries.

Our Time Line shows the events of a continuous history marked by an ongoing search for quality.

1970

• Memphis Indústria e Comércio Ltda. starts its operations in its facilities at the Barra Funda district in the city of São Paulo.

• The company manufactures and supplies file folders and carbon paper.

1972

• Introduces continuous-feed paper folders in the market.

1973

• Expands the line of mainframe supply products and offers printing labels, magnetic tapes and continuous-feed paper.

• Introduces its line of modular files for print output.

End of the 1970’s

• In addition to marketing one of the most complete computer supply lines, Memphis becomes the exclusive 3M representative in Brazil (600, 1200, and 2400 feet magnetic tapes).

1980

• Memphis launches the 3M floppy disk, introducing this new product in the Brazilian market.

1981

• Memphis starts to import and market Verbatim (USA) floppy disks.

1982

Signs an exclusive representative agreement with Verbatim.

The company moves to its new 4,000 square meter building on Angélica Avenue, São Paulo.

Develops personal computer furniture (desks).

Discontinues it filing folder and carbon paper business. Memphis becomes totally dedicated to computer products.

Introduces new computer products.

Launches the Extralife brand.

Starts producing matrix and line printer cartridges in order to enhance the quality of these products, whose suppliers failed to offer quality products.

Sets up a production line at a special area of its Angélica Avenue premises with the purpose of developing new matrix printer technologies and models, investing one million dollars in plastic injection molds.

1984

• New production facilities at its headquarters incorporating new technologies for the production of matrix printer cartridges.

• The company’s product catalogue boasts 400 items, including matrix printer cartridges, furniture, own manufacture products and several other items distributed by the company.

• Over 30,000 registered customers and users.

1989

• Consumption of matrix printers increases.

•Memphis decides to carry only the products it manufactures and discontinues its distribution business.

• Eliminates all products from its catalogue as stocks end and focuses on the production of matrix printer tapes.

1990

• Opens a new 4,200 square meter industrial unit on the Pico do Jaraguá, São Paulo.

Former computer supply products distribution competitors become customers and start to distribute Extralife tapes.

1996

• Introduces Ink Jet supplies.

• Develops new technologies for the production of ink jet cartridges and refill systems.

1998

• Introduces the Image Supply concept.

• Launches new product lines, such as special papers, transparencies and bar-code ribbons.

1999

• Opens new 5.500 square meter factory, one of the largest supply factories in Latin America, located just one kilometer away from the old factory.

2002

• Launches a new line of paper, consisting of four different types.