Canon 2010 Annual Report Download - page 61
Download and view the complete annual report
Please find page 61 of the 2010 Canon annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.CANON ANNUAL REPORT 2010 59
LOOKING FORWARD
As for the global economy, in the U.S., despite the risk of a
slowdown due to the ongoing credit crisis and high unemploy-
ment, we expect the trend toward gradual recovery to contin-
ue. In Europe, while concerns remain regarding fi nancial
instability, we believe the economy will make steady progress
toward recovery. In Asia, the overall trend toward economic
recovery is expected to continue, fueled by such factors as
continued strong economic expansion in such countries as
China and India. As for Japan, while the economy will likely con-
tinue to realize a gradual economic rebound against the back-
drop of a global economic recovery, we expect the current
trend of economic defl ation to continue due to weak domestic
consumption.
Amid this climate, Canon has launched its latest fi ve-year
plan: Phase IV of the Global Excellent Corporation Plan (2011-
2015). Our ultimate aim is to realize our goal of joining the ranks
of the world’s top 100 companies in terms of all major manage-
ment indicators.
In order to achieve our targets, we aim to expand our scale
and business operations, further strengthening our imaging-
related businesses and working to expand business domains
by cultivating such areas as medical and industrial equipment.
At the same time, we will make efforts to transform our manu-
facturing operations in keeping with the changing times
through the reinforcement of such basic functions as research
and development, production, and sales and marketing.
Specifi cally, we will strive to change to a situation where prod-
ucts developed in each region are sold globally, accelerating
transition to a three regional headquarters management sys-
tem, which includes R&D centers in Japan, the U.S. and Europe,
as we solicit the world’s great minds and innovative power.
Targeting this kind of change and transformation, we will also
make active use of M&As. For this, we set up a special organi-
zation in charge of further promoting M&As, effective January
1, 2011.
At the same time, we will work to solidify our foundation as a
leading environmental company that aims for both growth and
environmental conservation, by further raising the environmen-
tal performance of our products and reducing the impact of all
corporate activities on the environment.
Offi ce Business Unit
In 2010, Canon’s copying machine and MFD businesses
rebounded substantially from the economic downturn, which
had affected the entire industry in 2009. Emerging markets,
such as in Asia, were particularly notable for their growth.
The importance of providing added value in the form of net-
working, integration, color printing, multifunction and solutions
has grown in the offi ce imaging products business. Canon
seeks to maintain its leading position in both the printing and in
the offi ce products markets.
Canon has matched its business strategy to market trends by
strengthening its lineup of digital color network MFDs and print-
on-demand machines. In 2010, Canon further expanded the
imageRUNNER ADVANCE series with the introduction of a
monochrome lineup and a low-end color device. We also
launched the imagePRESS C7010VP series, designed to meet
the needs of print professionals in commercial print shops with
advanced function. To maintain and enhance its competitive
edge and to meet increasingly sophisticated customer
demands, Canon will continue reinforcing its hardware and
software product lineups and solutions capability.
Canon’s laser printer business has a strong market position.
The market declined rapidly in the wake of the global economic
downturn but slowly recovered in 2010.
In the monochrome laser printer market, sales to the micro-
offi ce/ home offi ce segment expanded.
The color laser printer market is expected to grow over the
long term, although demand slowed recently due to the eco-
nomic downturn. Competition has intensifi ed as competitors
have pursued aggressive pricing strategies to establish market
share.
Canon is promoting technological development in order to
provide competitive products in all segments with a focus on
bringing new and improved offerings to market in a well-timed
manner.
The large format printer market shrank in 2009. However, the
trend was toward recovery in 2010. Total business growth in
2010 increased slightly, with particularly strong growth in Asia.
In 2010, we launched three new 12-color printer models
(iPF6300/6350/8300), designed to meet the needs of the graph-
ic art market (exceptional color reproduction, high print quality,
and furthermore, high usability).
We also released two new CAD models (iPF815/825), for a
market that demands high productivity. These models have
achieved a strong reputation, resulting in double-digit unit sales
growth in 2010 as compared to 2009. Market share of our CAD
models also increased steadily during 2010.