Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Corporation of North America Panasonic Corporation of North America, 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 more than 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. Ideas For Life Approach 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, especially related to preserving the environment - and rewards students with scholarships. Environmental Commitment Panasonic Corporation of North America is a strong proponent of the responsible recycling of electronics. Panasonic, together with Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products established Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM), an EPA-award winning joint venture which manages collection and recycling operations. Working with MRM, Panasonic now has nearly 400 locations at which end-of-life products can be dropped off for recycling. MRM’s mission is to provide convenient recycling opportunities to consumers. Its long-term goal is sustainable electronic product recycling. On a global basis Panasonic is committed to securing a healthy future for both the planet and its people. The company’s founder, Konosuke Matsushita said Panasonic is about more than technologies, as our commitment to "people before products" demonstrates. Panasonic’s business vision is to "contribute to a ubiquitous networking society that co-exists within the global environment." And being 'green' has been part of our mission for a long time. The company is pursuing advanced environmental strategies based upon three eco ideals, or 'eco ideas' outlined in a declaration issued in October 2007. Panasonic has pledged to reduce its 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, 2009, 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