Canon believes sound growth is predicated on strengthening its primary businesses. With innovative and attractive industryleading products, and an emphasis on highly profitable solutions and services, Canon aims to achieve the overwhelming No. 1 position in each of its primary businesses. At the same time, the company continues to grow its secondary businesses in related areas such as network cameras and the retail photo segment.
Excellent Global Corporation Plan
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Aiming to join the ranks of the world's top 100 companies, Canon has initiated a transformation.
- Phase IV 2011-2015
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In 2011, Canon embarked on Phase IV of the Excellent Global Corporation Plan, which was initiated in 1996 based on the company's corporate philosophy of kyosei with the goal of becoming a truly excellent global company admired and respected the world over.
In Phases I, II and III, Canon strengthened its financial structure and compiled a steadily growing record of achievements.
Now, in Phase IV, it aims to achieve sound growth under the slogan "Aiming for the Summit: Speed & Sound Growth."
- Phase I 1996-2000
- To strengthen its financial base, Canon transformed its mindset from partial optimization to total optimization and shifted from a focus on sales to a focus on profit. During this phase, the company instituted various business innovations, including cash flow management, selection and consolidation of business areas, and reform activities in such areas as production and development.
- Phase II 2001-2005
- Aiming to become No.1 in all major business areas, Canon focused on strengthening product competitiveness along with the changing times, stepping up efforts to digitize its products to deliver new value in an increasingly networked world. The company also improved its corporate financial health through various management reforms across all Canon Group businesses and divisions.
- Phase III 2006-2010
- Under Phase III, Canon is moving ahead with such growth strategies as enhancing existing businesses and expanding into new areas. The company is also working to realize further improvements in management quality through "real-time management" capable of responding quickly to dramatic changes in the business environment, along with the thorough implementation of supply chain management and IT reforms.
Achieving the overwhelming No. 1 position in all core businesses and expanding related and peripheral businesses
Developing new business through globalized diversification and establishing the Three Regional Headquarters management system
Canon has intensified efforts to strengthen two new business domains: medical imaging and intelligent robots for automated production. To date, the company had made Japan its center for innovation, promoting business development and diversification. Now, however, Canon is looking to M&A and other methods to achieve innovation in the U.S. and Europe as well, creating a global R&D framework based on its Three Regional Headquarters management system.
Establishing a world-leading globally optimized production system
Canon optimizes productivity by diversifying its production facilities worldwide. With the aim of achieving rational production in terms of product quality and cost, the company comprehensively assesses such factors as distribution, parts procurement, labor, and risk. Production is further enhanced by Canon's in-house production of tools, materials and technologies, including automated production systems.
Comprehensively reinforcing global sales capabilities
As developing and resource-rich economies in Asia, South America and Africa join the ranks of the world's growth centers, Canon continuously assesses trends and aligns its global sales structure accordingly. In Europe and the U.S., for instance, Canon is strengthening its services and solutions sales force and deepening its partnership with Oce N.V. In Asia, the company focuses on the Chinese market while expanding sales in ASEAN countries.
Building the foundations of an environmentally advanced corporation
As an environmentally progressive company, Canon pursues environmental conservation hand in hand with business growth. The company employs technologies that support energy savings and resource conservation through every stage of the product lifecycle— from initial design and production to eventual recycling. In all its corporate activities, Canon undertakes efforts to reduce burden on the environment.
Imparting a corporate culture, and cultivating human resources befitting a truly excellent global company
The enterprising spirit at the heart of Canon has enabled the company to continuously transform itself over many decades. This is refl ected in Canon's guiding principles—the San-ji (Three Selfs) Spirit (refer to page 25)—which have been passed down since its founding. Today, Canon actively works to maintain a corporate culture that values transformation. At the same time, the company's international training programs help to develop personnel befitting a truly excellent global company.
