Konica Minolta 2008 Annual Report Download - page 16

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13
The genre-top strategy has enabled us to lead our competitors by helping us to refine proprietary technologies, bring out outstanding
competitive offerings, and expand the installed base of color and high-speed MFPs.
The genre-top strategy drives progress in the Optics business. We have drawn on our advanced thin-film technologies to commer-
cialize second- and third-generation triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film for vertical allignment (VA) mode LCDs and boost our market share in
TAC films. We dominate the market for next-generation DVD pickup lenses. Our market share is surging in glass hard disk substrates
using perpendicular magnetic recording system.
These examples underscore our determination to target and dominate growth markets by continuing to outpace our competitors in
commercializing outstanding products and services. The genre-top strategy offers tremendous value and potential. I believe that the
consistent accumulation of solid genre-top positions in various markets will transform our positioning in the industry.
Other key Group management priorities in the drive to raise our market and customer presences are growth, change and speed.
Focusing on these keywords, we will further promote Group management and raise our presence in the marketplace and with
customers. We are confident that we can create new corporate value by building a unique position.
Dividend Policy
We recognize enhancing shareholder value as an important management issue. Raising our dividend steadily in line with increases in
corporate performance, we raised dividends for the fiscal year ended March 2008 by ¥5 per share compared to the previous fiscal year,
to ¥15 per share. We target a payout ratio of at least 25% over the medium to long term. We set dividends from retained earnings
from the basic standpoint of maintaining a steady payout to shareholders, taking into overall consideration of consolidated operating
performance and strategic investment in growth fields. Going forward, we aim to maximize Group growth and corporate value.
Emphasizing Environmental Management
We cannot expand without considering the environment, which is an important global issue. Management’s commitment to creating
new value goes well beyond product innovation. We believe that our mission as a manufacturer is to create offerings that excel in terms
of environmental performance.
Working together as a group, we proactively pursue product development and manufacturing that conserve energy and resource use,
as well as promote green procurement. Furthermore, through groupwide efforts, we aim to reduce emissions, promote the reuse of
resources and lower the generation of hazardous substances. In these endeavors, we aim to be in the top class of our industry.
Looking Ahead
Management will complete FORWARD 08 in the fiscal year ending March 2009, ensuring that it achieves all action plans speedily to
fuel concentrated groupwide efforts to maintain and accelerate sustainable growth. I look forward to your ongoing understanding and
support as we move ahead.
June 2008
Yoshikatsu Ota
President and CEO