A Strategic Analysis of
Canon
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Executive Summary
Canon has around 77 years of history and it is full of ups and downs, highs and lows, for which it is what we would expect in such a high innovative company. Over the years, Canon has been introducing various types of products over the years and gradually became the leader in imaging markets. When people think of buying a camera, first brand pops out in their head is “CANON”.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Look at the Business of Canon 3. Environmental factors 1. PESTEL Analysis 2. Porter’s five forces Analysis 4. Major Competitors 1. Imaging Industry 2. Business Machines Industry 5. Value Chain Analysis 6. SWOT Analysis 7. Ansoff Matrix 8. Future Strategic Direction 9. Recommendation
10. Conclusion
1. Introduction Canon’s enterprise started in a small laboratory dedicated to making high-quality cameras was set up in a simple apartment room in the Roppongi area of Tokyo. In 1934, the first prototype of Canon’s enterprise was built and was named Kwanon. The following year, in 1935, Japan 's first-ever 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, the Hansa Canon, was born. Two years later, Canon Inc was founded in 1937 in Japan.
After the first visit by the Canon’s first president, Takeshi Mitarai in America In 1950, Takeshi Mitarai believed that doing business with the world would lead to big success of Canon. In 1957, Canon set up its sole European distributor, Canon Europa, in Geneva, Switzerland. By 1967 exports already topped 50% of the company 's total sales. Few years later, Canon made a big step forward and to expand its market in Asia, Canon Hong Kong Company Limited (CHK) was then established and responsible for sales, marketing and service of all Canon products in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Philippines and Mongolia. Now,
References: 1. Ansoff, H.I. (1957), Strategies for diversification, Harvard Business Review, September-October, 2. Day, G.S. (1994), "The capabilities of market-driven organisations", 3. Hill, C.W.L., Deeds, D.L. (1996), "The importance of industry structure for the determination of firm profitability: a neo-Austrian perspective", 4. Porter, M.E. (1991), "Towards a dynamic theory of strategy" 5. Richard Lynch 5th Edition, Strategic Management 6. www.canon.com 7. www.canon.com.cn 8. www.canon.com.hk 9. http://www.canon.com/ir/annual/2009/report2009.pdf