Konica Minolta 2014 Annual Report Download - page 39

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38
KONICA MINOLTA, INC. Annual Report 2014
Management Bases
Research and Development
Research and Development
In line with the three basic policies listed below, Konica Minolta is
promoting the rapid, timely incubation of new technologies as well as
the creation of new business domains that will lead to genre-top posi-
tions to complement the Company’s existing business domains based
in its current core technologies.
1. Accelerate innovation to drive continued growth
2. Build in differentiating technology to create customer value
3. Nurture a distinct Konica Minolta style, aiming for first-class techni-
cal personnel and organizational development capabilities
R&D expenses in fiscal 2013 totaled ¥71.1 billion. Despite a slight
year-on-year decrease of ¥0.3 billion, or 0.5%, fiscal 2013 marked the
fourth consecutive year that the Company invested over ¥70 billion in
R&D. The ratio of R&D expenses to net sales came to 7.5%. This
investment was centered on our core, the Business Technologies
Business, which accounted for over 50% of R&D costs. In other areas,
we increased R&D investment in growth areas, such as OLED lighting
and functional film in the Industrial Business, as well as the
Healthcare Business, including in diagnostic ultrasound systems.
Compared to the previous fiscal year, R&D investment in OLED light-
ing and functional film rose 5%, and that in the Healthcare Business
jumped 40%.
The Group is always on the lookout for new ideas around the world,
making use of open innovation and overseas sites, strategically
acquiring future-oriented technologies, and perfecting core technolo-
gies to continually produce business.
Under the Medium Term Business Plan TRANSFORM 2016 we have
laid out the key theme of creating an advanced and efficient incuba-
tion process unique to Konica Minolta. From a perspective of provid-
ing value to customers, we are working to accelerate the discovery-
driven฀hypothesis/testing฀cycle,฀realize฀concurrent฀development฀of฀
technology and business, and strengthen the brand value of our tech-
nology by demonstrating our contribution to society, our advanced
technology, and the passion of our engineers.
Basic Policy and Approach for R&D
R&D Expenses
Business
Technologies
Business
54%
Common Technology
Platforms and Leading-
Edge Technologies
20%
R&D Expenses:
¥71.1 billion
Industrial
Business
20%
Healthcare
Business
6%