In Tough Market, Sanyo's Soft Energy Boldly Aims for Higher Sales

摘要

Despite falling prices and the expectations of slipping global demand for small rechargeable batteries, Soft Energy Co. of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., is looking for a 10 percent increase in sales by value in FY2002. In terms of volume, Soft Energy targets an increase of 15 percent from FY2001. "We hope to increase our share of the global market from 43 percent in 2001 to nearly 50 percent," says Mitsuru Homma, Vice President of Soft Energy. Competition in this market is especially intense, Homma says. "We are aware that rechargeable batteries have the power to change mobile equipment," he says. "However, if the current situation continues, wherein the greatest emphasis is placed on price reductions, it will hamper investments for the future. We believe making profits through healthy competition is the way to expand the mobile equipment market."