Panasonic Holdings plans to shed about 10,000 jobs, or about 5 percent of its global workforce. The move is part of a drastic overhaul focusing on unprofitable businesses.The firm is considering selling its TV business and breaking up a unit that specializes in home appliances, air conditioners and lighting.
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Panasonic Adopts China’s Minimalist Approach to Consumer Electronics Design
In an effort to fend off competition from Chinese rivals like Haier Group and the Midea Group, Japan’s Panasonic Corporation is embracing a minimalist design philosophy inspired by China. Masahiro Shinada, President and CEO of Panasonic Corp., emphasized the need to focus on specific product capabilities while eliminating unnecessary features.
Shinada revealed that Panasonic’s Chinese division has already achieved cost savings by adopting this approach. Going forward, the company plans to increase the number of products designed in China and shipped to Southeast Asia. Additionally, Panasonic aims to enhance collaboration among its design teams across China, Japan, and Vietnam, with a focus on creating “shared models” for different Asian markets. By September 2026, approximately half of the products sold in Vietnam and Malaysia are expected to be these shared models, resulting in increased shipments from China.
This strategic shift represents a departure from Panasonic’s traditional emphasis on local manufacturing and sales. As Chinese and South Korean manufacturers optimize production efficiency and global distribution, Panasonic seeks to adapt and remain competitive.
Despite losing ground in the Japanese market for refrigerators and microwaves due to strong sales of Chinese-made models from rivals like Toshiba (which sold its consumer electronics brand to Midea Group in 2016), Panasonic has found success with its minimalist designs. For instance, the compact Solota personal dishwasher, tailored for young individuals living alone, exceeded its 2023 sales target by 40%. With limited functions, Solota efficiently handles up to six pieces of tableware at a time
Panasonic Expands Its Refrigerator Lineup With All-New Made-In-India Range,
Panasonic latest line-up of Made-in-India refrigerators. The new range of refrigerators, under Panasonic’s proprietary Prime Convertible series, comes with higher capacities and upgraded features like a bottom-mounted freezer where the freezer compartment is situated at the bottom of the refrigerator offering convenient storage and easy access to vegetables and fruits in the fridge compartment. The new Prime Convertible bottom-mounted refrigerators are available with net capacities of 401 and 357 litres
Panasonic PRIME+ Edition refrigerator
Professional chefs have been serving up juicy cuts even when working with frozen meats, thanks in part to the superior chilling technology found in commercial kitchens. With Panasonic’s PRIME+ Edition premium line of refrigerators and its game-changing Prime Freeze feature, flash freeze capabilities are now possible at home.
Panasonic’s Prime Freeze system comprises three modes within a single compartment: Rapid Freezing, Quick Cooling and Cool Down.
Rapid Freezing, as its name implies, induces a quick freeze that is five times faster than regular models, says Panasonic. The use of a powerful dedicated airflow duct and aluminium plate accelerates the freezing process, resulting in minimal ice crystals formed within the cellular structure of your produce. This means meat and vegetables are better able to retain their taste, texture and colour.
The benefits of Rapid Freezing go beyond epicurean enjoyment. Not only are more nutrients preserved, one will feel the difference during meal prep. Portion out your desired amount easily every time – flash-frozen meats are easier to handle, and items like berries and cut lettuce will not clump, so salads and smoothies are a cinch to makeFreezing is often the last resort for fried food and bread – the former loses its crunch while the latter gives up its soft, springy chewiness. Rapid Freezing makes this a thing of the past.
By quickly freezing moisture in place, crispy batter does not turn soggy. Bread remains fluffy and chewy after being warmed up, as its natural moisture has been locked in. For time-strapped folks, especially those living alone who have to cook in sizeable portions, Rapid Freezing doesn’t penalise for such reasonable decisions.
With the Quick Cooling mode in Prime Freeze, you can speed up marinating processes – in as little as 15 minutes – as marinades work faster in lower temperatures. Fancy yourself a quick chilled pudding or fruit jelly? The feature works just as well to serve up sweet treats to satisfy last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
Reversely, Cool Down works to swiftly dissipate heat (up to 70 degree Celsius) so you can handle hot food in a jiffy. This is great for when you’ve got freshly cooked items that you want to store into individual containers for consumption another day – bacterial growth on food is reduced with speedy handling.The Panasonic PRIME+ Edition refrigerators support Prime Freeze with another dedicated compartment – Prime Fresh. The section is set at minus 3 degree Celsius for a soft freezing effect, letting meat and fish stay fresh for as long as seven days, yet be easily thawed for quick prep.
Adding next-level hygiene to your food is Panasonic’s nanoe X technology. PRIME+ Edition refrigerators use nano-sized ions containing 4.8 trillion molecules that inhibit bacteria, suppress odours and even dislodge pesticides on vegetables and fruits so that they can be more easily washed away with water.
With its unique chilling modes and smart design, the Panasonic PRIME+ Edition is more than just a designer addition to your kitchen; it’s a powerful ally to eating better and healthier.
Japan’s Panasonic, Daikin Invest in Post-Covid China
Japanese companies, including Panasonic Holdings and Daikin Industries, are increasing their investments in China amid the post-Covid shake-up of global supply chains.
From 2022 to 2024, Panasonic’s investment in China will exceed JPY50 billion (USD385 million), including transferring its production line of electric rice cookers to Hangzhou, the Osaka-headquartered firm told Yicai Global recently.
Panasonic will also build or upgrade more than 10 plants to produce home appliances and air conditioning supplies in China, an insider said. The Hangzhou plant will become Panasonic’s first newly-built home appliance plant in China over the past 18 years. The facility will go into operation next year to make CNY2 billion (USD296.2 million) worth of microwaves, electric rice cookers, and other cooking appliances per year.
Strategic Decisions
Transferring the production line of electric rice cookers to Hangzhou is not a recent decision as it was made after long and thorough deliberation since the Covid-19 pandemic, Tetsuro Homma, regional head of China & Northeast Asia at Panasonic Holdings, told Yicai Global.
The basic idea is to sell products where they are produced, Homma said. “We see that supply chains in China are resilient and we are willing to bring the advantages of Chinese supply chains into full play.”
Besides Hangzhou, Panasonic also produces electric rice cookers in India’s Chennai, Homma said, adding that the eastern Chinese city has advantages in policies on bonded areas, technologies, and supply chains while India has lower labor costs.
Another Japanese firm Daikin will start building its third production base in China in Huizhou, Guangdong province, next month. The new plant is scheduled to start production in August 2024 and achieve CNY7 billion in revenue per year.
Daikin’s rising capacity indicates that the air conditioning giant is confident about the potential of the Chinese market and its after-market demand, said Fei Teng, analyst at research platform ChinaIOL. “Users in the central A/C market, in particular, speak highly of Japanese products
Panasonic Air-e
Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions presents the “air-e”, its first stand-alone, ceiling-mounted nanoeX generator, launching this October. The product has a low power consumption and is ideal for a wide variety of applications where indoor air quality is a priority, including for installation in hotels, schools, care homes, hospitals, offices, restaurants, homes and more. The maintenance and service-free technology produces hydroxyl radicals (also known as OH radicals) – up to 4,8 trillion per second. Abundant in nature, hydroxyl radicals have the capacity to inhibit certain pollutants, viruses, and bacteria to clean and deodorize. Additionally, the air-e comes in a compact, modern, and easy to install design, weighing just 1.1kg, and is quiet at just 27 dB(A) for discreet operation. One device is suitable for spaces around 20 m2. Multiple devices can be installed in a room to ensure the air-e devices cover the entire area.
New Panasonic bread maker
Panasonic recently launched the Automatic Bread Maker (SD-R2550), an innovative home appliance for baking a variety of baked goods from the comfort of the user home, including breads, doughs, sweets, a variety of gluten-free options, and more. The Automatic Bread Maker comes equipped with innovative Panasonic technology, customizable manual settings, and 20 pre-set programs for making easy and delicious baked goods at home.
Moreover, new manual setting modes (Dough Kneading Mode and Fermentation Mode) replicate the kneading techniques of an artisan baker and can be customized to the recipe for the ideal kneading and fermentation times. A Double Temperature Sensor automatically measures the room temperature and internal temperature and adjusts how much time the dough needs to rise and rest in order to achieve a perfectly risen loaf of a bread. A unique kneading blade works with the specially placed ribs in the bread pan to deliver the best-tasting bread with the ideal texture and a Raisin & Nut Dispenser automatically funnels raisins, nuts, or seeds into the pan at the best timing for even distribution.
For the ideal loaf every time, users can select from three loaf sizes (medium, large, x-large) and three crust shades (light, medium, dark) to achieve a desired size and color combination. The Automatic Bread Maker comes equipped with a non-stick, ribbed bread pan that can hold and stretch dough without it sticking to the pan, a measuring cup/spoon, a sourdough cup/starter spoon, and a quick start guidebook that contains a variety of mouth-watering recipes and the operating instructions
Panasonic 2022 strategy for Middle East and Africa
Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa (PMMAF) restated its commitment of MEA market expansion and consumer wellbeing at its regional convention, held in Dubai, that unveiled the brand’s new global motto – “Live Your Best.”
The new slogan embodies Panasonic’s commitment to providing solutions that make life simpler, safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for the customers helping them to live their best. Meanwhile, the brand will focus on expanding its regional market share to cater to the evolving customer demands with solutions that make homes, public premises, and businesses a healthy and convenient Panasonic plans to introduce a lineup of 64 new products to support this mission in 2022.
Some of the new products with superior technologies and Japanese excellence were spotlighted at the event. Key highlights amongst many were the nanoe™ X Air conditioners which can inhibit pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and allergens. The ACs will not only cool and heat the surroundings but also clean the indoor air, offering 24-hour protection to keep living spaces fresh and clean, so consumers can benefit from a healthier life.
New Abaya Wash washing machines were positioned as distinctive hygiene systems that protect families by eliminating 99.99%* of bacteria from the clothes while washing. The brand also emphasized on nutrition and food hygiene through its latest “Nutri TaFreez” refrigerator series that feature speedy freezing technology specifically for preserving nutrients of meats stored in the freezer.
To further support health and wellbeing, Panasonic encourages home cooking for its consumers by introducing new kitchen appliances line up such as Kitchen Machine, Bread Maker and more appliances that enrich cooking experience.
Panasonic factory flooding
KUALA LUMPUR: Panasonic, the latest manufacturer to have been hit by severe flooding in the country, announced today the temporary suspension of production at its factory near here.
Panasonic said it expected the plant in Shah Alam, Selangor, to be closed for at least a week, halting its production of vacuum cleaners, ceiling fans and exhaust fans for Southeast Asian markets
Panasonic and SideChef Team Up to Offer Consumers Accessible Way to Engage with Home Cooking
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is expanding its partnership with leading culinary platform, SideChef, by introducing exclusive recipes, cooking tips, and chef secrets for SideChef Premium users.
Panasonic’s partnership with SideChef kicked off in May 2020, with the aim of making cooking at home easier and more enjoyable. Both parties’ goal is to unify the culinary community, offering meal planning, online grocery shopping, and SideChef’s curated recipes with Panasonic’s kitchen appliance technology.
Recipes are crafted by Belqui Ortiz-Millili, creator of the popular comfort food blog, Belqui’s Twist. Her easy-to-make gourmet-style recipes showcase the simplicity and diversity of the Panasonic HomeChef all-in-one microwave’s various functionalities like air-fryer, grilling and convection-baking that are made for home chefs of all kinds and skill levels.
Walter Taffarello, Appliances Group Manager, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company stated, “By partnering with SideChef, we focus on elevating Panasonic cooking experiences that evolve with the individual end-user’s personal preferences and way of life. We believe making a difference in each consumer’s lifestyle is important and that is why we create products and services that integrate seamlessly into people’s lives.”
Kevin Yu, SideChef CEO said, “It’s always been the mission of SideChef to meet cooks wherever they are – at whatever skill level, on any device, or alongside any tool that makes cooking more accessible. Partnering with Panasonic is continuing the ongoing realization of that mission. With Belqui’s recipes and Panasonic’s multi-use microwave oven we will continue to make cooking achievable (and fun!) for anyone with an appetite.”
Whether it’s your first day in the kitchen, or you are a seasoned cook looking to be inspired, SideChef Premium’s exclusive recipes in partnership with Panasonic and Belqui’s Twist are accessible for you. Sign up for SideChef Premium here. If you have Panasonic kitchen appliances, please register your product here and receive a promotional code for the SideChef premium 1-year free trial!
About SideChef
SideChef is an all-in-one home cooking platform that provides over 18,000 interactive smart recipes with dynamic recipe guidance featuring hands-free voice commands, step-by-step photos, how-to videos, and built-in timers. SideChef offers in-app meal planning, grocery delivery, and smart kitchen connectivity.
SideChef is available for free on iOS, Android, Amazon Alexa, Google Home Hub, Samsung Bixby and Portal from Facebook devices. SideChef has inspired the creation of over 2.5 million meals in home kitchens around the world. For more information, visit www.SideChef.com.
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