SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America, a market and technology leader in consumer and industrial electronics, celebrated its 50th anniversary in the US today. The milestone was marked with a series of employee events at its national headquarters in New Jersey, and in its sales offices, R&D labs, factories, service and call centers, warehouses and other business locations around the country.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090917/NY77871)
Panasonic's five decades in the US span the introduction of its first transistor radio, to the world's largest plasma HDTV today. In the past decade alone Panasonic led the introduction of HDTV, was first to market with solid-state professional video recording, co-developed the Blu-ray Disc high definition format, launched its critically acclaimed VIERA flat panel HDTV, and LUMIX digital camera and HD camcorder lines, developed a lightweight Toughbook tablet PC for hospitals, created best-in-class home theater entertainment systems, and more. And earlier this month Panasonic launched a nationwide truck tour that will demonstrate Full HD 3D video for the home -- with Panasonic's 3D consumer products coming in 2010.
The company was honored today with an Official Proclamation from Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey and special company events included the raising of a commemorative flag over each Panasonic facility, the planting of a tree, and a focus on community service activities and the company's long-standing commitment to protecting the environment. Panasonic's first US employee, Ray Gates, who later became president of Panasonic Company, and Panasonic Corporation of North America's first US president, Richard Kraft, addressed employees at ceremonies in Secaucus today.
Panasonic Corporation of North America was founded in 1959 in New York City and in 1976 moved to Secaucus, NJ -- where the company's corporate headquarters campus is now located. Today, Panasonic has more than 5,000 employees in the US, with primary facilities in Secaucus, NJ; Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows, IL; Lake Forest, Los Angeles, Universal City, San Diego, San Jose, and Torrance, CA; and Columbus, GA . Panasonic also employs approximately 6,500 in Canada and Mexico.
"The occasion of our 50th anniversary in the US is a time to look both ahead to a promising future, but also a time to reflect on our past and how we reached this milestone," said Yoshi Yamada, CEO and Chairman, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Our employees are very proud of the innovation and technological leadership they have achieved in Panasonic's first 50 years in the United States; and the best is yet to come."
A central theme surrounding Panasonic's celebration of their 50th anniversary is focused on seven business principles that Panasonic's founder Konosuke Matsushita established which call for the company's focus on contribution to society -- fairness and honesty; cooperation and team spirit; untiring effort for improvement; courtesy and humility; adaptability; and gratitude.
Primary among the anniversary activities are two consumer electronics recycling collection events at Panasonic's Secaucus campus. The first will be for Panasonic employees on Friday, September 18. The second event will serve the surrounding communities on Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Consumers* are invited to bring their unwanted or obsolete electronics to 50 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus, where they will be collected for responsible recycling through Panasonic's Nationwide Recycling program (http://www.panasonic.com/environmental).
Throughout the past 50 years, Panasonic has been an active member of its community through a wide range of programs, including the Panasonic Foundation, a corporate foundation established in 1984 by an endowment from Panasonic as a gesture of thanks to the United States and as a way of contributing to American society. The Foundation's goal is to improve public education in the United States and today the Panasonic Foundation is recognized as a leader in education reform.
In addition, Panasonic and its employees regularly participate in programs such as river and beach clean-ups; electronics recycling events; food drives; blood drives; as well as fundraisers for the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and more. Additionally, Panasonic employees are encouraged to take active roles in their own communities and are acknowledged for their personal charitable causes and individual volunteering.
About Panasonic
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation , and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Detailed information about Panasonic's environmental stewardship may be found in its Panasonic Report for Sustainability 2008 http://www.panasonic.net/csr/reports and Environmental Data Book 2008 http://www.panasonic.net/eco/rpt/. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at http://www.panasonic.com/. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/.
* The recycling event is intended for consumers only. Electronics products from businesses will not be accepted.
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Panasonic
CONTACT: Chris De Maria, Panasonic, +1-201-348-7182,
demariac@us.panasonic.com; or Jamie Hodin, Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9796,
jamie.hodin@cohnwolfe.com
Web Site: http://www.panasonic.com/
