HISTORY - TIMELINE

Management Philosophy
"SANYO is committed to becoming an indispensable element in the lives of people all over the world."

SANYO's first three products, the bicycle generator lamp, the plastic cabinet radio, and the whirlpool action washing machine, set the foundation for a half-century of phenomenal growth and product excellence that has become the SANYO Worldwide Group of companies. By pinpointing specific human needs and delivering quality products at easily accessible prices, the new company quickly built a solid foundation for innovation and value.

From that dynamic start in the 1950's, SANYO grew by leaps and bounds expanding to all corners of the globe as was envisioned when the company was named "SANYO", or three oceans. As an all around consumer electronics and appliance manufacturer, SANYO factories not only supplied the products that revolutionized our lifestyles, but it created economic opportunities to people in 26 countries around the world.
Today, SANYO has evolved into a global leader, championing a vast array of promising new technologies, including PCS phones, alternative energy sources, LCD display panels and digital cameras to name just a few.

Timeline

1947 SANYO Electric Works is founded in Osaka, Japan.

1950 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is established and becomes Japan's top manufacturer of bicycle generator lamps.

1952 Production and marketing of home electric appliances commences, starting with plastic radios.

1953 Whirlpool action washing machines, a milestone in Japan's consumer electronics boom, are launched.

1955 Mass production of televisions commences.

1959 SANYO becomes the top exporter of transistor radios.

1963 The SANYO CADNICA battery line makes possible the start of the era of cordless electric products.

1974 SANYO becomes a participant in Japanese government's Sunshine Project aimed at developing technologies for responding to the oil crisis.

1977 First practical use of SANYO Lithium batteries.

1979 Amorphous silicon solar batteries are developed.

1982 Mass production of solar batteries started.

1989 First practical use of SANYO Lithium secondary battery.

1990 First practical use of SANYO Nickel batteries (TWICELL).

1990 New refrigeration system based on hydrogen developed. SANYO's solar airplane with Amorton battery successfully crosses the American continent for the first time.

1992 Establishment of the General Electric/ SANYO retail battery brand.

1994 First practical use of SANYO Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries.

1996 Consolidation of all North American companies under the SANYO North America Corporation.

1997 SANYO launches its Blimp in North America.

1998 ISO certification achieved for all manufacturing facilities.

1998 The first SANYO manufactured, Sprint PCS phone made available to the market.

1999 SANYO Lithium Polymer Batteries launched.

1999 SANYO Video Components awarded by the President of the Republic of Mexico, Mr. Ernesto ZedilloPonce de Leon, as one of the winners of the National Electric Energy Saving Program.

2000 SANYO Electric celebrates its 50th anniversary. SANYO Electric reaches an alliance agreement with Maytag Corporation (U.S.A.) concerning home appliances. Domestic production of SANYO sealed-type nickel cadmium batteries reaches 5 billion, the highest rate in the world.

2000 Air conditioner businesses for commercial and home applications combined and united, establishing SANYO Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. World's first 5.5 inch active matrix type organic EL display developed jointly with Eastman Kodak Company.

2001 SANYO Electric reaches an agreement with Ford Motor Company for the supply of battery systems for Ford's hybrid electric vehicles. SANYO Museum opens.

2001 SANYO Electric acquires nickel metal hydride battery business from Toshiba Group. SANYO reaches agreement with Sharp Corporation to collaborate in home appliances. New washing machine featuring the Zero Detergent course launched.

2002 SANYO Electric concludes comprehensive agreement with Haier Group Company, largest consumer electronics appliance manufacturer in China. SANYO Electric forms technological partnership with Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Korea. SANYO Electric establishes joint-venture company with Eastman Kodak Company, launching OLED display production. SANYO Solar Ark, a giant photovoltaic power generating system, and Solar Lab, a solar energy museum, open.