In two different interviews Nikon executives mentioned that they have “almost” completed a new generation of digital cameras which will offer customers new ways to enjoy their images. “Creating markets by launching new generation products and products of new domain” is also on of the four challenges listed on the business strategy section for Nikon’s Imaging division.
Next are some quotes from the interview.
Nikon’s website has a new business section which contains some interesting quotes on the Imaging Company page from an interview with Yasuyuki Okamoto:
“Create new markets by launching new generation products and products of new domain”
“Another issue we are addressing is the shortening of product development lead times. To successfully compete against our peers, the realization of shorter lead times is absolutely imperative.”
“Further, Nikon has almost completed development of new generation digital cameras that it began working on several years ago as products that would pioneer a new market sphere. Nikon is currently monitoring world market trends as it considers the appropriate timing for the launch of these new products.”
Similar wording came out in another interview with Mkoto Kimura (Representative Director, President, Member of the board):
“We have almost completed development of a new generation digital camera that we began working on several years ago, which will offer customers new ways to enjoy images. We are currently monitoring world market trends as we consider the appropriate timing for the launch of these new products.”
And some updates on the post-earthquake recovery:
“In the fiscal year ended March 2011, the earthquake had a negative impact on net sales amounting to ¥8,000 million and a negative impact on operating income of ¥3,000 million. Furthermore, one plant and seven manufacturing companies in the Group sustained damage from the disaster and had to suspend operations. However, by the end of March all facilities had steadily begun to resume operations, and by the end of April 2011 we were able to restore our production capacity to the pre-quake level.”
“although the Great East Japan Earthquake caused damage to component supply chains, the situation is improving more rapidly than we originally anticipated.”
Oh, and there will be more of Ashton Kutcher:
“… the rollout of aggressive television advertising campaigns to raise brand awareness (in the US)”
Q1 financial results for the year ending March 2012 will be announced on August 10th at 3:00 pm Japanese time.
