Panasonic Malaysia aims for RM2b sales in 2012

Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd targets RM2 billion in sales from its total energy solutions business by March next year from over RM600 million currently.

Managing Director Jeff Lee Wee Leong said total energy solutions business
would be the new growth driver with the focus on create, store, save and
manage energy.

Lee was speaking to reporters after launching the Panasonic EcoNation
Declaration today, a campaign to help Malaysia become an eco-conscious and

sustainable nation through its total energy solutions.

Lee said the sales target was achievable despite supply disruptions due to
the earthquake in Japan in March and the global situation in the United States
and Europe.

He said this was due to Panasonic Malaysia's strength and efforts to invest
in new products and services that would boost confidence among consumers and distributors.

Furthermore, Lee said the sales target would be driven by air-conditioner
and refrigerator segments, in which Panasonic Malaysia was leading in these
segments in terms of market share.

EcoNation is also an initiative to accelerate sustainable efforts and to
fulfil the corporation's goal of becoming the leading green innovation company
in the electronics industry by 2018, in honour of Panasonic's 100th anniversary.

Lee said currently eco-products make up 60 per cent of the total product
range, adding that Panasonic Malaysia planned to increase the range of
energy-efficient products by March next year.

To strengthen Panasonic Malaysia's commitment in EcoNation, Lee said the
company aimed to help Malaysia achieve a 100,000 tonnes reduction in carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Lee said Panasonic Malaysia was investing RM8 million in advertising and
promotion for the EcoNation campaign, EcoNation Centre and also for the
participation in the second International GreenTech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference from Sept 7-10.

The EcoNation Centre is designed to be a smart home that showcases
Panasonic's total energy solutions to create, store, save and manage energy.

Located at Section 16, Petaling Jaya, the centre is currently at
construction phase and is expected to be completed by year-end. -- Bernama