Nikon 2015 Annual Report Download - page 13

11
NIKON REPORT 2015
Business Strategy
Summary for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015
• Due to year-on-year increases in revenue and
prot, business successfully moved into the
black
• Reviewed entry into a contract manufactur-
ing business covering cells used in regenera-
tive medicine
Market Environment
The biological microscope market in Japan was
sluggish due to a reduction in public spending
and delays in execution, but markets were
robust in the Americas and China.
In the new eld of regenerative medicine,
following a Revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act
that came into effect in November 2014, Japan
is focusing on the early commercialization of
regenerative medicine as a seedbed for develop-
ment that holds promise.
Initiatives and Achievements
Although inuenced by the market downturn in
Japan, efforts were made to strengthen relation-
ships with customers, and market share steadily
rose. Implemented over the course of several
years, policies to improve productivity bore fruit
in the form of increased revenue and prot.
Thanks to operations in China, where market
share expanded, and in the Americas, where
sales were favorable in the cellular research-
related eld, overall sales of inverted research
microscopes were particularly strong.
With a view to launching a stem cell busi-
ness, the decision was made to enter the con-
tract manufacturing business to produce cells in
May 2015.
Summary for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015
• Due to year-on-year increases in revenue and
prot, business successfully moved into the
black
• Capital investment related to electronic com-
ponents, semiconductors, and automobiles
recovered, signicantly raising sales
Market Environment
Capital investment related to electronic compo-
nents, semiconductors, and automobiles recov-
ered, and expectations have become particularly
high for non-contact metrology that is capable of
smoothly measuring automobiles, aircraft, and
other structures on assembly lines. In addition,
technologies that enable both exteriors and inter-
nal structures to be measured or inspected by
generating 3D X-ray / CT images are expected to
be a growing market in the years to come.
Initiatives and Achievements
In addition to higher sales of such products as
the NEXIV Series CNC video measuring system
and the non-contact 3D metrology system, fol-
lowing a recovery in customers’ capital invest-
ment, efforts were made to further improve
productivity, and protability increased.
We are currently focusing efforts on non-
contact 3D metrology systems. These systems
represent a completely new concept by measuring
3D images using a non-contact, non- destructive
method. Designed to supersede previous systems
for measurement that required multiple units,
the non-contact 3D metrology systems enable
measurement with a single unit. The systems
demonstrate signicant advantages as a unique
Nikon technology.
Placing emphasis on cultivating the diagnostic
business, we are promoting a variety of initia-
tives toward its early commercialization.
With regard to M&A, we acquired U.K.-
based Optos Plc, a leading company in the retina
diagnostic imaging equipment market. (The
acquisition was completed and Optos became a
wholly owned subsidiary in May 2015.)
In the biomicroarray business, we are advanc-
ing technological development with a view to com-
mercialization in the United States. With regard
to the point-of-care testing (POCT) business, we
are engaged in product development through a
business alliance agreement with LSI Medience
Corporation.
Microscope Solutions Business Industrial Metrology Business Medical Business
Initiatives and Achievements
in the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015