Konica Minolta 2008 Annual Report Download - page 18

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15
expanding sales in this field. Responding to such
rising demand, we augmented production capacity
by building a plant in Malaysia in February 2008. We
consolidated optical technology development at our
Osakasayama site in Osaka in April 2008 to promote
effective development systems.
In the Medical and Graphic Imaging business, we
are cultivating compact and easy-to-operate computed
radiography and peripheral systems and solutions that
promote digitally based medical care at clinics.
Future FORWARD 08 Endeavors
Our next essential growth step will be derived from
our Business Technologies and Optics business base
and technological foundations, so that we can expand
into peripheral fields.
Specific efforts in Business Technologies business
will be to offer advanced services beyond equipment
sales solutions. In Optics business, we will optimize
production capacity in TAC films, glass hard disk
substrates, and next-generation optical pickup lenses
in a timely manner. We will strengthen our digital
X-ray image input/output systems in the Medical and
Graphic Imaging business.
In terms of initiatives in new fields of business, we
plan to enter the promising lighting business in 2010,
drawing on our organic electroluminescence (EL) tech-
nologies and a partnership with the General Electric
Company. We also foster new earnings sources, notably
by using atmospheric pressure glow plasma technolo-
gies to enhance our film coating capabilities and by
applying Super Inkjet technology to industrial products.
Strengthening Financials to Support
FORWARD 08 Growth Strategies
Free cash flow for the fiscal year ended March 2008
was ¥46.2 billion, up ¥35.9 billion compared to the
previous fiscal year, on the strength of record earnings.
We continued to lower interest-bearing debt, which
was ¥226.0 billion at year-end, down ¥3.3 billion
compared to the previous fiscal year. The equity ratio
was 43.0% at the close of the term.
Capital investment will remain essential to strength-
ening our development, manufacturing, and market-
ing capabilities, so that we can pursue sustainable
growth. We will further enhance our financial position
to help fund these efforts.