Panasonic in New Zealand
Panasonic New Zealand is part of Panasonic Corporation, one of
the largest electronic product manufacturers in the world. The
Panasonic Corporation, known as the Matsushita Group until October
2008, traces its origins back to 1918 when Japanese industrialist
Konosuke Matsushita started a small business manufacturing home
electrical products in Osaka, Japan.
Matsushita first entered the New Zealand market in 1962,
supplying refrigerator parts to Fisher & Paykel. In 1971 a
sales agreement between Matsushita and Fisher & Paykel saw the
introduction of National and Panasonic electronic products to the
New Zealand market. In 1987 all National brand products were
rebranded Panasonic.
The Panasonic Corporation
The story of Panasonic Corporation began in Osaka, Japan in
1918, when Konosuke Matsushita invented a two-socket light bulb. He
started producing and selling the light bulb from his own house,
with just 3 employees. The invention of a new type of bicycle lamp
came in 1923, followed by the development of the first radio just 8
years later. In 1935 they launched their first television, an area
of production that has since proved immensely successful. 1935 also
marked a turning point in the size, production and sheer growth of
Panasonic Corporation.
This particular year saw the company manufacturing 600 different
kinds of product with sales extending to overseas markets for the
first time. Their employee base rose to 3500. By 1942, Matsushita
became the first radio manufacturer in Japan. As the sixties
approached, the total number of employees had risen to 28000. The
company reported profits of 1.5 billion yen.
As Panasonic Corporation grew, Konosuke Matsushita never lost
sight of his founding principles - putting the needs of his
customers and employees first. He developed his original business
Philosophy in 1929, a mission statement that still holds true
today.
Corporate Mission
As a humble bicycle apprentice, Konosuke Matsushita lacked
formal education, wealth and connections. However, a life-long
thirst for learning fuelled his passion for business, leading him
to pioneer management practices and advance his philosophy that the
mission of a manufacturer is to make products that enhance the
quality of one's life - and benefit society.
Recognising our responsibilities as
industrialists, we will devote ourselves to the progress and
development of society and the well-being of people through our
business activities, thereby enhancing the quality of life
throughout the worldKonosuke Matsushita
(Founder).
Today, and into the future, Panasonic and Matsushita continue to
pursue a commitment to environmental responsibility. To find out
more about the Panasonic Corporation: http://www.panasonic.net/about/
