Mission statement

"To import, distribute and market a comprehensive range of top quality and affordable consumer, industrial and business electronic products that ease, enrich and enhance the lives of people while providing growth and wealth creation for all stakeholders."

 Corporate profile

The history of the Panasonic brand in South Africa dates back to 1960, when Barlows Manufacturing signed an agreement with Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (“MEI”) of Japan in terms of which National and Panasonic-branded goods were imported to and distributed on the local market through Barlow Appliance Company. National Panasonic Company – NPC (Electronics) Limited – was established as a subsidiary of Barlows Manufacturing in 1980 and assumed responsibility for the exclusive importation and distribution of MEI’s National, Panasonic and Technics branded consumer and business electronic products throughout South Africa. From the outset, the business exceeded expectations by yielding a turnover of over R40 million for its first year of trading.

In 1993, Barlow Rand unbundled and ownership of NPC (Electronics) Limited passed to industrial holdings group, Reunert Limited (“Reunert), where it became a division of Reunert Consumer and Commercial Holdings (“RCCH”). Today synonymous with the Panasonic brand, NPC (Electronics) Limited holds a dominant position in the local electronics market and boasts an annual turnover in excess of R1 billion.

The corporate culture at NPC (Electronics) Limited is underpinned by a striving for excellence in every sphere of operation and reinforced by an organisational infrastructure that reflects the diverse product categories in which Panasonic is represented.  These include:

Marketing and distribution channels

Marketing is one of the cornerstones of NPC (Electronics) Limited's success. The company consistently markets a comprehensive range of products, primarily under the Panasonic brand.

The company’s primary route to market is via negotiated listings of these products through major chain stores, discounters, franchises, independent buying groups and specialized dealers. Many successful joint promotions have been held with various outlets over a period of more than 20 years, and have collectively contributed to the continued growth of the business.

A large proportion of the office automation and telecom franchises trade under the PBS brand and a number of these business are wholly owned subsidiaries under Pansolutions (Proprietary) Limited, a separate division of RCCH.

By optimising administration and distribution processes, NPC (Electronics) Limited delivers outstanding value for money, total customer service and total satisfaction at all times.  A dedicated Panasonic Customer Support Centre handles customer enquiries with great efficiency while simultaneously fulfilling a vital role in managing and nurturing client relationships.

Sustainable development

NPC (Electronics) Limited gives equal cognizance to good corporate citizenship, including adherence to governance principles, employment equity and skills development legislation, and black economic empowerment.

As a socially responsible corporate citizen, the company actively supports organisations that benefit children from disadvantaged communities. Emphasis is placed on providing Panasonic-branded products that will improve the quality of life among the less privileged.

Manufacturing capabilities

RC&C Manufacturing Company, a separate division of RCCH, began operating as Panasonic Manufacturing Company in 1978 and initially produced an extensive list of National- and Panasonic-branded products under licence from Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited of Japan (“MEI”), ranging from car audio products and hi-fi systems, through televisions and decoders, to air-conditioner units. By the early 1990's the South African economic and political environment was beginning to change and the period of high import duties and heavy sanctions was coming to an end. This resulted in the local manufacture of National and Panasonic products becoming unviable.

A strategic decision to diversify RC&C Manufacturing’s product- and customer-base, taken in 2001, has met with huge success. Today, RC&C Manufacturing has secured additional business in high volume manufacture and/or assembly of professional electronic and electromechanical products, including automated printed circuit board assemblies, mechanical assembly and manufacturing, final product assembly, white goods manufacturing and alternative home brand televisions.

The company also continues to manufacture a wide range of Panasonic-branded televisions (round screen, flat screen, plasma, LCD) under license to MEI.

Strategic partners

NPC (Electronics) Limited is backed by two very powerful business partners:

·                Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd (“MEI”), which is a formidable force in Japan and the 45th largest company in the world. MEI is driven by a Basic Management Objective, formulated in 1929 by the company's founder, Konosuke Matsushita, which reads "Recognising our responsibilities as industrialists, we will devote ourselves to the progress and development of society and the well-being of people through our business activities, thereby enhancing the quality of life throughout the world."

·                MEI currently has operations in 70 countries with over 290 000 employees around the world, and manufactures electronic products in more than 50 countries. MEI’s National, Panasonic and Technics brands are market leaders in every product category represented – from consumer electronics to office automation, component manufacture to navigation and telecommunications. MEI is also a clear leader in the digital technology race, constantly bringing progressive new products to the market.

·                Reunert Limited (“Reunert”), which is listed in the electronics and electrical sector of the JSE Securities Exchange and manages a number of businesses focused on electronics and low-voltage electrical engineering. The company was established by pioneers Theodore Reunert and Otto Lenz in 1888 and has since played a major role in the South African economy and its products are leaders in the various markets they serve.

Empowerment Policies

NPC (Electronics) Limited has embraced the South African government's employment equity initiatives and it is envisaged that the company will have a fair and equal distribution of all designated population groups within the company by 2007.

The company is also committed to the development of skills in South Africa. As part of the Sector Educational Training Association's (“SETA”) number 12 group, the company focuses its training initiatives in the information systems, electronics and telecommunications sectors.

Black Economic Empowerment (“BEE”) is actively supported, both at franchise/ distribution network level and in local procurement activities. Initiatives include:

·                NPC (Electronics) Limited’s first empowerment franchise, Office Solutions Empowerment Company (“OSEC”), which was appointed to distribute Panasonic products in 1999 and which operates optimally and profitably;

·                Approved distributor Zimele Broadcasting Services, which has been instrumental in procuring a lucrative contract with the SABC for the supply of DVCPRO broadcasting equipment; and

·                The consumer service franchise in Durban, a private operation that has grown strongly and which has now been extended to Port Elizabeth.

Social Responsibility

As a socially responsible corporate citizen, NPC (Electronics) Limited actively supports organisations that benefit children from disadvantaged communities. Initiatives include:

·                The Twilight Children project, which helps street children become meaningful members of society by ensuring they are cared for and educated. NPC (Electronics) Limited has supported the project since 1994 by providing appropriate products, funding educational interventions, and initiating a mentorship programme that has enabled two youngsters achieve a tertiary education that has rendered them employable.

·                CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa.

·                Mhlontlo Senior Secondary School in Mount Fletcher, Transkei, which received a R1 million donation from MEI and Reunert to fund an extensive upgrade and restoration project as well as the donation of appropriate Panasonic products.

·                Sponsorship of a group of ten students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are enrolled at Central Johannesburg College (five in marketing and sales, five in technical trade). The sponsorship covers their tuition fees, books and a weekly stipend, as well as opportunities to obtain practical experience by working at Panasonic during the college vacation periods.