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Panasonic to trim TV business, cut 1,000 jobs

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The plan will come with more than 1,000 job cuts through an early retirement program

This means, they will ask everyone to take a lump sum to quit. Likely the overpaid management staff will stay due to their level of "importance" to the company.

4 ( +4 / -1 )

It's a shame because their plasma tv's are always highly rated and relatively inexpensive. Maybe that's the problem. the profit margins are too low.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ahhhh poor Panasonic. Sharp has taken over the market. You can't really blame em either. Most consumers were scared to buy a flat screen TV amid fears that it would have to be replaced within 5 years.

I'm sorry to see Panasonic on it's way down. I fully supported Panasonic when I was a kid. I was in America. Almost 13 years old. I remember this commercial came on for Panasonic. I think it was Earth Wind and Fire. That's all I wanted for my birthday. Panasonic Platinum - They WERE slightly ahead of their time.

Obviously now they are behind the times. See for yourself though. I found that commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnLWRzdeig0

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

cut more than 1,000 jobs,

That's what every companies do or will do soon for they just can't sell their products. Jobs disappear, salaries are down to create bigger profit, the evil circle closes and less people can afford buying anything, in response companies cut more jobs and outsource their production to keep the high profit, domestic employment, production and consummation deteriorate and wither, poor countries adopt new technologies and start developing their industry and economy and as soon and beat their masters.

It goes in circles.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

and as soon and beat their masters. = and soon they beat their masters.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It really discouraging news. I think plasma panels can display more beautiful and natural image than LCD panels, especially for movies and sports. Panasonic is one of two companies which actually sell plasma TV in Japan. Plasma displays will become extinct.

Japan's TV makers, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic, can create really glorious products. but price is... Besides, most people seem not to care about quality of images as long as they have minimal image quality. How can the makers promote their products?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

They should have cut the Plasma TV production more than 2yrs ago once the LCD's took over, and now with new LED's coming out with better picture, light, low energy, super thin, and low cost. Samsung TV's have surpassed all the Japanese makers because of lower cost and nearly as good of a picture, and most consumers just want the most bang for the buck. Korea also has the advantage of having a near worthless currency compared to the dollar and yen making it easy for them to sell lower than the Japanese makers.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It's my fault. I recently purchased a Panasonic 50" plasma. I should have known this would happen.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is it? quitting?! When did Japan become a nation of quitters? If Panasonic can't, then who can stand against the Samsung assault? I don't want to be forced to buy a Samsung TV.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Do not worry, no body will force you to by Korean, soon only CHINESE tvs will be made, just like everything else from Japan going to super cheap almost slave labor China. Panasonic, ganbarimashou ne!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Thats the problem, they dont know when to quit. As someone said, they should have a few years back. Consequence of not changing fast enough, j style.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I say no more tv. Read a book.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I guess, the "go digital" campaign wasn't good enough for panasonic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My first colour TV was a Panasonic CRT and it lasted for many years, then I bought a Mitsubishi and now we own Panasonic , Toshiba and Sony LCDs. All seem very reliable. It is very compeditive and I feel sorry if Panasonic management has not achieved the sales they expected. Well done Panasonic staff for what has been achieved so far. Best wishes for the future.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The market is very crowded. What I can't understand is why can't I buy a Samsung? Samsung TV's are sold all over Asia but I can't see any in Bic Camera etc.

Personally I like Sharp. I bought a 60" Aquos and am very pleased with it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To boost the sales of more expensive high image quality televisions some additional factors would be helpful, such as high definition, high quality broadcast or kind of movies or programs that require high quality beautiful image display.

Without it, it doesn't make sense to invest more, for higher display quality high priced recievers as they couldn't take advantage of it anyhow. It's like buying a low built high speed sport car for bad bumpy roads with speed limit. Simply doesn't make sense. Moreover, the internet provides all kind of information either news or videos, much more and wider choices of what TV can give and as people spend more time in front of their PC I believe the TV sales will deteriorate further on.

Also, another factor, the pricing. The Chinese and South Koreans being beginner competitors comparing with the big and winner Japanese brand names , tend to sell their products with fair profit and its well known that it isn't worth to buy big Japanese brands as everything is Chinese and Koreans inside and why pay for a brand name when you can get the same under different name.

The elderly generation in Japan was quite snobbish and fell for big brand names, the younger generation is interested in one thing, the price and don't fall for big names.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Recently Haier bought Sanyo, now check if it can buy Parent Company as well !

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Took me forever to find the Samsung LED tv i wanted in this country. Yodabashi Camera and other electronics stores like to pretend that other countries don't produce electronics.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

These stories I hear more often. Feel sorry for the laid-off workers, wish them best of luck in job-hunting.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Got a 37" Viera from them this summer and it is an amazing TV! Combine this with the fact that most channels on cable are now HD (or "HV" as they say in Japan) and I am very happy, indeed. Sorry to hear they seem to be hurting. Wonder how much longer until "made in Japan" goes the way of the dodo?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This is very scary indeed, MADE IN JAPAN, one day yes may become just another Dodo bird or Kiwi bird etc..if the Japanese do not get on the ball and first of all BRING THE PRICES DOWN! Now, who has half a million yen for a 3D tv?? That maybe obsolete in say 2 or 3 years?? Blue ray etc..all too expensive and why pay so much $$$ when say in 5 years it may not even be around anymore??

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Panasonic is lacking in quality in the flat screen dept. We ended up with a Toshiba - cheaper and clearer.

They need to get rid of all the 60+ year old guys who are sitting around sucking in their salaries while a) bossing around the younger ones like slaves and b) not doing much except A.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Panasonic is lacking in quality in the flat screen dept. We ended up with a Toshiba - cheaper and clearer.

Funny, Panasonic consistently rates as one of the top, if not the top rated television for contrast and picture quality. Toshiba doesn't even rate a mention. The problem is not with Panasonic's product, it is with their profitability when competing against cheaper Korean brands that image wise are not necessarily as good, but are cheaper and more stylishly designed (same goes for Korean cars).

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-high-definition-tvs/?tag=centerColumnArea1.0;buyAdvice

1 ( +1 / -0 )

China is damaging Japans manufacturing industry, this is the real answer sadly T_T

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Samsung is now the world leader for TVs with a 20% global market share (the only country where Samsung doesn't sell TVs is Japan due to protectionist policies). I believe this is just the beginning for Japanese electronic manufacturers: Japan cannot compete anymore in this industry and should refocus on new industries with a global vision (high-end specialized electronics, products adapted for developing countries, etc...).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Spent hours looking at flat screens. The Panasonic weren't anywhere near as clear as the others - and the colours were crap. Obviously I am not the only one thinking this as well, they're cutting workers...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

At least they still have Lumix cameras... they're good.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Here is another "lost child" like SONY in global market. It is too bad.

Top rated Samsung and LG (made in Korea) are selling 1080 LEDTV light weight less than 1 inch thick with many more features and they cost less.

Samsung and LG are also capturing home appliances market and they are all top rated. Some appliances are now back ordered as the demand exceeds supply.

There is a big market left here in US for Panasonic. They just need to reevaluate their core business strategy with more innovations. Stay humble, hungry and innovative to be successful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sony, Panasonic, and Sharp are for the most part out of the TV making business. Panasonic is OEM for the most part, Sony is made in Indonesia, and Sharp is moving to China.

Sharp has one thing going...they know how to make panels. The focus in the USA now is to hit the BIG screen markets...70 inches plus. The Kameyama factory in Mie is tooling up to make iPad sized panels and products.

Most TVs of the future in Japan will be like Apple products, "Made in China, designed in Japan"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SAMSUMG can sell cheap why not invest in research and takes advantage of its cheap labor but open any Korean product and see that the most important parts are Japanese - The next target is the market for LED lighting - Hitachi and Fujitsu have invested billions in the market but they forgot the neighboring country that loves to imitate things from Japan.Korea is a country copycat.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

issa1, I hope you have not forgotten the fact tha Japan used to copy from the US too. Now, Korea and China are copying from Japan. How we should stop this bad practice is our next challenge.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

globalwatcher,I agree with you. the problem is that country's culture,is falsified from strawberry up high-tech components,all done with the connivance of the state.They are destroying the electronics industry in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese companies have lost billions of dollars thank This competition unfair and unfortunately this situation should not change. Koreans dominate over 90 percent gambling in Japan and with this money they're starting to control the mass media, political fund.....Hard times will come for the Japanese.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

to: issa1 stop blabbing that Koreans are just copycats. read here why they became globally dominant in the the market.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4338

they did something Japanese companies didn't.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

stroller, thanks for the website. Enjoyed it.

Hope all Japanese management teams read and learn from this. New blood and new thinking along with innovation are very critical for Japanese survival in global economy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Korea and China have government support. Many of the major industries in Korea are subsidized or helped by the Korean government. There are huge tax breaks for R&D and building facilities. Additionally, the Korean government buys from those industries for schools, libraries, and other institutions / gov't buildings.

In Japan...the PM can't even stay in office longer than a year. Thus, nothing gets done. Industry has be faltering for almost 2 years now, before the tsunami devastation. Now the situation is grave...and the J-Gov is still doing nothing.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The Panasonic weren't anywhere near as clear as the others - and the colours were crap

Don't be fooled by appearances when looking at TVs lined up at an electronics store. You can adjust the sharpness and contrast and numerous other options on any tv. If you were bored, you could line up each brand's tv, and with a bit of work get them all producing exactly the same picture. It is pretty much common knowledge that many salespeople tweak the picture on the tvs they really want to sell (those with the highest profit margin for them) so they look more vibrant in-store, and to the uninformed consumer it looks like a "higher quality picture". The truth is, you've just fallen victim to a simple marketing trick.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There is Jobs in America if anyone losses their jobs in Japan no trouble at all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Papa, how on earth do you know when didn't play around with this? Plenty of assumptions on your part. My FIL has a Panasonic that he just got. I prefer my Toshiba.

Perhaps you've fallen victim to thinking you know it all?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

tmarie - ...wow Papa actually has hit the nail on the head with his comment. with modern day TV's it doesnt really take a rocket scientist to figure it out. In fact, even someone who doesnt "know it all" can do it!! Really!! Most people who simply "know TVs have settings" can play around!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why the assumption that a) I don't know about them and b) that we didn't look at them and change things before buying? Obviously I am not the only one not thrilled with Panazonic TVs. If I was they wouldn't be cutting jobs and others wouldn't be in the market.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

hmmmm so much negativity and talk about assumptions... We're all friends here you know (^-^)~ As for other TVs being in the market.. that's why its called a "market" if it was only one brand, it would be called a "showroom" !! p.s. Panasonic is with an 'S' not a 'Z' (^_-)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There is Jobs in America if anyone losses their jobs in Japan no trouble at all.

Only for ones with B.S. degree, Med and law with a communication skill. A type of skill set is a key here for employment.

Americans with LAS degree are having hard times. Some of them are flipping burgers.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Papa, how on earth do you know when didn't play around with this?

Sorry tmarie, I'm not attacking you personally. The "you" in "you've just fallen victim to a simple marketing trick." is not directed at you personally, but people in general who go to an electronics shop, look at all the different TVs lined up and make assumptions about which one offers the best image quality based solely upon what they see in the store.

Granted, everyone's tastes are different, and perhaps Panasonic TVs don't suit you're taste, but to claim that "Panasonic is lacking in quality in the flat screen dept." when the majority of independent TV reviews rank Panasonic near the top in picture quality, is just factually incorrect.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The ones we looked at weren't good. The one my FIL purchased doesn't impress me - nor does the price tag. Assuming that Panasonic is for everyone and that people don't look into things before buying is crazy. Panasonic is very expensive compared to others. For what we saw, what we were willing to pay, Toshiba was it. Perhaps they outprice themselves?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I though all the Japanese TV are loosing to Samsung. Didn't Sony and Samsung make some kind of deal recently? Anyway, the Chinese will take over so what's the difference. If Japan's tech industry is already loosing to Korea, what do you think will happen when China revs up their manufacturing using cyber attacked techno info. What is wrong with Japan's cyber defenses...oh right they don't have any.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ka_chan

What is wrong with Japan's cyber defenses

they are loosing their cyber defenses. See how I used that word correctly there?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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