The Nikkei reported this week that Sony Corp. has finally taken a bold step to reorganize its business by putting its VAIO computer division up for sale. According to the report, the company is in negotiation to offload the division to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), a Japanese investment company.
Asian Connection
With Huge Increase in Fiscal YTD Net Loss – JVC Kenwood Moves to Cut Staff & Buy a Company
JVC Kenwood Corporation released their year-to-date results for the first nine months (April 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013) of the current fiscal year at the end of last week. The results clearly portrayed a company in a struggle to turn their flagging business around. Although 9-month sales showed a 2.6% increase to ¥230.3 billion ($2.3 billion), up from ¥224.5 billion ($2.2 billion) last year…the company also booked a net loss that also increased more than four-fold – from ¥1.4 billion ($13.8 million) last year to ¥5.7 billion ($55.7 million) now.
See more on both JVC Kenwood’s results…and their moves to rectify the situation… [Read more…] about With Huge Increase in Fiscal YTD Net Loss – JVC Kenwood Moves to Cut Staff & Buy a Company
Forget Wearables! Japan Invents UnWearables – A Bra That Only Pops Open for True Love
One of the hot topics at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month was “wearables” – technology that you wear somewhere on your body. Whether Google Glass on your head, or a FitBit wrist band, the magic happens when you put it on.
Now out of Japan, we learn of a new technology where the magic happens…when you take it off! Developed by a lingerie company that apparently employs hot-blooded engineers to create cool technology – the True Love Tester is a bra with a latch that will only open if the lady is truly in love.
Is this the Next Big Thing?…You’ve got to see this!… [Read more…] about Forget Wearables! Japan Invents UnWearables – A Bra That Only Pops Open for True Love
Taiwan’s Foxconn Looks to Build Factories in the U.S. – Six States Compete for Selection
Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese company with manufacturing plants in China, and the world’s largest manufacturer of electronics – is looking to build one or more factories here in the U.S. The company, mostly known as the primary manufacturer of Apple’s popular iPhone, is in negotiations with Arizona and Colorado, according to a report by Bloomberg. But four other states have thrown their hats into the ring as well.
See more on this turn of events, a Taiwanese company building factories in the U.S…. [Read more…] about Taiwan’s Foxconn Looks to Build Factories in the U.S. – Six States Compete for Selection
It’s Official, Moody’s Says Sony is ‘Junk’
In a move that has been highly anticipated or, depending on your point of view, highly dreaded, Moody’s Investors Service cut its credit rating on Sony Corp. by one notch, dropping it below investment grade – taking it to “junk” status, in industry parlance. The downgrade was made on Monday and it is significant in that it symbolizes the continuing struggles of the company as it to tries to improve its fortunes – so far with mixed results.
See more on this huge announcement sure to be the bane of Sony management… [Read more…] about It’s Official, Moody’s Says Sony is ‘Junk’
JVC Kenwood Launches 1st Initiative in New, More Commercial Business Strategy
Just one day after we reported that JVC Kenwood was turning away from the Consumer Electronics business and choosing to instead pursue more commercial enterprises – the company announces its first major partnership in this new operating model. The company has partnered with Europe’s Airbus Defence and Space in a major new initiative to develop a public safety wireless broadband technology for the North American and European markets.
Learn more about the major new partnership for the company… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Launches 1st Initiative in New, More Commercial Business Strategy
This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
In a big announcement in Tokyo today, JVC Kenwood CEO Haruo Kawahara said the company will drastically overhaul its business – more so that previously announced – turning away from consumer electronics and towards more commercial businesses, according to the Nikkei. The CEO, in his most specific comments since the company revised its forecast from a profit to a loss for the current fiscal year, is signaling a significant sea change for the company…
See more on this surprising announcement from the struggling company… [Read more…] about This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
JVC Kenwood announced in Japan that it has made a substantial investment valued at $300 million in the WiL Fund I, L.P., a company that it describes as a “venture investment consultation organization.” The company says it is partnering with WiL (World Innovation Lab) as part of a plan to find new potential acquisitions “to enhance growth in next generation development business.”
See more on this new report out of Japan… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
Major OLED Production Problems Force Panasonic & Sony to Refocus on 4K
In a report that appeared in the Nikkei on Christmas Day, it appears that Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. have dissolved a joint OLED production initiative and will instead seek new methods individually. As a result, both companies will back-burner OLED and redouble their efforts on building their 4K UHDTV businesses.
This decision – along with poor sales of OLED sets from Samsung & others, calls it’s future into question… [Read more…] about Major OLED Production Problems Force Panasonic & Sony to Refocus on 4K
Toshiba Tries to Turnaround Its Troubled TV Division
Toshiba Corp. has launched an aggressive strategy aimed at turning around its troubled, money-losing television manufacturing business. We wrote last week about their decision to close a manufacturing plant in China in a bid to restructure their production base – one part of a larger TV turnaround strategy. Now word comes of additional aggressive moves by the company attempting to return their once vaunted TV business to profitability.
