Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA), based in Secaucus, NJ, is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of its branding, marketing, sales, service, product development and R&D operations in the U.S. and Canada.
For nearly 50 years, Panasonic has delighted American consumers with innovations for the home and business. Panasonic's consumer electronics and technology products range from award-winning VIERA High Definition Plasma and LCD TVs and LUMIX Digital Cameras to ruggedized Toughbook® laptop computers, communications solutions, networkable office solutions, security systems, home appliances, personal care products, components and entire in-flight entertainment and information systems.
Panasonic operations in North America include R&D Centers, manufacturing bases, the highly rated Panasonic Customer Call Center in Chesapeake, VA, business-to-business and industrial solutions companies and consumer products, sales and service networks throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Panasonic Corporation of North America and its subsidiaries and affiliates employ about 12,000 people in the region.
Consumer-First Philosophy
Established in New York City in 1959, Panasonic Corporation of North America was known as Matsushita Electric Corporation of America until 2005 when its company name was changed to strengthen its connection to the brand and the consumer. Throughout its history, Panasonic has made understanding how its products can impact people's lives a core focus for product development and refinement. "Ideas For Life" is a reflection of that commitment and a guiding force for what can be expected from Panasonic in the future.
Corporate Social Responsibility Philosophy
Worldwide, Panasonic Corporation and its subsidiaries are guided by a basic business philosophy created by founder Konosuke Matsushita. He began the journey in 1918 by inventing a two-socket light fixture. Profound in its import yet elegantly simple, Konosuke Matsushita's breakthrough led to what is now one of the world's largest electronics companies. As he built Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., he never lost sight of the importance of putting the needs of his customers and the public first.
That philosophy holds that the mission of the enterprise is to contribute to the progress and development of society and the well-being of people worldwide. This thinking continues to guide management to this day.
In the U.S., Panasonic creates and supports initiatives that contribute to people in the communities where it does business. Such initiatives include the Panasonic Foundation, which partners with school districts that are committed to school reform; Panasonic Kid Witness News, a worldwide video education program for public school children in underserved communities; and Panasonic Design Challenge, a program for New Jersey high schools that encourages engineering achievement and rewards students with scholarships.
Environmental Commitment
Panasonic Corporation of North America is a strong proponent of the responsible recycling of electronics. Last year, Panasonic, together with with Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products established Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM), a joint venture which manages collection and recycling operations. MRM’s mission is to provide convenient recycling opportunities to consumers. Its long-term goal is sustainable electronic product recycling.
Panasonic Corporation
Panasonic Corporation, which until October 1, 2008 was known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., recorded worldwide consolidated net sales of Y9.07 trillion (about US$90.52 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
Sustainability
Committed to the global Eco Ideas Declaration it issued in 2007, Panasonic has pledged to reduce our global carbon footprint by 300,000 tons by 2010. Panasonic has also pledged to vastly increase the number of energy-efficient products it makes and to encourage the growth of environmental awareness and sustainability worldwide.
At the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland in January, 2008, Panasonic Corporation was named to the Global 100's list of the Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. The Global 100 focuses on companies that are committed to superior management of their environmental, labor, human rights and other policies.
Olympic Partnership
Panasonic Corporation has been a proud supporter of the Olympic Movement - which is aimed at promoting international understanding and peace through sports - for more than 20 years as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Video and Audio Equipment category. Panasonic recently renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee through 2016.
Under the slogan "Sharing the Passion", Panasonic used its technological expertise to take the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing to a new level of video technology excellence. All international video delivered from the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) to the rights-holding broadcasters around the world was produced and distributed in High-Definition, using Panasonic's DVCPRO professional video equipment and related technologies. The official video feed of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was recorded and broadcast entirely with Panasonic HD video systems --a first in the history of the Olympic Games-- providing fans worldwide a chance to experience the games like never before - in clear, crisp, High Definition.
Panasonic Corporation's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. For more information on the global company, Panasonic in the U.S. and Panasonic products, visit our website at http://panasonic.net/
