TOP Message
Launching Phase IV of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan
2011 marks the start of Phase IV of our Excellent Global Corporation Plan. In an age when the global economic map and industrial structures are being reconfigured due to dramatic growth in emerging countries, Canon is moving ahead, constantly transforming itself in response to the changing times.
During Phase III of our Excellent Global Corporation Plan, which spanned the five-year period through 2010, we revised our management policy as a result of the global recession, shifting from the growth path we had been on to a focus on improving management stability and quality. Nonetheless, we positioned 2010 as the first year in a new era of growth, and in addition to incorporating Océ N.V. of the Netherlands and OPTOPOL Technology S.A. of Poland into the Canon Group, we sought to further strengthen current main businesses and new businesses while also boosting productivity. As a result of these efforts, we were able to maintain our sound financial condition while realizing sales and profit growth, posting results befitting the final year of Phase III.
Our slogan for Phase IV of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan is "Aiming for the Summit: Speed & Sound Growth," which heralds our goal of taking our place among the world's top 100 companies in terms of major management indicators as we take on new challenges. While it goes without saying that we aim to achieve the overwhelming No. 1 position in all of our current core businesses, we are also broadening our business base by diversifying into peripheral and related fields. At the same time, we will develop the medical and industrial equipment domains into new business pillars.
We are also broadly transforming our R&D, production, and sales processes, which represent the basic functions of a manufacturer, to put us more in tune with the changing times. We continue to move forward with our Three Regional Headquarters management system, with innovation centers in Japan, the United States and Europe, which will enable us to carry out product development capitalizing on the R&D strengths of each region. Additionally, we are establishing a globally optimized production system, by which we take a comprehensive view of the world in selecting the optimal distribution of our production sites. We are also strengthening our global sales force, focusing on the emerging countries that are the centers of growth within the global economy and, establishing a foundation as an environmentally advanced corporation.
Consistently Fulfilling Our Social Responsibilities
Based upon our corporate philosophy of kyosei, Canon endeavors to be a truly excellent global company, respected and admired the world over. Canon continues to expand its fields of business activity and our efforts to fulfill our social responsibilities will steadily increase.
While we continue to strengthen our compliance and internal control structures, we are also enhancing our key strategies and targets for enhancing environmental consciousness and quality.
When it comes to the consideration for the environment, Canon seeks to promote both richer lifestyles and the environment based on Phase IV of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan and the company's Action for Green environmental vision, which was introduced in 2009. While we seek to offer products with improved functionality and ease of use, as an environmentally advanced corporation Canon is also focused on developing products with superior environmental performance over the entire product lifecycle, spanning production, use and recycling, and together with our customers and business partners we are steadily working to cut CO2 emissions, use resources effectively, and eliminate hazardous substances.
We are acutely aware that quality, which determines the foundation of a brand's trust, is the lifeblood of any manufacturer, which is why we seek to impart a commitment to "quality first" among employees.
Furthermore, in April 2011, we established the Corporate Social Responsibility Office at our corporate headquarters, providing a major push for the company's CSR activities, which had previously been handled at the divisional level. Pursuing these unique Canon initiatives, we will continue moving forward to further transform ourselves in response to the social demands.
Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake
The Great East Japan Earthquake, which struck on March 11, 2011, inflicted enormous damage in Japan, where Canon's operations are based. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this disaster and our thoughts go out to those suffering in its aftermath. We hope that the region will soon be able to recover from this tragedy.
To support relief efforts following the earthquake, Canon was among the first to make a financial donation and also supplied the Japanese Red Cross Society with portable digital radiography systems, which have proven effective in contributing to medical activities in disaster areas.
As for the Canon Group in Japan, not only did the disaster cause damage to buildings and production equipment, it also had a considerable impact on our supply chain. But we realize that, during a crisis, achieving a rapid recovery so that we can provide our customers with a stable supply of products is our social responsibility, which is why we concentrated all of our resources on minimizing the impact of this catastrophe on society.
A Focus on Human Resources Development that Passes Down our Corporate Culture and Contributes to Sustainable Social Development
At Canon, we embrace the enterprising spirit that symbolizes our corporate culture, as well as the San-ji (Three Selfs) Spirit—self-motivation, self-management and self-awareness—which has been a guiding principle since the company's founding. These, along with a foundation of respect for humanity, have guided Canon throughout our history of self-transformation and growth.
By passing down these ideals and nurturing human resources with global sensibilities, we will make steady progress as a truly excellent global company, achieving further growth over the next 100, or even 200, years while continuing to contribute to the sustainable development of society.
We look forward to your continued understanding and support.
Fujio Mitarai
Chairman and CEO
Canon Inc.
