Panasonic Industry Europe GmbH Robert-Koch-Strasse 100 85521 Ottobrunn celebrates 100th Anniversary Press Contact: Mandy Kuhl Panasonic honours the achievement of the founder and shares Corporate Communications Manager [email protected] the vision for the next hundred years Tel: 089 453541 438

Ottobrunn/Munich, 20 March 2018 – Panasonic Corporation celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2018. founded Panasonic on 7 March 1918. In the same year, the company introduced an improved attachment plug. The next product was a double cluster socket that made it possible to power lights and appliances from a single source. His innovations may appear small nowadays, but the electronic products provided a new dimension of comfort back then. Matsushita’s vision on how electronic appliances will make consumers’ lives better proved just right. Within 100 years, Panasonic evolved to become one of the leading electronics manufacturers in the world.

Johannes Spatz, President of Panasonic Industry Europe: “Since the very beginning of Panasonic, we’ve addressed society’s needs and developed new technologies to enable people to lead better and more comfortable lives. Our approach to product development has not changed. The technology will keep evolving and we will keep supporting new industry trends as a trusted partner of our customers.”

Towards new Technology Revolution

Looking to the future, Panasonic identified two areas of constant advancement and fundamental change. Firstly, the electrification of all aspects of our lives, starting in our homes, workplaces, factories and vehicles will more and more touch every aspect of life and society. Secondly, Panasonic supports the ongoing developments in terms of mobility as another game changer for the society of tomorrow.

Mr. Spatz added: “The product development is getting increasingly faster and we will see more innovations in the next 10 years than we have seen over the last 100 years. Electrification, connectivity and automatization will drive this revolution. We are ready to enable our customers to be part of this revolution and support the development of their products and solutions with combined industry expertise.”

Company History

The evolution of Panasonic charts a quest for innovation that began in a tiny two-room tenement in a Japanese village and has developed into a global electronics company.

Some important milestones: • 1918: Panasonic launched as Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works • 1918: Improved attachment plug and a double cluster socket manufactured • 1929: The basic management objective set up • 1932: The corporate mission announced • 1933: Business divisional system set up • 1934: Employee Training Institute founded • 1935: Matsushita Electric Trading Company established • 1951: Matsushita made his first visit to the United States • 1952: Technical cooperation with Philips • 1955: Brand “Panasonic” launched for speakers • 1959: First sales company in North America established • 1961: First manufacturing site in Southeast Asia established • 1962: Panasonic’s first company in Europe established • 1965: Five-day work week as the first Japanese company • 1965: First manufacturing company in Africa established • 1966: First manufacturing company in Latin America established • 1972: First manufacturing company in India established • 1973: First manufacturing company in the Middle East established • 1979: Matsushita visited China and started business in China • 1989: Matsushita passed away • 1991: Basic environmental policies set up • 2003: Global brand “Panasonic” established • 2008: “Panasonic” became global brand for all companies, products and services • 2011: Acquisition of and Electric • 2013: New divisional system under four in-house companies implemented to enhance B2B business • 2014: Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town SST opened • 2015: Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems Europe founded • 2016: Global concept “A Better Life, A Better World” established

• 2017: Panasonic Industry Europe with its owned subsidiary Panasonic Electric Works Europe formed out of Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems Europe with new headquarter in Ottobrunn

More: https://eu.industrial.panasonic.com/100th-anniversary/

About Panasonic Industry Europe

Panasonic Industry Europe GmbH is part of the global Panasonic Group and provides industrial products and services in Europe. As a partner for the industry sector, Panasonic researches, develops, manufactures and supplies technologies that support the slogan “A Better Life, A Better World”. Looking back on 100 year of engineering knowhow in electronics, Panasonic is the right supplier when it comes to engineering expertise combined with solution competence. The portfolio covers key electronic components, devices and modules up to complete solutions and production equipment for manufacturing lines across a broad range of industries. Panasonic Industry Europe is part of the global company Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems, which generates over one third of Panasonic’s overall revenue. More: http://industry.panasonic.eu