Sanyo: washing machines and global symbiosis

Sanyo Electric, the sprawling Japanese electronics conglomerate, has its fingers in just about everything. They make TVs and solar batteries and cogeneration systems and air conditioners and digital cameras and phones and semiconductors. They’ll install things for you or deliver them for you or build you a house or send you temporary workers or even put up your folks in one of their nursing homes. Therer are 332 Sanyo companies around the world.

But Sanyo is in trouble. They managed to lose almost $2 billion in 2004, and have a staggering $10 billion mountain of debt.

Now Sanyo has unleashed an astonishing transformation. They’ve elevated a woman—Tomoyo Nonaka—to the post of CEO, with the founder’s grandson relegated to mere President and COO. Nonaka is the most senior woman in the Japanese business world by far, a Japanese Carly Fiorina who still has her job.

And there’s definitely a woman’s hand visible in the visionary new plan that Sanyo announced. There were the obvious things, such as cutting debt, selling stuff, shuttering factories, firing people, cutting costs. What’s more interesting is the new Sanyo vision: Think GAIA, becoming a “company to make the earth rejoice”. “living in global symbiosis”, “leaving a beautiful earth for the children of the future.”

Make fun if you will, but this is a vision of startling breadth. Now it simply remains to be seen how, or if, the company can actually bring this vision to bear to reinvigorate and revitalize its slumping businesses.

There’s more to the vision. Sanyo has grouped its competencies and technologies into broad areas, which it calls “programs”, with catchy names:

  • Blue Planet: address global environmental problems
  • Genesis III: develop sustainable clean energy society
  • Harmonious Society: create a rich society overflowing with love
  • Product Circulation: move to a zero-emissions, completely recycled, undamaging product life cycle

Finally, there’s an actual implementation plan, dubbed “Sanyo Evolution Project”, with three parts. The first, known as “Business Portfolio Evolution Plan”, calls for Sanyo to completely review and revamp its business portfolio, focusing on CO2 compressor technology, solar cells, and home appliances, while building five new “solution” areas:

1. Symbiosis and ecosystem solutions
2. Recyclable environmental solutions
3. Global energy solutions

4. New-generation commuter solutions
5. Family relationship solutions
6. LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) lifestyle solutions

They’ll also refocus R&D strongly based on the new vision. They’ll reorganize their network to lessen product and geographic dependencies.

The second part of the implementation plan is called the “Corporate DNA Evolution Plan”, designed to revolutionize the corporate culture, organization, and management processes. They’ll strengthen the corporate identity and establish a global headquarters with clout. The third part consists of the restructuring steps mentioned at the top of this post.

Sanyo has come a long way since Iue Toshio (ja.wikipedia.org) started making bicycle headlights back in 1947 in Osaka. We certainly wish them well in what they are calling their “Third Beginning”.

19 Responses to “Sanyo: washing machines and global symbiosis”

  1. Alvarez Hector Says:

    Dear Sirs:
    I am looking for a service manual for the Sanyo washig machine model ASW-40MT, if possible send me this information.
    Thank you

  2. Simin Denizci Says:

    I am looking for a service Sanyo offers, we have a very old washing machine …..in New Jersey area, my email address is simindenizci@hotmail.com

  3. joe Says:

    Dear Sir,

    My Sanyo asw 40mt washing machine has a problem in controlling water. It can’t stop the water tap automatilly while it’s washing the chothes. Somebody has to close the water tap to protect the overleaking. I was wandering if you could possibly give some suggestion for troubleshooting. I’m looking forward to hear from u.

    Best regarding,
    joe

  4. J.P.Singh Says:

    Dear Sir,
    My Sanyo Washing Machine Model no. ASW-80SRTF is having problem in draining the water and hence clothe do not get proper spin dry.
    The drain inlet is few inches above the base of the machine.
    Is there a possibility to put a pump at drain?

  5. gerald Says:

    i want to upgrade my old SanyoASW33MP,
    any suggestions, thank you

  6. Samanthi Says:

    Hi

    I’m from Sri Lanka.
    I am looking for an instruction manual foe the washing machine model ASW-45 A1 (HS)

    I have the above but the buttons are in Japanesa and also I find it difficult to control it the wauy i want.

    HOpe you can help me.

    Samanthi Kariyawasam
    30 Vijithapura
    Talangama South
    Battaramulla
    Sri Lanka
    94 11 2787849

  7. Manuel Says:

    Manual de despiece Sanyo asw45.

    Gracias

  8. Juan Says:

    Yo tambien necesito el manual de servicio de la placa de Sanyo ASW-40MT, me volo un transistor de la placa y no se que denomicacion tiene. Gracias.

  9. Pietro Cocuzza Says:

    Dear Sirs,
    I am looking for an instruction manual in english for the washing machine model SW-909UT. My machine in chinese and i can’t understand the panel control.
    Thank you

  10. Numenware, a blog about neurotheology » Blog Archive » Thanks for your comments Says:

    […] it got picked up by Mind Hacks, nor on the article about dried squid entrails. My post about Sanyo: washing machines and global symbiosis yielded a request for a user’s manual for one of their washing […]

  11. Ivon Says:

    Hi,

    My washing machine Sanyo ASW-50 H2 has buttons in Japanese language. Grateful if you could send Operating Instructions in English.

    Thank you,

    Ivon Dassanayake
    892/1, Ethul Kotte
    Kotte
    Sri Lanka
    94 112862768

  12. khan Says:

    My washing machine sanyo Asw -d80 (hs) which is in japanes so Please healp me to traslanation in English

  13. rehan Says:

    my sanyo washing machine model is ASW-42J(TB). Problem is clothes are not properly washed. Please send me manual in english.

  14. KHAMAR Says:

    can u send manual for ASW-80SRTF ?

    i dont know how it will work?
    what is procedure to working condition?
    can u please…

    thanks

  15. KHAMAR Says:

    Dear Sir,
    My Sanyo Washing Machine Model no. ASW-80SRTF is having problem in draining the water and hence clothe do not get proper spin dry.
    The drain inlet is few inches above the base of the machine.

    same problum?

    can u send english manual please

  16. Decky Law Chee Keong Says:

    What mean of (Ed)????? Meachine screen show, can not operate.

  17. Joshua Says:

    I need the user’s manual of Sanyo ASW-608 (W). Please send to my email… Thank you..

  18. Nicky Says:

    I have just moved and inherited a sanyo 80 ASW S1t, I need an instruction manual, I cant see if it has a delicate silk/wool wash

  19. SANJAY JOSHI Says:

    SW-1050XTC, I want Service Manual for this Washing Machine. I am from Mumbai, From where I will get Part in Mumbai ?

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