Panasonic: Difference between revisions
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===Panasonic and Universal=== |
===Panasonic and Universal=== |
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Panasonic used to own [[Universal Studios]], then known as the [[MCA Inc.|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]]. |
Panasonic used to own [[Universal Studios]], then known as the [[MCA Inc.|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]]. |
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Panasonic Corporation |
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
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Jump to: navigation, search |
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Panasonic Corporation |
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パナソニック株式会社 |
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Type Public |
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NYSE: PC |
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TYO: 6752 |
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Industry Consumer electronics |
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Founded Osaka, Japan |
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(March 13, 1918 (1918-03-13)) |
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Founder(s) Konosuke Matsushita |
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Headquarters Kadoma, Osaka, Japan |
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Area served Worldwide |
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Key people Kunio Nakamura |
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(Chairman) |
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Masayuki Matsushita |
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(Vice Chairman) |
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Fumio Ohtsubo |
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(President) |
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Products See List of Panasonic Corporation products |
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AVC networks |
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Home appliances |
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Components and devices |
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digital cameras |
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others |
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Revenue US$79.388 billion (2010)[1] |
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Operating income US$2.551 billion (2010)[1] |
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Profit US$1.107 billion (2010)[1] |
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Total assets US$89.448 billion (2010)[1] |
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Total equity US$29.885 billion (2010)[1] |
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Employees 384,586 (March 31, 2010)[1] |
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Subsidiaries Sanyo |
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Website Panasonic.net |
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Panasonic Corporation (パナソニック株式会社, Panasonikku Kabushiki-gaisha?) (TYO: 6752, NYSE: PC), 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 consumer electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Its main business is in electronics manufacturing and it produces products under a variety of names including Panasonic and Technics. |
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Since its founding in 1918, it has grown to become the largest Japanese electronics producer. In addition to electronics, Panasonic offers non-electronic products and services such as home renovation services. Panasonic was ranked the 89th-largest company in the world in 2009 by the Forbes Global 2000 and is among the Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders.[2] |
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Contents [hide] |
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1 Name |
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2 History |
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2.1 National/Panasonic bicycles |
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2.2 Electronics |
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2.3 Panasonic and Universal |
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3 Brands and divisions |
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3.1 Brand names |
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3.2 Automobile audio |
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3.3 Panasonic Corporation of North America |
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3.4 Panasonic Corporation in Europe |
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3.5 Panasonic Corporation in Serbia |
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3.6 Panasonic Mobile Communications |
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3.7 Panasonic Avionics Corporation |
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4 Partners |
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5 Sponsorship |
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6 Environmental record |
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7 Panasonic in popular culture |
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8 See also |
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9 Notes |
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10 Further reading |
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11 External links |
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[edit] Name |
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For 90 years since establishment, the name of the company was always topped with "松下" ("Matsushita"). The company's name before 1 October 2008 had been "Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.", used since 1935.[3][4] |
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In 1927, the company founder adopted a brand name "National" (ナショナル, National?) for a new lamp product, knowing "national" meant "of or relating to a people, a nation."[5] In 1955, the company labeled its export audio speakers and lamps "PanaSonic", which was the first time it used its "Panasonic" brand name.[6] The company began to use a brand name "Technics" in 1965.[6] The use of multiple brands lasted for some decades.[6] |
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In May 2003, the company put "Panasonic" as its global brand, and set its global brand slogan, "Panasonic ideas for life."[7] 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[7]. |
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On January 10, 2008, the company announced that it would change its name to "Panasonic Corporation" (effective on October 1, 2008) and phase out the brand "National" in Japan, replacing it with the global brand "Panasonic" (by March 2010)[8]. The name change was approved at a shareholders' meeting on June 26, 2008[9] after consultation with the Matsushita family. |
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[edit] History |
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Panasonic was founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita first selling duplex lamp sockets. In 1927, it produced a bicycle lamp, the first product it marketed under the brand name National. It operated factories in Japan and other parts of Asia through the end of World War II, producing electrical components and appliances such as light fixtures, motors, and electric irons. |
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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 WWII. Sanyo grew to become a competitor to Panasonic. |
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[edit] National/Panasonic bicycles |
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The production of high-quality road and touring bicycles and bicycle components composed a little-known but substantial portion of the appliance division of the National/Panasonic corporation from 1945 through the end of the 1980s. As a child, Konosuke Matsushita, founder of National/Panasonic, had been adopted into a family who owned a small bicycle shop, and was passionate about bicycles and cycling.[10] |
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National and Panasonic bicycles were sold both in Japan and overseas to various retailers, who sometimes rebadged the bikes with private labels. Despite competition from other Japanese manufacturers, Matsushita enacted a corporate policy forbidding low quality in Panasonic bicycles no matter what the profit margins. When Schwinn was forced by economics to outsource bicycles built overseas, they chose the Panasonic World series, a successful model in production from 1972. As the only vendor to meet Schwinn's rigid manufacturing and production standards, Panasonic built several models for Schwinn, such as the World Traveller and the World Voyager. During the 1970s and 1980s, Panasonic produced a full range of lugged steel frame bicycles, produced in modern factories complete with robotic welding/brazing and advanced paint application equipment. Panasonic's bicycle tires had higher thread counts and thicker treads than their competition, and established a reputation for uniformity and high quality.[11] |
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From 1985 on, steady increases in the value of the Japanese yen and lower cost competition from Taiwan made Panasonic bicycles less competitive in the U.S. and other markets. Panasonic began to sell rebadged bikes made in Taiwan under their name. By 1989, Panasonic division managers were reporting that bicycles brought less revenue (and less profit) per square foot of warehouse than any other product in the corporate division. Following the death of Konosuke Matsushita, Panasonic abandoned the US bicycle market at the end of September, 1989.[11] |
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[edit] Electronics |
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Panasonic DR48/RF-4800 desktop shortwave radio receiver (1976)In 1961, Konosuke Matsushita traveled to the United States and met with American dealers. Panasonic 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.[12] |
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The company used the National trademark outside of North America during the 1950s through the 1970s. (The trademark could not be used probably due to discriminatory application of trademark laws where brands like General Motors were registrable.) It sold televisions, 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. National/Panasonic quickly developed a reputation for well-made, reliable products. |
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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 product still made today is 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. |
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Panasonic in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Foreground left: Panasonic Konosuke Matsushita Museum; behind: Corporate R&D laboratoriesSince 2004, Toyota has used Panasonic batteries for its Toyota Prius, an environmentally friendly car made in Japan.[13] |
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On January 19, 2006 Panasonic announced that, starting in February, it will stop producing analog televisions (then 30% of its total TV business) to concentrate on digital TVs.[14] |
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On November 3, 2008 Panasonic and Sanyo were in talks, resulting in the eventual acquisition of Sanyo. The merger was completed in December 2009, and resulted in a mega-corporation with revenues over ¥11.2 trillion (around $110 billion). As part of what will be Japan's biggest electronics company, the Sanyo brand and most of the employees will be retained as a subsidiary.[15][16] |
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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. |
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In recent years the company has been involved with the development of high-density optical disc standards intended to eventually replace the DVD and the SD memory card. |
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On July 29, 2010 Panasonic reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares of Panasonic Electric Works and Sanyo shares for $9.4 billion.[17][18][19] |
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[edit] Panasonic and Universal |
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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. |
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[edit] Brands and divisions |
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[edit] Brand names |
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Panasonic produces electronic products under a variety of names, including: |
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Panasonic (home appliances, personal electronics, audio/video equipment, microchips, automotive components) |
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Technics (music equipment like headphones and turntables, overlaps with Panasonic branded products in some audio categories) |
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Sanyo became a subsidiary of Panasonic on December 21, 2009. |
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[edit] Automobile audio |
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Panasonic sells radio (audio) products for automobiles and light trucks in the US market under the Panasonic brand (aftermarket) and as OEM equipment in Japanese automobile brands such as Toyota, Honda and Subaru. Non-Japanese automakers such as GM and Volkswagen have also used OEM stereos made by Panasonic. |
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[edit] Panasonic Corporation of North America |
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Panasonic Corporation of North America is the name of the company's USA division, currently headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.[20] 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. |
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[edit] Panasonic Corporation in Europe |
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Shop@Panasonic is a chain of stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland which sells only Panasonic electronics. The store is based on the same structure as Sony Centre. The stores are usually located in shopping centres such as Centrale, and brand itself the official Panasonic retailer. |
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Since 2008 shop@Panasonic stores officially rebranded to "Panasonic Store". |
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[edit] Panasonic Corporation in Serbia |
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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 will commence in January 2011.[21] |
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[edit] Panasonic Mobile Communications |
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Panasonic Mobile Communications manufactures mobile handsets and related equipment for the Japanese market. It has the second largest market share for mobile phones in Japan after Sharp. It used to market its GSM phones worldwide, but in December 2005 the company announced its withdrawal from overseas markets. In summer 2008 rumors emerged that the company was considering to re-enter the Asian market with its VS84 handset. |
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[edit] Panasonic Avionics Corporation |
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Panasonic Avionics Corporation[22] (PAC), a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems. 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 2,800 employees based in over 70 locations worldwide, with major facilities in London, Toulouse, Hamburg, Dallas, Dubai and Singapore. A majority of the component manufacturing is carried out in Osaka, Japan. |
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The company provides airline passengers with a wide array of interactive applications at their seats, combining entertainment (digital music and movies on demand, games, interactive moving maps, satellite TV, and online shopping) with business tools (E-mail, live flight schedules, and in-flight internet access). PAC is also one of the chief suppliers to both Boeing and Airbus and their IFE systems will be featured on both the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 aircraft. Among the many worldwide customers that use PAC systems are award-winning airlines such as Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. |
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[edit] Partners |
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In early 2008, Panasonic partnered with Shopatron to handle its online order fulfillment, incorporating retailers into the online sale.[23] |
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[edit] Sponsorship |
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Panasonic were the principal sponsors of the now defunct Toyota Racing Formula One team.Panasonic were a primary sponsor of Toyota's Formula One program, Panasonic Toyota Racing. Hiro Matsushita, grandson of the company founder, is a former race car driver who run a company overseeing sponsorship arrangements for the company. |
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Panasonic is an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer. |
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Panasonic also owns Gamba Osaka, a team from the J. League, the main Japanese soccer league. |
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Panasonic sponsored Sterling Marlin in the Nextel Cup Series. Panasonic was to sponsor the 14 in 24 races but the team shut down in July |
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Panasonic is the primary sponsor of the 2007 World Solar Challenge.[24] |
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Panasonic has been a "top" sponsor of the Olympic Games since Seoul in 1988 |
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Panasonic is the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner for 2008 Summer Olympics. |
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They were originally the official partner and sponsor of the Boston Celtics from 1975 to 1989, along with Technics. Various Panasonic ads appear at the old Boston Garden during the 1980s. |
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Panasonic on January 16, 2010, signed a 3 year, Rs. 4.7 crores ($1 million USD) jersey sposnorship deal for the India national football team. |
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[edit] Environmental record |
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Panasonic is ranked on 6th place out of 18 in Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics (company shares 6th place with its competitors Motorola and Sony). The company mainly gains its points for the voluntary take-back of its products, in particular for launching the first programme for the take-back of TVs in a non-OECD country. Despite this, it is still weakest on the criteria relating to e-waste and recycling and scores best on the chemicals and energy criteria. [25] |
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The company is aiming to discontinue use of PVC in internal wiring of new products globally by March 2011. [26] It is also planning to eliminate the use of PVC in notebooks by the end of 2011 globally. All new models of mobile phones and computers should be free of BFRs by 2011, but there is no commitment to eliminate BFRs and PVC from Panasonic’s whole product portfolio. [27] |
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Panasonic gets full marks in the Greenpeace’s ranking for reporting that 100% of new models of TVs meet the latest ES requirement, and most models (nearly 84%) exceed the standby mode requirement by 70% or more. [28] |
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[edit] Panasonic in popular culture |
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This "In popular culture" section may contain minor or trivial references. Please reorganize this content to explain the subject's impact on popular culture rather than simply listing appearances, and remove trivial references. (September 2009) |
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In the popular Japanese Asahi Broadcasting Corporation program Panel Quiz Attack 25, the panel used in the stage setup was developed by Panasonic. During the early days of the show, Panasonic's technical staff was stationed at the recording studio, in case of any unexpected occurrences. |
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Panasonic is also known for featuring Japanese pop superstar Ayumi Hamasaki in their TV commercials. |
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Pan Sonic, the Finnish experimental electronic music duo was originally called Panasonic, but the name was changed after the corporation threatened with legal action. |
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[edit] See also |
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Companies portal |
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List of Panasonic Corporation products |
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Panasonic CD interface |
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List of Japanese companies |
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Gamba Osaka |
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Technics |
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Hirofumi Hirano |
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Hiro Matsushita |
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Toughbook |
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Viera Cast |
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Toyota Racing |
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Lumix |
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JVC |
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[edit] Notes |
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^ a b c d e f "Panasonic Corp (6752.T) Financial Statements". http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=PC+Income+Statement&annual. Retrieved 2010-05-23. |
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^ Forbes Global 2000 Profile, Forbes. Retrieved January 3, 2010. |
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^ 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). |
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^ Matsushita Electric Becomes Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation. 2008-10-01. Retrieved on 2008-10-03. |
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^ Panasonic History: 1927 | Square bicycle lamp developed and marketed, Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-10-02. |
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^ a b c Brand History, Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-10-02. |
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^ 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 on 2008-10-02. (Japanese) |
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^ Matsushita Electric to Change Name to Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation. 2008-01-10. Retrieved on 2008-10-03. |
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^ Shareholders of Matsushita approve company name change to Panasonic, International Herald Tribune, 2008-06-26. Retrieved on 2008-10-03. |
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^ Panasonic Bicycles at Yellow Jersey (2007), Article |
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^ a b Panasonic Bicycles at Yellow Jersey (2007) |
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^ Panasonic expands use of Panasonic brand name globally[dead link] in April, 2003 |
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^ "PRIUS+ Fact Sheet: version 1.3". CalCars. http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/8.html. Retrieved 2010-08-28. |
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^ Perton, Marc (2006-01-19). "Panasonic exiting analog TV business - Engadget". Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/19/panasonic-exiting-analog-tv-business/. Retrieved 2009-07-01. |
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^ Takahiko Hyuga (2008-11-03). "Panasonic Agrees to Buy Controlling Stake in Sanyo, Nikkei Says". Bloomberg.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aJHUHunAg2Rw&refer=japan. Retrieved 2003-07-01. |
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^ Takenaka, Kiyoshi (2009-06-19). "Panasonic mulls Sanyo offer in July or August - Kyodo | Industries | Consumer Goods & Retail". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST10844720090619. Retrieved 2009-07-01. |
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^ Announcement of Agreements toward Panasonic’s Acquisition of All Shares of Panasonic Electric Works and SANYO |
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^ Panasonic buying Sanyo and other unit for $9.4 billion |
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^ Consolidation Continues: Panasonic To Buy Sanyo |
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^ Panasonic overview |
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^ [1] |
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^ Panasonic Avionics. |
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^ Panasonic announces partnership with Shopatron |
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^ World Solar Challenge Homepage |
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^ "Guide to Greener Electronics - Greenpeace International". Greenpeace International. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/Guide-to-Greener-Electronics/. Retrieved 2011-01-02. |
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^ "Management of Chemical Substances in Products:Overview". Panasonic Global. http://www.panasonic.net/eco/products/chemical_substance/enlarge_01.html. Retrieved 2011-01-12. |
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^ "Ranking tables October 2010 - Panasonic". Greenpeace International. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/toxics/2010/version16/Ranking%20tables%20Oct%202010-Panasonic.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-12. |
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^ "Ranking tables October 2010 - Panasonic". Greenpeace International. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/toxics/2010/version16/Ranking%20tables%20Oct%202010-Panasonic.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-12. |
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[edit] Further reading |
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Matsushita Leadership by John Paul Kotter, Simon and Schuster (1998) |
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[edit] External links |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Panasonic |
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Panasonic Global |
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[show]v · d · ePanasonic Corporation |
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Subsidiaries: National (phased out) · Technics · Sanyo (acquired 2009) · Quasar · Rasonic · JVC (spun off) |
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related people: Konosuke Matsushita · Hirofumi Hirano |
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Annual Revenue: 8,713 billion Yen ( FY 2004) · Employees: 334,752 · Stock Symbol: (TYO: 6752, NYSE: MC) · Website: http://panasonic.net/ |
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[show]v · d · eTOPIX 100 companies of Japan |
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Core 30 7&i · Astellas · Canon · Honda · JFE · JR East · JT · KDDI · KEPCO · Komatsu · Mitsubishi Corporation · Mitsubishi Estate · Mitsui & Co. · Mizuho · MUFG · Nintendo · Nippon Steel · Nissan · Nomura · NTT · NTT docomo · Panasonic · Shin-Etsu · Sony · Sumitomo Mitsui Financial · Takeda · TEPCO · Tokio Marine · Toshiba · Toyota |
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Large 70 ÆON · AGC · Asahi Kasei · Bank of Yokohama · Bridgestone · Chubu Electric Power · Daiichi Sankyo · Daikin · Daiwa House · Daiwa Securities · Denso · DNP · Eisai · FANUC · Fujifilm · Fujitsu · Hitachi · Hoya · INPEX · Itochu · JR Central · JR West · Kao · Keyence · Kirin · Kobelco · Kubota · Kyocera · Kyushu Electric Power · Marubeni · Mitsubishi Chemical · Mitsubishi Electric · Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · Mitsui Fudosan · MOL · MSIG · Murata · NEC · Nidec · Nikon · Nippon Oil · Nitto Denko · ORIX · Resona · Ricoh · Rohm · Secom · Sekisui House · Sharp · Shiseido · SMC · SoftBank · Sompo Japan · Sumitomo Chemical · Sumitomo Corporation · Sumitomo Electric · Sumitomo Metal Mining · Sumitomo Metals · Sumitomo Realty · Sumitomo Trust · Suzuki · T&D Holdings · TDK · Tohoku Electric Power · Tokyo Electron · Tokyo Gas · Toppan · Toray · Yahoo! Japan · Yamada Denki |
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[show]v · d · eConsumer electronics in Japan |
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Akai · Alaxala Networks · Alinco · Alps · Alpine · Anritsu · AOR · Brother · Canon · Casio · Cateye · Chinon · Citizen Watch · Copal · Clarion · Contec · Cosina · D&M Holdings · Daikin · Denso · DNP · DX Antenna · Eizo · Elpida · Epson · FANUC · Fostex · Fuji Electric · Fujikura · Fuji Xerox · Fujifilm · Fujitsu · Funai · Futaba · Hamamatsu Photonics · Hitachi · Hoya · I-O Data · Ibanez · Icom · Iwatsu · JEOL · JRC · JR Propo · JVC Kenwood Holdings · Kawai · Keyence · Kikusui · Kiramek · KO Propo · Konica Minolta · Korg · Kyocera · Luxman · Mabuchi Motor · Mamiya · Maspro · Maxell · Melco · Mimaki · Minebea · Mitsubishi · Mitsumi · Murata Manufacturing · Mutoh · Nakamichi · NEC · Nichia · Nikon · Nintendo · Nitto Denko · Oki · Olympus · Omron · Onkyo · Orion Electric · Panasonic · Pentax · Pioneer · Pixela · Plextor · Renesas · Ricoh · Rohm · Roland · Rubycon · Sansui · Sanwa Denshi · Sanwa Electronic Instrument · Sanyo · Sega Sammy Holdings · Seiko · Sharp · Shimadzu · SII · Sony · Stax · Sumitomo Electric · Sigma · Taiyo Yuden · Tamron · TEAC · TDK · Tiger · Toshiba · Uniden · Wacom · Yaesu · Yagi-Uda · Yamaha · Yaskawa · Zojirushi · Zuken |
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[show]v · d · ePower tool manufacturers |
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Altendorf · Cooper Power Tools (Gardner Denver) · Bosch (Dremel, Hawera, RotoZip, Skil) · Chang Type Industrial Co., Ltd. (Delta Machinery) · Emerson (Ridgid) · Fein · Festool · Flex-Elektrowerkzeuge · Hilti · Hitachi · Husqvarna (McCulloch, Poulan) · Ingersoll Rand · Mafell · Makita (Dolmar) · Metabo · Panasonic · Illinois Tool Works (Miller, Paslode) · Stanley Black & Decker (Bostitch, DeVilbiss Air Power, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Virax) · Stihl · Techtronic Industries (AEG, Homelite, Milwaukee, Ryobi) |
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_Corporation" |
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Categories: Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange | Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange | Companies established in 1918 | Electronics companies | Semiconductor companies | Display technology companies | Mobile phone manufacturers | Home appliance manufacturers | Panasonic Corporation | Electronics companies of Japan | Companies based in Osaka Prefecture | Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange | Portable audio player manufacturers | Cycle manufacturers | Power tool manufacturers | HVAC manufacturing companies | Multinational companies | Companies based in Hudson County, New Jersey | Photography companies of Japan |
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Hidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from July 2009 | Articles containing Japanese language text | Articles with trivia sections from September 2009 |
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==Brands and divisions== |
==Brands and divisions== |
Revision as of 17:35, 31 January 2011
Company type | Public NYSE: PC TYO: 6752 |
---|---|
Industry | Consumer electronics |
Founded | Osaka, Japan (March 13, 1918 ) |
Founder | Konosuke Matsushita |
Headquarters | , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Kunio Nakamura (Chairman) Masayuki Matsushita (Vice Chairman) Fumio Ohtsubo (President) |
Products | See List of Panasonic Corporation products AVC networks Home appliances Components and devices digital cameras others |
Revenue | US$79.388 billion (2010)[1] |
US$2.551 billion (2010)[1] | |
US$1.107 billion (2010)[1] | |
Total assets | US$89.448 billion (2010)[1] |
Total equity | US$29.885 billion (2010)[1] |
Number of employees | 384,586 (March 31, 2010)[1] |
Subsidiaries | Sanyo |
Website | Panasonic.net |
Panasonic Corporation (パナソニック株式会社, Panasonikku Kabushiki-gaisha) (TYO: 6752, NYSE: PC), 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 consumer electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Its main business is in electronics manufacturing and it produces products under a variety of names including Panasonic and Technics.
Since its founding in 1918, it has grown to become the largest Japanese electronics producer. In addition to electronics, Panasonic offers non-electronic products and services such as home renovation services. Panasonic was ranked the 89th-largest company in the world in 2009 by the Forbes Global 2000 and is among the Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders.[2]
Name
For 90 years since establishment, the name of the company was always topped with "松下" ("Matsushita"). The company's name before 1 October 2008 had been "Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.", used since 1935.[3][4]
In 1927, the company founder adopted a brand name "National" (ナショナル, National) for a new lamp product, knowing "national" meant "of or relating to a people, a nation."[5] In 1955, the company labeled its export audio speakers and lamps "PanaSonic", which was the first time it used its "Panasonic" brand name.[6] The company began to use a brand name "Technics" in 1965.[6] The use of multiple brands lasted for some decades.[6]
In May 2003, the company put "Panasonic" as its global brand, and set its global brand slogan, "Panasonic ideas for life."[7] 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[7].
On January 10, 2008, the company announced that it would change its name to "Panasonic Corporation" (effective on October 1, 2008) and phase out the brand "National" in Japan, replacing it with the global brand "Panasonic" (by March 2010)[8]. The name change was approved at a shareholders' meeting on June 26, 2008[9] after consultation with the Matsushita family.
History
Panasonic was founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita first selling duplex lamp sockets. In 1927, it produced a bicycle lamp, the first product it marketed under the brand name National. It operated factories in Japan and other parts of Asia through the end of World War II, producing 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 WWII. Sanyo grew to become a competitor to Panasonic.
National/Panasonic bicycles
The production of high-quality road and touring bicycles and bicycle components composed a little-known but substantial portion of the appliance division of the National/Panasonic corporation from 1945 through the end of the 1980s. As a child, Konosuke Matsushita, founder of National/Panasonic, had been adopted into a family who owned a small bicycle shop, and was passionate about bicycles and cycling.[10]
National and Panasonic bicycles were sold both in Japan and overseas to various retailers, who sometimes rebadged the bikes with private labels. Despite competition from other Japanese manufacturers, Matsushita enacted a corporate policy forbidding low quality in Panasonic bicycles no matter what the profit margins. When Schwinn was forced by economics to outsource bicycles built overseas, they chose the Panasonic World series, a successful model in production from 1972. As the only vendor to meet Schwinn's rigid manufacturing and production standards, Panasonic built several models for Schwinn, such as the World Traveller and the World Voyager. During the 1970s and 1980s, Panasonic produced a full range of lugged steel frame bicycles, produced in modern factories complete with robotic welding/brazing and advanced paint application equipment. Panasonic's bicycle tires had higher thread counts and thicker treads than their competition, and established a reputation for uniformity and high quality.[11]
From 1985 on, steady increases in the value of the Japanese yen and lower cost competition from Taiwan made Panasonic bicycles less competitive in the U.S. and other markets. Panasonic began to sell rebadged bikes made in Taiwan under their name. By 1989, Panasonic division managers were reporting that bicycles brought less revenue (and less profit) per square foot of warehouse than any other product in the corporate division. Following the death of Konosuke Matsushita, Panasonic abandoned the US bicycle market at the end of September, 1989.[11]
Electronics
In 1961, Konosuke Matsushita traveled to the United States and met with American dealers. Panasonic 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.[12]
The company used the National trademark outside of North America during the 1950s through the 1970s. (The trademark could not be used probably due to discriminatory application of trademark laws where brands like General Motors were registrable.) It sold televisions, 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. National/Panasonic quickly developed a reputation for well-made, reliable products.
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 product still made today is 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.
Since 2004, Toyota has used Panasonic batteries for its Toyota Prius, an environmentally friendly car made in Japan.[13]
On January 19, 2006 Panasonic announced that, starting in February, it will stop producing analog televisions (then 30% of its total TV business) to concentrate on digital TVs.[14]
On November 3, 2008 Panasonic and Sanyo were in talks, resulting in the eventual acquisition of Sanyo. The merger was completed in December 2009, and resulted in a mega-corporation with revenues over ¥11.2 trillion (around $110 billion). As part of what will be Japan's biggest electronics company, the Sanyo brand and most of the employees will be retained as a subsidiary.[15][16]
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.
In recent years the company has been involved with the development of high-density optical disc standards intended to eventually replace the DVD and the SD memory card.
On July 29, 2010 Panasonic reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares of Panasonic Electric Works and Sanyo shares for $9.4 billion.[17][18][19]
Panasonic and Universal
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.
Brands and divisions
Brand names
Panasonic produces electronic products under a variety of names, including:
- Panasonic (home appliances, personal electronics, audio/video equipment, microchips, automotive components)
- Technics (music equipment like headphones and turntables, overlaps with Panasonic branded products in some audio categories)
- Sanyo became a subsidiary of Panasonic on December 21, 2009.
Automobile audio
Panasonic sells radio (audio) products for automobiles and light trucks in the US market under the Panasonic brand (aftermarket) and as OEM equipment in Japanese automobile brands such as Toyota, Honda and Subaru. Non-Japanese automakers such as GM and Volkswagen have also used OEM stereos made by Panasonic.
Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America is the name of the company's USA division, currently headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.[20] 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
Shop@Panasonic is a chain of stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland which sells only Panasonic electronics. The store is based on the same structure as Sony Centre. The stores are usually located in shopping centres such as Centrale, and brand itself the official Panasonic retailer.
Since 2008 shop@Panasonic stores officially rebranded to "Panasonic Store".
Panasonic Corporation in Serbia
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 will commence in January 2011.[21]
Panasonic Mobile Communications
Panasonic Mobile Communications manufactures mobile handsets and related equipment for the Japanese market. It has the second largest market share for mobile phones in Japan after Sharp. It used to market its GSM phones worldwide, but in December 2005 the company announced its withdrawal from overseas markets. In summer 2008 rumors emerged that the company was considering to re-enter the Asian market with its VS84 handset.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation[22] (PAC), a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems. 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 2,800 employees based in over 70 locations worldwide, with major facilities in London, Toulouse, Hamburg, Dallas, Dubai and Singapore. A majority of the component manufacturing is carried out in Osaka, Japan.
The company provides airline passengers with a wide array of interactive applications at their seats, combining entertainment (digital music and movies on demand, games, interactive moving maps, satellite TV, and online shopping) with business tools (E-mail, live flight schedules, and in-flight internet access). PAC is also one of the chief suppliers to both Boeing and Airbus and their IFE systems will be featured on both the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 aircraft. Among the many worldwide customers that use PAC systems are award-winning airlines such as Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Partners
In early 2008, Panasonic partnered with Shopatron to handle its online order fulfillment, incorporating retailers into the online sale.[23]
Sponsorship
Panasonic were a primary sponsor of Toyota's Formula One program, Panasonic Toyota Racing. Hiro Matsushita, grandson of the company founder, is a former race car driver who run a company overseeing sponsorship arrangements for the company.
Panasonic is an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer.
Panasonic also owns Gamba Osaka, a team from the J. League, the main Japanese soccer league.
Panasonic sponsored Sterling Marlin in the Nextel Cup Series. Panasonic was to sponsor the 14 in 24 races but the team shut down in July
Panasonic is the primary sponsor of the 2007 World Solar Challenge.[24]
Panasonic has been a "top" sponsor of the Olympic Games since Seoul in 1988
Panasonic is the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner for 2008 Summer Olympics.
They were originally the official partner and sponsor of the Boston Celtics from 1975 to 1989, along with Technics. Various Panasonic ads appear at the old Boston Garden during the 1980s.
Panasonic on January 16, 2010, signed a 3 year, Rs. 4.7 crores ($1 million USD) jersey sposnorship deal for the India national football team.
Environmental record
Panasonic is ranked on 6th place out of 18 in Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics (company shares 6th place with its competitors Motorola and Sony). The company mainly gains its points for the voluntary take-back of its products, in particular for launching the first programme for the take-back of TVs in a non-OECD country. Despite this, it is still weakest on the criteria relating to e-waste and recycling and scores best on the chemicals and energy criteria. [25]
The company is aiming to discontinue use of PVC in internal wiring of new products globally by March 2011.
[26]
It is also planning to eliminate the use of PVC in notebooks by the end of 2011 globally. All new models of mobile phones and computers should be free of BFRs by 2011, but there is no commitment to eliminate BFRs and PVC from Panasonic’s whole product portfolio. [27]
Panasonic gets full marks in the Greenpeace’s ranking for reporting that 100% of new models of TVs meet the latest ES requirement, and most models (nearly 84%) exceed the standby mode requirement by 70% or more. [28]
Panasonic in popular culture
In the popular Japanese Asahi Broadcasting Corporation program Panel Quiz Attack 25, the panel used in the stage setup was developed by Panasonic. During the early days of the show, Panasonic's technical staff was stationed at the recording studio, in case of any unexpected occurrences.
Panasonic is also known for featuring Japanese pop superstar Ayumi Hamasaki in their TV commercials.
Pan Sonic, the Finnish experimental electronic music duo was originally called Panasonic, but the name was changed after the corporation threatened with legal action.
See also
- List of Panasonic Corporation products
- Panasonic CD interface
- List of Japanese companies
- Gamba Osaka
- Technics
- Hirofumi Hirano
- Hiro Matsushita
- Toughbook
- Viera Cast
- Toyota Racing
- Lumix
- JVC
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f "Panasonic Corp (6752.T) Financial Statements". Retrieved 2010-05-23.
- ^ 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.Template:Ja icon.
- ^ Matsushita Electric Becomes Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation. 2008-10-01. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
- ^ Panasonic History: 1927 | Square bicycle lamp developed and marketed, Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-10-02.
- ^ a b c Brand History, Panasonic Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-10-02.
- ^ 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 on 2008-10-02. Template:Ja icon
- ^ Matsushita Electric to Change Name to Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation. 2008-01-10. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
- ^ Shareholders of Matsushita approve company name change to Panasonic, International Herald Tribune, 2008-06-26. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
- ^ Panasonic Bicycles at Yellow Jersey (2007), Article
- ^ a b Panasonic Bicycles at Yellow Jersey (2007)
- ^ Panasonic expands use of Panasonic brand name globally[dead link] in April, 2003
- ^ "PRIUS+ Fact Sheet: version 1.3". CalCars. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- ^ Perton, Marc (2006-01-19). "Panasonic exiting analog TV business - Engadget". Engadget. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ Takahiko Hyuga (2008-11-03). "Panasonic Agrees to Buy Controlling Stake in Sanyo, Nikkei Says". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2003-07-01.
- ^ Takenaka, Kiyoshi (2009-06-19). "Panasonic mulls Sanyo offer in July or August - Kyodo | Industries | Consumer Goods & Retail". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ Announcement of Agreements toward Panasonic’s Acquisition of All Shares of Panasonic Electric Works and SANYO
- ^ Panasonic buying Sanyo and other unit for $9.4 billion
- ^ Consolidation Continues: Panasonic To Buy Sanyo
- ^ Panasonic overview
- ^ [1]
- ^ Panasonic Avionics.
- ^ Panasonic announces partnership with Shopatron
- ^ World Solar Challenge Homepage
- ^ "Guide to Greener Electronics - Greenpeace International". Greenpeace International. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ^ "Management of Chemical Substances in Products:Overview". Panasonic Global. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- ^ "Ranking tables October 2010 - Panasonic" (PDF). Greenpeace International. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- ^ "Ranking tables October 2010 - Panasonic" (PDF). Greenpeace International. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
Further reading
- Matsushita Leadership by John Paul Kotter, Simon and Schuster (1998)
External links
- Articles with trivia sections from September 2009
- TOPIX 100
- Companies established in 1918
- Electronics companies
- Semiconductor companies
- Display technology companies
- Mobile phone manufacturers
- Home appliance manufacturers
- Panasonic Corporation
- Electronics companies of Japan
- Companies based in Osaka Prefecture
- Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange
- Portable audio player manufacturers
- Cycle manufacturers
- Power tool manufacturers
- HVAC manufacturing companies
- Multinational companies
- Companies based in Hudson County, New Jersey
- Photography companies of Japan