Omron 2003 Annual Report Download - page 14

➤ Business Overview
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, net sales of the Industrial Automation Company (IAB) increased 10.0 percent
from the previous fiscal year to ¥202.5 billion. While overall investment in all types of machinery and equipment was weak,
sales expanded in greater China and Southeast Asia. By industry, sales to semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD)
manufacturers rebounded moderately, and sales to the automobile and food industries were firm. By application, sales
expanded in the areas of equipment safety and advanced automation of inspection.
In the domestic market, IAB reinforced strategic activities targeting specific industries and provided solutions to promote
the use of information technology (IT) among manufacturers. As a result, sales of safety-related components and sensors, FA
auto identification components, displacement sensors, vision sensors, motion control components and other products
increased substantially.
Overseas, sales in North America increased strongly, led by sales of sensing equipment. Sales in Europe were flat due to
the effect of restrained investment in the electronics and electrical equipment industries. Sales in Southeast Asia and in
greater China increased substantially as IAB strengthened direct marketing and sales channels, and increased its emphasis
on social infrastructure projects and implemented other initiatives.
➤➤ Strategies and Outlook
IAB will concentrate on maximizing customer satisfaction and adding value for component packages composed of
controllers, sensors and control systems, as well as inspection systems and service, with a focus on industries and
applications including automobiles, semiconductors, LCDs and food.
At the same time, IAB will design product platforms and launch modular products, while boosting its cost
competitiveness and profitability by continuously reducing manufacturing costs. Efforts to expand sales will focus on
measures such as strengthening global marketing tie-ups and improving regional sales channels through relationships with
sales agents and distributors. In particular, IAB aims to substantially increase profitability by raising the volume and quality of
sales activities in greater China and introducing the most suitable products for given areas. Moreover, IAB will work to
continuously increase productivity by investing in and generating returns from IT, particularly customer relationship
management (CRM).
PCB Inspection System
VT-WIN II
Omron’s top PCB solder inspection
system, the VT-WIN II is equipped
with a high-resolution camera, and
features twice the inspection speed
of existing equipment. It is also
compatible with lead-free solder,
which manufacturers are
increasingly adopting as an
environmental measure.
Digital Controller E5 R
The speed and precision of the
E5 R are among the highest in the
industry. It uses a function-based
modular structure, which speeds
delivery lead time.
Programmable Logic
Controller CJ1M
This is the industry’s smallest
programmable logic controller, and
is ideal for use in machinery such
as equipment that assembles
electronic components, food
processing equipment and
packaging equipment.
FPD Seal Profile Sensor
Z5FP
This sensor measures the profile of
seals used to bond flat panel
displays (FPD) with both high speed
and high precision to effectively
improve manufacturing process
yields and quality.
Industrial Automation Company
12 • Omron Corporation