Panasonic in new search for double-digit growth in 2011

By MARK KAPCHANGA and AGENCIES

Panasonic has come with ambitious plans that seeks to expand its sales by over 300 per cent this year.

The firm achieved consolidated sales of 110 per cent in 2011 compared to the previous year, and the Japanese manufacturer now targets a double-digit growth this year.

Panasonic has also laid out its strategy for the year, and unveiled its product portfolio for 2011 at its convention for Middle East and Africa.

The company witnessed robust growth in its product categories in 2010, and this year it aims to increase sale of 3D TVs and VIERA LED TVs by 300 per cent across the region.

ECO-INNOVATION

Panasonic also aims to become the leading "Green Innovation Company" in the electronics industry in Middle East as part of Panasonic’s group-wide global commitment to drive eco- innovation in the world by 2018, the 100th anniversary of its foundation.

"The Middle East continues to be a key market for Panasonic. We will continue to invest in the region, bringing in new technology and products. 2011 will also see Panasonic concentrate on Africa, with the company looking to establish regional offices in Kenya and Angola by the end of the year," said Mr Seiji Koyanagi, Managing Director of Panasonic Marketing in Middle East.

He said the firm is on track to be the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry. "We pledge to double the sales of our industry-leading environmental-friendly superior green products in the region," he said.

CNATURAL GRADATION

This year, the new intelligent Viera line up, called Viera Black, will feature infinite black pro and interactive Internet connection which call Viera connect.

These new models will be equipped with features like 600Hz Sub-field Drive, Infinite Black Pro (over 5,000,000:1 native contrast).

Infinite Black Pro technology enables high contrast that significantly improves the https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images in brightly lit locations. Enhancement to the panel and cells help reproduce https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images with smooth natural gradation and deep rich black.

In movies, the true deep blacks faithfully conveys the intent of the filmmaker, adding power and realism to the viewing experience and this is one of most important factor to realise more realistic in 3D image.

Viera Connect is a new and enhanced cloud-based Internet service which allows users to enjoy sports, interactive games, and a variety of other contents in addition to the standard movies and television programs on Panasonic Viera large-screen televisions through the simple operation of a remote control.

The firm also introduced new range of Lumix cameras. The new range features dedicated camera’s for business users and consumers who pursue an active and outdoor lifestyle.

There is also a dedicated range for the beauty conscious consumer. The Lumix camera with beauty retouch mode gives user’s ability to touchup a virtual faces for instance; users can change the hue of the skin or whiten your teeth and even choose the color of the foundation, lips, cheeks and eye shadow.

ADVANCED SYSTEM

Outdoor and sports enthusiast will appreciate the altimeter, barometer and GPS functionality. This is the only camera that will have a million pre registered global landmarks. The camera will also automatically archive pictures based on location, date and time.

The Japanese manufacturer will also introduce to the region, advanced system and business solutions targeting offices, home and commercial enterprises. A new range of eco-friendly ACs and CFC lamps are also being introduced in keeping with the company’s eco declaration to introduce green products in the region.

NEW PRODUCT

The interesting line-up showcased with large portfolio of products this year will further consolidate Panasonic’s strength in the region as a major Japanese electronics player.

Only recently, the firm launched a state-of-the-art laser printer. The new product, according to the company, offers speedy document solutions with integrated print, scan, and copy functionality

Panasonic’s new all-in-one multi-function laser printers, a document solutions for homes and small business across the region.

The printer is the ideal multi-functions such as printing, scanning and copying to complement home offices. This model is the latest additions to Panasonic’s range of document solutions, aimed squarely at the home office and small office market.

The newly launched KX-MB1900CX, is a superior cost-competitive alternative to generic inkjet printers.

This multifunction is tailored to deliver quality and productivity standards as required by home users, with a high-speed 24ppm laser print and copy rate, boasting a print resolution of up to 600 x 600 dpi.

The unit also features an A4 Compact Flatbed which allows scanning and copying of books, magazines, newspapers or even smaller objects such as receipts and driver’s licenses.

TRIAL PRINTS

Additional print features in the bundled software include the new easy print utility which allows the merging of multiple file types such as word documents, excel sheets, power-point slides and PDF documents into one single print job. Users can check the final image on a PC before printing, or edit the layout by changing the pages into a two-in-one, or all the way up to a 16-in-one format.

Custom headers, footers or watermarks can be easily added to documents before printing. These combined functions greatly reduce the number of trial prints and misprints.

Panasonic corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs.

Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of $79.4 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2010.