Pioneer
 | |
| Type | Private multinational corporation |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1938 (as Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho) |
| Founder(s) | Nozomu Matsumoto |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Products | Home/car/business audio/video electronics and other various consumer electronic products. |
| Operating income | 7,612,005,219 USD |
| Employees | 42,775 (as of March 31, 2008) |
| Website | http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ |
Pioneer Electronics -- most commonly known as Pioneer -- is a multinational conglomerate from Tokyo, Japan, specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of digital entertainment products, like car audio and automotive navigation systems, televisions, PC/DVD drives/recorders, as well as miscellaneous DJ equipment.
Contents
Company History
Nozomu Matsumoto founded Pioneer as an audio products manufacturer and repair shop in 1938.
Today, it has developed into a multinational industrial conglomerate responsible for important creations and patents in the consumer electronics field, such as: the consumer laser disc (1979), car CD player (1984), GPS car navigation (1990), DVD-Video player (1996), high definition plasma display (1997) and organic electroluminscent (OEL) display (1997).
One of Pioneer's greatest milestones came to be on July, 2008 when it finished developing the first-ever 16 layer Blu-ray Disc capable of storing 400 G, transforming the world's outlook on data storage capabilities.
Complete timeline of Pioneer's history, years 1938-2007[1]
Historical Financial Information
To access specific historical financial information, here are the links to Pioneer's Annual Financial Reports years 2004 through 2008:
2004 Annual Financial Report [1]
2005 Annual Financial Report [2]
2006 Annual Financial Report [3]
2007 Annual Financial Report [4]
2008 Annual Financial Report [5]
Business Strategy
The Pioneer Corporation began as a small operation to repair and manufacture speakers. It has since grown to be a corporate multinational with stature as a manufacturer of audio and video products for use at home, in the car and in business environments.
Its business strategy mainly revolves around the design, manufacture and distribution of:
1. Home Electronics
Pioneer offers an extensive product lineup to deliver home entertainment, encompassing a broad range of home electronics, including large-screen plasma TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, DVD recorders, surround sound systems, and various audio-visual components. Pioneer also provides BD/DVD drives for PCs, professional DJ equipment, and professional speakers for use in recording studios.
2. Car Electronics
Pioneer's objetive is that of being able to fusion car navigation systems and miscellaneous in-car entertainment. It is also known for supplying various car electronics products to major automakers worldwide.
"Pioneer aims to extend the world of home entertainment of exciting video images with high sound quality to the driving experience. One way Pioneer is bringing this concept to life is through DVD car theaters combining LCD color monitors, DVD players, and fullfledged surround sound systems. Aside from its dedication to providing unmatched audio quality, Pioneer offers value-added products that provide more than just car audio features, including support for the latest Bluetooth® features and compatibility with portable digital audio devices."[2]
3. Other miscellaneous products
Pioneer also designs, manufactures and distributes a vast array of headphones, speaker devices for home and professional use, Organic LED (OLED) displays for TV'S, and telephones for home use.
Sales charts for most of Pioneer's products:[3]
Most of Pioneer's business strategy is based on a multilocal approach looking to adapt to each regional markets' needs.
For a list of major consolidated subsidiaries as of September 2007 see Pioneer/subsidiaries as of September 2007
Political and Public Influence
Political Contributions
Lobbying
Corporate Accountability
According to the Pioneer website, this particular corporation's social responsibility initiatives look to safeguard human rights in all of its manifestations:
"The Pioneer Group Code of Conduct sets forth our commitment to ethical business practices in accordance with Pioneer's Corporate Creed, the Group Charter for Corporate Operations, and the Group Management Stance that places customer satisfaction and social responsibility as top priorities. Based on this Code of Conduct, we remain at all times deeply aware of our social responsibilities and of our obligation to act in good faith in performing our duties. Furthermore, we wish for the business conduct of the Pioneer Group to further society's trust in Pioneer, as we work to maintain and improve our contributions."
To view Pioneer's Code of Conduct:[4]
Labor
Human Rights
March 5 2008: "Congo rebels cash in on demand for tin"
Some of the world’s best known consumer electronics, including Pioneer, see themselves covered in scandalous accusations as to the origin of their supply chains, after discovering that tin from a mine controlled by renegade soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo is reaching international markets.[5]
Environment
Consumer Protection and Product Safety
Anti-Trust and Tax Practices
Social Responsibility Initiatives
Business Scope
Lines of Business and Major Products Paragraph Units/Subsidiaries
| Customers | Suppliers | Creditors | Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer 1 | Supplier 1 | Creditor 1 | Competitor 1 |
| Customer 2 | Supplier 2 | Creditor 2 | Competitor 2 |
| Customer 3 | Supplier 3 | Creditor 3 | Competitor 3 |
| Customer 4 | Supplier 4 | Creditor 4 | Competitor 4 |
Financial Information (as of DATE)
Consolidated Business Forecast for Fiscal Year March 2009
Full Year
Operating Revenue
7,612,005,219 USD
Operating Income (loss)
184,862,983 USD
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes
587,211,831 USD
Net Income (loss)
848,194,867 USD
Announced as of October 30, 2008[6]
Governance
Directors
President and Representative Director
Susumu Kotani
Executive Vice President and Representative Director
Hajime Ishizuka: in charge of Corporate Management Group and Corporate Planning Division, and export management in general
Senior Managing Director and Representative Director
Akira Haeno: general Manager of Mobile Entertainment Business Group and in charge of Procurement Group
Managing Director
Satoshi Matsumoto: in charge of Quality Control Division and Creative Sound & Voice Division
Hideki Okayasu: general Manager of Finance and Accounting Division, and Chief Financial Officer
Masanori Koshoubu: general Manager of Research & Development Group and General Manager of Technology Development Center and in charge of Network Media Platform Business Department
Directors
* Tamihiko Sudo * Shunichi Sato * Koichi Ueda
Corporate Auditors
Corporate Auditor(full time)
* Michiyoshi Ogawa *
Corporate Auditor
* Keiichi Nishikido * Shinichi Yamada
Executive Officers Senior Executive Officer
* Masao Kawabata * Yoshio Taniyama * Haruyuki Inohana * Toshiyuki Ito * Seiichiro Matsuki * Tatsuo Takeuchi
Executive Officer
* Sumitaka Matsumura * Kenji Sato * Keiichi Yamauchi * Kazumi Kuriyama * Masanori Kurosaki * Hiroyuki Mineta * Takashige Nakano * Yasuhiko Danjo * Gen Inoshita * Harumitsu Saito
Contact Information
1-4-1 Meguro, Meguro-ku,
Tokyo 153-8654, Japan
Phone: +81-3-3494-1111
Articles and Resources
Books on the Company
Related SourceWatch Articles
Sources
External Resources
External Articles
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