News
KYOCERA Reorganizes U.S. Wireless Units
Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecom Inc. streamline operations, enhance integration with wireless units in Japan
San Diego – Jan. 29, 2009 – Kyocera International Inc. (KII), the North American regional holding company for the Kyocera Group, today announced a reorganization of its two U.S.-based business units serving the mobile communications industry, Kyocera Wireless Corp. (KWC) and Kyocera Sanyo Telecom Inc. (KSTI). Each of the businesses is being streamlined and integrated more fully into Kyocera’s global mobile handset business.
Kyocera acquired the global mobile handset business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Sanyo) in April 2008. Joining Kyocera as part of the acquisition were approximately 2,000 full-time former Sanyo employees, located primarily in Japan and Malaysia. Under the new alignment global coordination of Kyocera's communication equipment product segment will take place at the company's product-line headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. KWC and KSTI will increasingly combine their efforts on sales, marketing, service, business development and customer support in the Americas.
“By reorganizing and more fully integrating the former assets of Sanyo with those of Kyocera, we will enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the combined global handset business,” said Rodney Lanthorne, president of KII and KWC. "While the recent market contraction was a factor, KWC's profit viability required restructuring. We believe the comprehensive global integration and alignment with the rest of the mobile handset group moves us in the right direction."
The reorganization will result in the elimination of approximately 360 total positions at San Diego-based KWC; Chatsworth, Calif.-based KSTI; and KWC’s subsidiary in Bangalore, India, Kyocera Wireless India (KWI). The reorganization and reduction in force is the first step in Kyocera’s global integration of its mobile handset business. It is undertaken with the purpose of improving customer satisfaction and Kyocera’s competitive position, and it will be completed by the end of Kyocera’s fiscal year on March 31.
About Kyocera Corp.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems, semiconductor packages, electronic components, and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2008, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$12.9 billion (JP¥1,290,436 million) with net income of approximately US$1.0 billion (JP¥107,244 million).
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