Toshiba to cut another 25% of workforce in Visual Products Business

Toshiba Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services Corporation, today announced further structural reforms of its visual products business.

Building on earlier restructuring of the business,which includes LCD TVs, and in response to a still harsh business environment, Toshiba will now implement further measures that will support the business in securing consistent profit.

In FY2013, Toshiba cut fixed cost in the visual products business by approximately 10
billion yen. It halved the employee headcount and integrated overseas TV manufacturing
operations by selling a plant in Poland, closing one in China, and centering in-house
production on a facility in Indonesia. Productivity was further improved by increasing
products for the global market sourced from original design manufacturers (ODMs) from
about 40% to 70%, while moves to raise profitability included widening the product mix,
ceasing sales in unprofitable markets, including Oceania and Latin America, and reducing
surplus inventory and logistic costs at the global level. The visual products business was also
integrated with Toshiba Home Appliances Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary handling
white goods, in Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services Corporation, a move intended to
improve use of resources and promote synergies.
Last year’s measures have won improvements and taken the business toward profitability.
The latest round will concentrate resources on growth markets, as a means to secure stable
profit at a higher level. The business will now focus on Japan, where growth in demand for
large size Ultra HD (4K) LCD TVs is anticipated, and on high growth emerging markets.
Sales sites in low profit countries and regions will be optimized, from 24 to 12 sites around
the world, by the first half of FY2015. This move will also reduce the visual products
business’s global workforce by about 25%, excluding the manufacturing operation which has
already reduced its headcount, and is expected to cut fixed costs by a further 10 billion yen
against the FY2014 level.
Toshiba will continue to refine the best structure for its lifestyle products businesses, and
also develop new products and services.

Konica Minolta president says to continue with share buybacks

Konica Minolta Inc’s president told Reuters on Wednesday that the company would like to continue share buybacks after announcing its second-ever on Wednesday in a bid to sweeten up its shareholders by raising return-on-equity.

Shoei Yamana said the Japanese office copier and optical products company would continue share buybacks of around 10 billion yen ($98 million) a year, the amount it said it would buy back on Wednesday when announcing its quarterly earnings.

Konica Minolta also said it would cancel 20 million shares, or 3.8 percent of the total issued, on Aug. 29. 

 

 

 

Reporting by Sophie Knight; Editing by Chris Gallagher

KONICA MINOLTA 1st Quarter Financial Results 2015

Full details: http://www.konicaminolta.com/about/investors/pdf/fr/konicaminolta/2015_h27/1q_2015fr_all.pdf

Presentation Available here:

Click to access 2015_1q_presentation.pdf

(Units of less than 1 million yen have been omitted.)

1. Overview of the 1Q performance (From April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014)

(1) Business performance

Percentage figures represent the change from the same period of the previous year.

[Millions of yen]

	Net sales		Operating income		Ordinary income		Net income
1Q Mar/2015	228,284	4.5%	11,661	49.1%	10,449	48.2%	5,603	-42.7%
1Q Mar/2014	218,543	15.4%	7,818	23.3%	7,050	47.3%	9,774	-%

Note: Comprehensive income
1Q Mar/2015: ¥ 2,461 million (-87.3 %)
1Q Mar/2014: ¥ 19,445 million (- %)

 

	Net income per share	Net income per share (after full dilution)
1Q Mar/2015	10.97 yen	10.95 yen
1Q Mar/2014	18.43 yen	18.39 yen

 

(2) Financial position

[Millions of yen]

	Total assets	Net assets	Equity ratio (%)
June 30, 2014	935,878	467,538	49.8%
March 31, 2014	966,060	480,055	49.5%

Note: Shareholders’ equity
As of June 30, 2014: ¥ 465,883 million
As of March 31, 2014: ¥ 478,404 million

 

 

2. Dividends per share

[yen]

	1Q	2Q	3Q	Year-end	Total annual
FY Mar/2014	–	10.00	–	7.50	17.50
FY Mar/2015	–
FY Mar/2015 (forecast)		10.00	–	10.00	20.00

Note: Change to the latest dividend forecast announced:  None

 

 

3. Consolidated results forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015
(From April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015)

Percentage figures for the full year represent the change from the previous fiscal year.

[Millions of yen]

	Net sales		Operating income		Ordinary income		Net income		Net income per share
Full-year	1,000,000	6.0%	62,000	6.6%	57,000	4.4%	26,000	18.9%	51.51 yen

Note: Change to the latest consolidated results forecast announced:  None

At the Board of Directors meeting held on July 30, 2014, the Company approved the acquisition of its own shares based on Article 156 of the Company Law, which is applicable in accordance with Article 165, Paragraph 3 of the same law. As a result, net income per share in the consolidated results forecasts for the year ending March 31, 2015 has been stated after factoring in the impact of the Company’s acquisition of its own shares.

 

 

Notes

(1)

Changes in status of material subsidiaries during the quarter under review (Changes to specified subsidiaries accompanying the additional consolidation or removal from consolidation of companies): Yes
Included one subsidiary: Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd.

(2)

Adoption of special accounting treatment used in preparation of the quarterly consolidated financial statements: Yes
Note: For more detailed information, please see “(1) Adoption of Special Accounting Treatment Used in Preparation of the Consolidated Quarterly Financial Statements” in section 2. SUMMARY INFORMATION (NOTES) on page 12.

(3)

Changes in accounting policy, changes in accounting estimates, or restatement due to correction
a. Changes in accounting policy accompanying amendment of accounting principles:  Yes
b. Changes in accounting policy other than “a.”:  None
c. Changes in accounting estimates:  None
d. Restatement due to correction:  None

(4)

Number of shares (common stock)
a. Issued shares at period-end (including treasury stock)
    First quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2015:  531,664,337 shares
    Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014:  531,664,337 shares
b. Treasury shares at period-end
    First quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2015:  21,097,704 shares
    Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014:  16,720,688 shares
c. Average number of outstanding shares
    First quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2015:  510,557,337 shares
    First quarter of fiscal year ended March 31, 2014:  530,316,486 shares

 

Presentation of Present Status of Quarterly Review Procedures

This “First Quarter Consolidated Financial Results” is not subject to quarterly review procedures in accordance with the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and, as of the date of publication of these quarterly consolidated financial results, the quarterly review procedures for the consolidated quarterly financial statements are currently in progress.

 

Explanation of Appropriate Use of Performance Projections and Other Special Items

(Note on forward-looking statements)
This document contains projections of performance and other projections that were made based on information currently available and certain assumptions judged to be reasonable. The Konica Minolta Group makes no warranty as to the achievability of the projections. There is a possibility that diverse factors may cause actual performance, etc. to differ materially from the projections. Please see “(3) Outlook for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015” in section 1. CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS on page 11 for more information on points to be remembered in connection with assumptions for projections and the use of projections.

Konica Minolta and Del Medical Partner on Digital Radiography

Konica Minolta and Del Medical have announced a partnership to unite Konica Minolta’s AeroDR wireless panel and Del Medical’s x-ray systems. Effectively immediately, the agreement includes all three sizes of AeroDR panels (10 x 12 inches; 14 x 17 inches; 17 x 17 inches). The AeroDR wireless panel is marketed as the world’s lightest, most compact digital x-ray device and includes a rechargeable lithium ion capacitor in a sealed cassette. The unit meets ISo 4090 standards and is compatible with Del Medical’s fixed digital radiography solutions, including wall stands or table bucky trays. “With this agreement, Konica Minolta expands the market presence of AeroDR, a high-quality, durable, and wireless digital radiography plate that delivers exceptional image quality with dose efficiency,” said Joe Giordano, vice president of business development, Konica Minolta Medical Imaging. “We are proud to partner with Del Medical and believe that by combining our panel with their high-quality and economic imaging solution we can together address the imaging needs of today’s imaging providers.” For more information, visit Konica Minolta and Del Medical. – See more at: http://www.imagingeconomics.com/2014/07/konica-minolta-del-medical-partner-digital-radiography/#sthash.Myl1bSTf.dpuf

Akers Biosciences Signs Feasibility Study Deal With Konica Minolta to Develop Rapid Test to Aid Heart Attack Diagnoses

Akers Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKER) (LSE:AKR) (the “Company” or “Akers”), a leading designer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic screening and testing products, has signed a feasibility study deal with Konica Minolta, Inc. (“Konica Minolta”) to develop a rapid test for the early detection of cardiac muscle tissue damage – a condition commonly observed in patients suffering myocardial infarction (heart attacks). Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in U.S, with approximately 1.1 million Americans suffering heart attacks each year.

The Japanese technology company, Konica Minolta, has asked Akers to study a diagnostic test based on Akers’ proprietary Particle Immuno Filtration Assay (“PIFA”) technology which, if successful, will facilitate the rapid detection of biomarkers present in a blood sample which can be used to identify cardiac muscle tissue damage. Such tissue damage can occur even at the early stages of a heart attack so early diagnosis could have a significant beneficial impact on patient treatment. The PIFA technology, when combined with Akers’ proprietary Rapid Blood Cell Separation Technology, seraSTAT, permits the testing of whole blood from a finger prick sample allowing a test to be carried out in minutes at the point of care.

Currently available tests for cardiac muscle tissue damage require a blood draw and the use of an interpretation device (a reader); and typically take 20-30 minutes to complete in a laboratory. Konica Minolta, at its own cost, has asked Akers to study a test which can be performed in under 10 minutes, using only a small blood sample obtained from a finger stick; and which can be read visually at the point of care.

“Identifying the early stages of a heart attack – or knowing that one has occurred – is critical for treatment,” said Raymond F. Akers Jr., Ph.D, Executive Chairman. “Many heart attacks develop slowly; some without obvious symptoms or some with symptoms commonly associated with other conditions such as indigestion, fatigue or stress. Therefore the ability to perform real-time diagnoses of cardiac muscle tissue damage which is specifically indicative of myocardial infarction would dramatically impact the treatment of heart attack sufferers and improve survival rates,” continued Dr. Akers. “Konica Minolta has asked Akers to study a diagnostic test which, if successful, would be the world’s first test to diagnose a heart attack in real-time,” added Dr. Akers.

“That Konica Minolta has selected Akers to study such a test is a significant endorsement of our proprietary technologies which make many different types of rapid diagnoses possible. We are excited to work with them.”

Additionally, it is important to note that the Company will retain all of its intellectual property rights related to the test being developed for Konica Minolta.

Konica Minolta Releases Automated Workflow Solution for Financial Documents

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announces a new automated workflow solution to help financial providers securely capture, process, and distribute financial documents with ease while meeting regulatory demands. Part of Konica Minolta’s EnvisionIT Finance solution portfolio, Dispatcher Phoenix Finance helps banks, financial institutions and accounting departments streamline paper-based document processes to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve access to information.

“Delivering solutions that become an extension to our customers business is key when introducing new products that are relevant today. The security around information is a top concern for all businesses – especially for those businesses that deal with financial statements or client information,” says Sam Errigo, senior vice president, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “With Dispatcher Phoenix Finance, our customers have an integrated document capture and distribution solution that automates financial document workflows and helps safeguard financial information.”

Dispatcher Phoenix Finance integrates directly into the Konica Minolta bizhub MFP control panel and offers file conversion, barcode processing, zonal OCR, integration with content management systems and cloud-based storage providers, making it easy to automate financial document processes. With Dispatcher Phoenix Finance, administrators will be able to:

Secure Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and financial information – Dispatcher Phoenix Finance includes file conversion to PDF/A features for archiving, intelligent redaction, automatic file conversion to password-protected PDFs, and direct integration with Active Directory. 

Automate manual paper-based processes – Streamline time-consuming manual processes, including renaming, splitting, routing, converting, and indexing files, with just a touch of a button.

Access information quickly – Loan packages, appraisals, credit applications, insurance claims, etc. can be easily converted to a large variety of Microsoft Office formats, such as Excel and Word, and Searchable PDF format for quick accessibility of important information.

Scan to secure folder or content management system – Dispatcher Phoenix Finance includes a connector to Microsoft SharePoint that allows you to scan, index, and route files to SharePoint either from the MFP control panel or via an automated workflow. In addition, files can be automatically distributed to various destinations at the same time, such as email recipients, network folders, FTP servers, and more.

Leverage barcode and OCR technology for improved data processing – To improve the management of financial records, Dispatcher Phoenix’s barcode recognition feature allows documents to be automatically routed to various destinations based on barcode values. And powerful zonal OCR capabilities allow financial providers to automatically extract relevant data for use in back-end systems.

 

 

 

Contacts:

Karen Harris
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 201.818.3231
kharris@kmbs.konicaminolta.us

Alicia Libucha
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 857.205.0919
alibucha@kmbs.konicaminolta.us

Konica Minolta Establishes Manufacturing Subsidiary in Malaysia for MFP Consumable Production

Konica Minolta, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it established “KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.” (BMMY) in Malaysia as 100%-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia Pte. Ltd. which is regional head offices in Southeast Asia of the Company.

1. Background and aim of establishment

In the line with the core business of the Company’s Business Technologies Business, it has been globally offering its main “bizhub-series” MFPs and a variety of solution services including proposals to optimize customer enterprises’ print environment through OPS (Optimized Print Services). In the line with the business expansion, “bizhub-series” MFPs have grown in numbers year after year and expectations are increasing for enhancement in a steadier supply system of consumables and parts.

BMMY, whose establishment is driven by the Company’s strong commitment to meeting these increasing needs, will use the best production technologies from accumulation of the Company’s superb manufacturing know-how and adopt the latest production process with high efficiency and productivity, along with consideration to safety and environmental soundness. BMMY will be running as innovative model factory to showcase the excellence of production capability through introduction of state-of-the-art solution services such as ICT services and document management system which are currently being offered to customers of the Company. Furthermore, BMMY will be able to stable shipping of the consumables to various parts of the globe and by collaborating with its Southeast Asian sales and service headquarters in Singapore, the Company will be well positioned to offer enhanced customer services in the region.

The new manufacturing site for MFP consumables will help the Company’s various risks with flexibility and build on its capabilities with improvement in business continuity.

2. Overview of new manufacturing subsidiary

Company name	KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
Representative	Hideyuki Yoshida
Location	Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia
Established	26th May 2014
Start of full operation	October 2014 (Scheduled)
Capital stock	135,000,000MYR (100%owned by Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia Pte. Ltd.)
Business operation	Manufacturing of consumables, parts and units for MFPs
Lot area	Approximately 104,000 square meters

Konica Minolta Signs Research Collaboration Agreement with Singaporean I2R, Accelerating Business Development in New Areas

 Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce that its Business Innovation Center (BIC) Asia Pacific has signed a Research Collaboration Agreement with A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R^*1)^*2.

In its new medium term business plan “TRANSFORM 2016,” Konica Minolta aims to achieve transformation in the Group’s broad range of businesses through completely customer-centric ideas and actions and become a corporation that can deliver highly value-added solutions.

On February 20, 2014, the company established the BIC in Singapore to strongly drive transformation to services business. In alliance with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the BIC has launched locally optimized business incubations in various areas.

Toward further enhancement of business incubation activities more dynamically with speed and urgency, the BIC has signed a Research Collaboration Agreement with I2R that has been conducting researches in network, system security, voice recognition and wireless communications, among others. Based on the agreement, the BIC and I2R have launched collaborative activities for business development in new areas.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of I2R and opinion leaders from EDB and the National University of Singapore. Konica Minolta took the opportunity to showcase initiatives embracing both business technologies and healthcare businesses in the field of healthcare monitoring, an emerging technology with increasing social interest. Several programs by the BIC were also presented to demonstrate its vast interest in exploring new business areas and developing new products and services beyond traditional business sectors. Those efforts will be helpful in strengthening alliance with governmental agencies in Singapore in the future.

In addition to the initiatives in Singapore, Konica Minolta will continue to showcase its latest programs at its BICs in other four regions (North America, Europe, China^*3 and Japan) and proactively keep up external communications so that the business and academic communities will understand that the BICs are strongly focused on realizing true needs of the customers. Through the activities, the BICs will be cooperating with supporting partner companies and aiming to turn the innovations into businesses with speediness.

Under the brand proposition “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta strives to contribute to making a difference to society and become a company vital to society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*1

Founded in 2002, I2R is an organization under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). With more than 300 scientists, more than 300 Ph.D.’s and over 250 engineers, I2R has filed more than 300 patent applications.

*2

The agreement was signed on July 7, 2014.

*3

Scheduled to open by March 2015.

National Award and Investment at Devon Printer

It was 25 years ago this year that Hedgerow Print was established, initially in the old Ambrosia factory in Lapford, then moving to the current premises on Lords Meadow Industrial Estate in Crediton in 2000.

If their 25th Anniversary was not enough reason to celebrate in 2014, the Company has just been voted UK Environment Focused Printing Firm of the Year in the prestigious 2014 Acquisition International Magazine Global Business Excellence Awards.

“Winning this award is just the icing on the cake in our silver anniversary year,” said Gary Radford, Managing Director, “we were one of the first printing companies in the west country to introduce a carbon neutral scheme and to see our environmental efforts recognised through a national award is really terrific for the whole team at Hedgerow.”

Changing print technology has meant that almost all the equipment at Hedgerow Print has been replaced in the last ten years and, to keep up with demand, the company are now expanding their digital print department by installing an additional digital press. The new Konica Minolta 1070 digital system, a brand new model, incorporates the latest technology, which represents a step up in quality as well as a much faster throughput.

“Technology has had a major impact on the print business in recent years and the need to maintain a modern, very ef¬ficient print facility offering a wide range of printing services has demanded continuous investment in equipment,” continued Gary. “Digital print has been a particular growth area for us and with the new press we can offer an even more efficient service to our customers.”

“We chose a Konica Minolta 1070 machine because of the quality; it is now very difficult to see the difference between digital and lithographic print.”

To complement the new press a new folding machine has also been installed, which gives Hedgerow Print the facility to fold thicker material and fulfil more complex fold combinations in-house. The first job to use this new folding system was a map and guide for the Detached & Timeless Exhibition at the award winning RAMM Museum in Exeter, a run of 10,000 large A2 documents folded to A5.

Both the environment and customer service have always been high priorities at Hedgerow Print and, now in their 26th year, the company continues to offer a wide range of environmentally friendly printing services from their modern, efficient facility in Crediton, including lithographic, digital and large format printing.

For more information about the printing services available at Hedgerow Print call 01363 777595 or visit www.hedgerowprint.co.uk  

Konica Minolta Partners With Abhishek Computers And Laptops For Telangana State

To drive strategic expansion plan in the Hyderabad market Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd., a subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Japan announced its alliance with Abhishek Computers and laptops. The association will facilitate Konica Minolta to put together its strategy and expand its presence in the city.

Mr. Yuji Nakata, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India says “We are looking for more channel partners to join Konica Minolta family which will help us further to increase our market reach for A4 product segment.”

“Konica Minolta India has clear intention to grasp leadership position in the Hyderabad market,” He further accentuated, “After establishing itself as a market leader in the production printer segment, we aim to establish our self in A4 segment as well.”

“We are constantly intensifying and enhancing the products and services that we offer in orderto keep up with the ever changing market and technology. And to take this successfully to our customers, we rely on our planned partnerships.”

Commenting on the association Mr. P. Badrinath, Proprietor Abhishek Computers and laptops said “Our partnership with Konica Minolta will be exceptional and we are glad to be associated with them in their plans for expansion in India. They are a well networked team and have provided good services to their customers. We identify with Konica Minolta’s standards of having a strong focus on customers’ requirements and importance they give to technology.”