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Matsushita vs. Sony

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Case Study #2

The main differences between Matsushita and Sony’s products are that, Matsushita product line is more involved in the household appliances market as it is the world leader in this category, while Sony strives to be the globe’s technological leader and has a product line that is driven by advanced consumer electronics. “While companies such as Matsushita concentrates on being customer intimate, Sony has differentiated itself by focusing on product leadership.” Matsushita is the largest home appliances and household equipment (HAHE) producer in the world. Some of Matsushita’s products include: microwave ovens, refrigerators, irons, fax machines, air compressors, automatic washers and dryers, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, dishwashers, digital cameras, DVD players, TVs, telephones, cell phones, computers, and printers. “Matsushita possesses world-class brand names, cutting-edge techniques, perception of high quality, powerful promotion campaigns, and affluent capital.” Sony has the competitive advantage when it comes to developing new technology and products in the consumer electronics market. “Sony has consistently been successful at commercializing new technologies into innovative products such as the transistor radio, tape recorder, Beta-Max video recorder, CD, Walkman, minidisk, DVD, and recently the digital camera and camcorder.”

In 2001, Matsushita was in need of rebuilding its supply chain, so managing director Yukio Shohtoku, led Matsushita’s “Eradicating and Creating” project. Shohtoku’s goal is that this supply chain would make full use of China’s competitive advantages. The four fundamental changes in Matsushita’s new supply chain include: Move manufacturing activities to China, Establish the new “brain” in China, Localize material supplies, and Stretch the distribution link. Matsushita’s objective in moving manufacturing

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