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Native name | パナソニック株式会社 |
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Type | Public |
Traded as | |
Industry | |
Founded | Osaka, Japan (March 13, 1918 ) |
Founder(s) | Konosuke Matsushita |
Headquarters | Kadoma, Osaka, Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
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Products | See products listing |
Revenue | ![]() |
Operating income | ![]() |
Profit | ![]() |
Total assets | ![]() |
Total equity | ![]() |
Employees | 330,767 (March 31, 2012)[* 2] |
Divisions | Panasonic Corporation of North America (US) |
Subsidiaries | |
Website | Panasonic.net |
References:
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Panasonic Corporation (パナソニック株式会社 Panasonikku Kabushiki-kaisha ), formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (松下電器産業株式会社 Matsushita Denki Sangyō Kabushiki-gaisha ), is a Japanese multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan.[2]
The company was founded in 1918, and has grown to become one of the largest Japanese electronics producers alongside Sony, Toshiba, Sharp Corporation, and Canon. In addition to electronics, it offers non-electronic products and services such as home renovation services. Panasonic is the world's fourth-largest television manufacturer and is among the world's 20 largest semiconductor vendors.[3]
Panasonic has a primary listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices. It has secondary listings on the Nagoya Stock Exchange, Osaka Securities Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Contents |
Name
From 1935 to October 1, 2008 the company name was "Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd."[4][5]
On January 10, 2008, the company announced that it would change its name to "Panasonic Corporation", with effect from October 1, 2008 to conform with its global brand name "Panasonic".[6] The name change was approved at a shareholders' meeting on June 26, 2008 after consultation with the Matsushita family.[7]
History
1918 to 2000
Panasonic was founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita as a vendor of duplex lamp sockets.[8] In 1927, it began producing bicycle lamps, the first product which it marketed under the brand name National. During World War II the company operated factories in Japan and other parts of Asia which produced electrical components and appliances such as light fixtures, motors, and electric irons.
After World War II, Panasonic regrouped and began to supply the post war boom in Japan with radios and appliances, as well as bicycles. Matsushita's brother-in-law, Toshio Iue, founded Sanyo as a subcontractor for components after World War II. Sanyo grew to become a competitor to Panasonic, but was later acquired by Panasonic in December 2009.
In 1961, Konosuke Matsushita traveled to the United States and met with American dealers. The company began producing television sets for the U.S. market under the Panasonic brand name, and expanded the use of the brand to Europe in 1979.[9]
The company used the National brand outside of North America from the 1950s to the 1970s (the trademark could not be used in the United States because it was already in use by the National Radio Company in a closely related product area). It sold televisions, VHS VCRs, hi-fidelity stereo receivers, multi-band shortwave radios, and marine radio direction finders, often exported to North America under various U.S. brand names. The company also developed a line of home appliances such as rice cookers for the Japanese and Asian markets. Rapid growth resulted in the company opening manufacturing plants around the world.
The company debuted a hi-fidelity audio speaker in Japan in 1965 with the brand Technics. This line of high quality stereo components became worldwide favorites. The most famous products being its turntables, such as the SL-1200 record player, known for its high performance, precision, and durability. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Panasonic continued to produce high-quality specialized electronics for niche markets such as shortwave radios, as well as developing a successful line of stereo receivers, CD players, and other components.
In 1973 Matsushita formed a joint venture with Anam Group, Anam National.
In 1983 the Panasonic Senior Partner IBM PC compatible computer featured a built-in printer and became the first Japanese-made computer to offer full IBM compatibility.[10]
In November 1990 Matsushita agreed to acquire the American media company MCA Inc. for US$6.59 billion.[11][12] Matsushita subsequently sold 80% of MCA to Seagram Company for US$7 billion in April 1995.[13][14]
In 1998 Matsushita sold Anam National to Anam Electronics.
In November 1999, the Japan Times reported that Panasonic planned to develop a "next generation first aid kit" called the Electronic Health Checker. At the time, the target market was said to be elderly people, especially those living in rural areas where medical help might not be immediately available, so it was planned that the kit would include support for telemedicine. The kits were then in the testing stage, with plans for eventual overseas distribution, to include the United States.
2000 to present
On January 19, 2006, Panasonic announced that it would stop producing analog televisions (then 30% of its total TV business) from the next month, in order to concentrate on digital televisions.[15]
On November 3, 2008, Panasonic and Sanyo announced that they were holding merger talks, which eventually resulted in the acquisition of Sanyo by Panasonic.[16][17] The merger was completed in December 2009, and resulted in a corporation with revenues of over ¥11.2 trillion (around $110 billion).[18]
With the announcement that Pioneer would exit the production of its Kuro plasma HDTV displays, Panasonic purchased many of the patents and incorporated these technologies into its own t plasma displays.
In April 2011, it was announced that Panasonic would cut its work force by 40,000 by the end of fiscal 2012 in a bid to streamline overlapping operations. The curtailment is about 10 percent of its group work force.[19]
In October 2011, Panasonic announced that it would trim its money-losing TV business by ceasing production of Plasma TVs at its plant in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture by March 2012, cutting 1,000 jobs in the process.[20]
In January 2012, Panasonic announced that it had struck a deal with Myspace on its new venture, Myspace TV.[21] Myspace TV will allow users to watch live television while chatting with other users on a laptop, tablet or the television itself. With the partnership, Myspace TV will be integrated into Panasonic Viera televisions.[22]
On May 11, 2012, Panasonic announced plans to acquire a 76.2% stake in Firepro Systems, an India-based company in infrastructure protection and security solutions such as fire alarm, fire suppression, video surveillance and building management.[23]
In line with company prediction of a net loss of 765 billion yen, on November 5, 2012, the shares fell to the lowest level since February 1975 to 388 yen. In 2012, the shares plunged 41 percent.[24] On November 14, 2012, Panasonic said it will cut 10,000 jobs and make further divestments.[25]
Current operations
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20130424234125im_/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Matsushita_IMP_Building_20061105-001.jpg/220px-Matsushita_IMP_Building_20061105-001.jpg)
Panasonic Automotive Systems
Panasonic is one of the world's largest original equipment manufacturers of factory installed mobile audio equipment such as headunits, speakers and navigation modules[citation needed]. They have been a subcontractor to most major auto manufacturers, supplying virtually every Japanese automaker, along with Europe's largest automaker, Volkswagen and America's largest automaker, General Motors[citation needed].
Panasonic also formerly manufactured aftermarket vehicle audio products such as head units and speakers.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC), a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, is a supplier of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems.[26] Headquartered in Lake Forest, California where engineering, development and testing is performed while system installation, field engineering, major quality functions, certification and program management are performed at the Bothell, Washington facility - Panasonic Avionics Corporation employs approximately 3,300 employees based in over 70 locations worldwide, with major facilities in London, Toulouse, Hamburg, Dallas, Dubai and Singapore[citation needed]. A majority of the component manufacturing is carried out in Osaka, Japan.
Panasonic Mobile Communications
Panasonic Mobile Communications manufactures mobile phone handsets and related equipment. As of 2012 it had around a 20 per cent share of the Japanese handset market.[27] Panasonic used to market mobile phone handsets worldwide, but in December 2005 announced its withdrawal from overseas markets due to poor sales. Panasonic returned to the overseas market in 2012, with the release of the Panasonic Eluga Android-powered smartphone.
Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America is Panasonic's principal subsidiary in the United States, and has been headquartered in Secaucus, Northeastern New Jersey since the 1980s. Its headquarters are planned to move to Newark in 2013.[28] Founded in New York City at the MetLife Building in September 1959, it was known as Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA) prior to 2005.
Panasonic Corporation in Europe
Panasonic's principal subsidiaries in Europe are Panasonic Europe Ltd.[29] and Panasonic Marketing Europe Gmbh.[30] Panansonic employs around 12,000 people in Europe, and the region generates around 10 per cent of its total revenues.[31] In 2012 Panasonic had around a 10 per cent share of the consumer electronics market in Europe, ranking third behind Samsung Electronics (with 26 per cent) and LG Electronics (with 12 per cent).[31]
Panasonic operates a chain of stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland called "Panasonic Store" which exclusively sell Panasonic products. Prior to 2008 the chain was named "shop@Panasonic".
In November 2010, Panasonic Electric Works established Panasonic Electric Works Vossloh-Schwabe Serbia d.o.o, a new company in Svilajnac, Serbia, to manufacture energy-efficient electronic devices (ballasts) for lighting fixtures. Volume production commenced in January 2011.[32]
Panasonic Corporation of India
Panasonic Corporation of India is Panasonic's principal subsidiary in India. It is headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. Manish Sharma is the current Managing Director.[33]
Panasonic Corporation in Indonesia
Panasonic Gobel Indonesia is the name of the company's Indonesia division based in Cawang, East Jakarta. Ichiro Suganuma is the current President Director and Rachmat Gobel is the current Commissioners. Rachmat Gobel also Commissioners of Indosat. Panasonic Gobel Indonesia is 100% owned by Bhakti Investama and Global Mediacom. The acquisition of Panasonic Gobel Indonesia by Bhakti Investama and Global Mediacom (MNC Media) results in holding the Panasonic Gobel Awards which always broadcasted by RCTI, MNCTV, Global TV, SINDOtv, and MNC Channels.
Former operations
Universal Studios
Panasonic used to own Universal Studios, then known as the Music Corporation of America, since acquiring the company in 1990 but sold it to Seagram in 1995. Universal Studios is now a unit of NBC Universal.
Brand names
Panasonic Corporation produces electronic products under the Panasonic and Sanyo brands. The Sanyo brand is being phased out[citation needed].
In 1927, the company founder adopted a brand name "National" (ナショナル Nashonaru ) for a new lamp product, knowing "national" meant "of or relating to a people, a nation."[34] In 1955, the company labeled its export audio speakers and lamps "PanaSonic", which was the first time it used the "Panasonic" brand name.[35] The company began to use a brand name "Technics" in 1965.[35] The use of multiple brands lasted for some decades.[35]
In May 2003, the company announced "Panasonic" as its global brand, and set its global brand slogan, "Panasonic ideas for life."[36] The company began to unify its brands to "Panasonic" and, by March 2004 replaced "National" for products and outdoor signboards, except for those in Japan.[36] In January 2008, the company announced that it would phase out the brand "National" in Japan, replacing it with the global brand "Panasonic" by March 2010.[6]
Rasonic is a brand name of Shun Hing Electric Works and Engineering Co. Ltd (信興電工工程有限公司), a company that has imported Panasonic and National branded product since Matsushita Electric Industrial era, and has also sold MEI/Panasonic products under the original brand names. In June 1994, Panasonic Shun Hing Industrial Devices Sales (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. (松下信興機電(香港)有限公司) and Panasonic SH Industrial Sales (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (松下電器機電(深圳)有限公司) were established by joint venture between Matsushita Electric Industrial and Shun Hing Group respectively,[37][38] making Rasonic a product brand for MEI and subsequent Panasonic Corporation.
Sponsorships
Football
Panasonic owns Gamba Osaka, a team from the J. League, the main Japanese soccer league[citation needed].
Panasonic is an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer.[39]
Between 1981 and 1983 Panasonic were the shirt sponsors of English football club Nottingham Forest F.C.[citation needed].
On January 16, 2010, Panasonic signed a three-year, Rs. 4.7 crores (US$1 million) jersey sponsorship deal for the India national football team.[40]
Other
Panasonic were a primary sponsor of Toyota's Formula One program, Panasonic Toyota Racing[citation needed]. Hiro Matsushita, grandson of the company founder, is a former race car driver who ran a company overseeing sponsorship arrangements for the company.
Panasonic has sponsored some professional filmmakers by allowing them to borrow a camera for their projects. One such Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 model camera was used to film the pilot of the Swedish horror film Marianne.[41]
Panasonic has been a top level sponsor of the Olympic Games since the Seoul Olympics in 1988.[42]
Panasonic was the official partner and sponsor of the Boston Celtics from 1975 to 1989, along with Technics[citation needed]. Various Panasonic ads appeared at the old Boston Garden during the 1980s.
Environmental record
Panasonic is ranked in joint 9th place (out of 15) in Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, which ranks electronics manufacturers on policies and practices to reduce their impact on the climate, produce greener products, and make their operations more sustainable.[43] The company is one of the top scorers on the Products criteria, praised for its good product life cycles and the number of products which are free from polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC). It also scores maximum points for the energy efficiency of its products with 100 percent of its TVs meeting the latest Energy Star standards and exceeding the standby power requirement.
However, Panasonic's score is let down by its low score on the Energy criteria, with the Guide stating it must focus on planned reductions of greenhouse gases (GHG), set targets to reduce GHG emissions by at least 30% by 2015 and increase renewable energy use by 2020.[43]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Financial Statements For Panasonic Corp (6752)". businessweek.com. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
- ^ "Corporate Profile." Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved on February 15, 2011. "Head Office Location 1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan" (PDF Map, GIF Map (Direct link))
- ^ "Forbes Global 2000 Profile". Forbes. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ^ 松下電器産業株式会社が「パナソニック株式会社」に社名変更, Panasonic Corporation. 2008-10-01. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.(Japanese).
- ^ "Matsushita Electric Becomes Panasonic Corporation". Panasonic Corporation. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
- ^ a b "Matsushita Electric to Change Name to Panasonic Corporation". Panasonic Corporation. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
- ^ "Shareholders of Matsushita approve company name change to Panasonic". International Herald Tribune. June 26, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
- ^ "Panasonic Corp (PCRFF:OTC US)". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved March 14, 2012..
- ^ Panasonic expands use of Panasonic brand name globally[dead link] in April, 2003. /* Introduction */ Shahid Kapoor was the brand ambassador for Panasonic India from 2005-2010. Now Ranbir Kapoor has take over along with Katrina Kaif
- ^ "Panasonic Senior Partner".
- ^ "It's a Wrap: MCA Sold : Matsushita to Pay About $6.6 Billion". The Los Angeles Times. 26 November 1990. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Who Gets What From MCA Deal". The New York Times. 1 December 1990. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Seagram heads for Hollywood; Seagram will buy 80% of big studio from Matsushita". The New York Times. 7 April 1995. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Matsushita, Freed of MCA, Reports a Profit". The New York Times. 28 August 1996. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ Perton, Marc (January 19, 2006). "Panasonic exiting analog TV business - Engadget". Engadget. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ^ "Panasonic aims to take over Sanyo". BBC News. November 7, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic set to buy rival Sanyo". BBC News. 19 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic officially owns Sanyo and boasts the world's largest plasma panel plant now". Tech Crunch. December 22, 2009.
- ^ The Jakarta Post (April 28, 2011). "Reports: Panasonic to cut 40,000 jobs". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved May 26, 2012. Text " Thu, 04/28/2011 8:10 AM " ignored (help)
- ^ "Panasonic to trim TV business, cut 1,000 jobs " Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion". Japan Today. October 20, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ Junko Yoshida, EE Times. "3-D TV or Myspace TV?." January 10, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
- ^ Dylan Tweney (January 9, 2012). "Myspace reinvents itself as an "entertainment experience," with help from Panasonic and Justin Timberlake". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic acquires 76% stake in Firepro-Systems". Economoctimes.indiatimes.com. May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic Falls to 37-Year Low on Wider Loss Target". November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic prepares for "garage sale", to axe 10,000 jobs". Reuters. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic Avionics".
- ^ "Panasonic to launch waterproof Eluga phone". The Telegraph. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ "Panasonic overview".
- ^ "Company Overview of Panasonic Europe Ltd.". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Company Overview of Panasonic Marketing Europe Gmbh". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Panasonic executive says Europe consumer sales hold up". Reuters. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ "Panasonic". Panasonic Electric Works. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "Panasonic appoints Manish Sharma as MD". The Economic Times. 2012-03-06.
- ^ "Panasonic History: 1927". Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2008. Text " Square bicycle lamp developed and marketed" ignored (help)
- ^ a b c "Brand History". Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
- ^ a b "社史:2003年(平成15年) グローバルブランドを「Panasonic」に統一". Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2008. (Japanese)
- ^ PSIDS (China (Guangdong), Hong Kong, Macau)
- ^ PSIDS(中国(广东),香港,澳门)
- ^ "Panasonic renews with MLS, adds U.S. national teams". Sports Business Daily. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "AIFF signs Rs 4.7 crore deal with new sponsor". The Times of India. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Marianne". DVXUSER. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
- ^ "Olympic Affiliates Also Go for Gold". The New York Times. 15 December 1987. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Guide to Greener Electronics - Greenpeace International". Greenpeace International. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
Further reading
- Kotter, John P. (1997). Matsushita Leadership: Lessons from the 20th Century's Most Remarkable Entrepreneur. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 9780684834603. OCLC 35620432.
External links
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