Moving into its centenary year, global electronics giant Sharp today announced plans to significantly increase its investment and market presence across emerging markets.
The company will have a renewed focus on more than 80 countries that make up the Middle East, Africa and CIS region, a statement said.
The company has appointed Hiroshi Sasaoka, 54, as the new chairman, Sharp Middle East, Africa & CIS, signalling its intent to support this new strategy with the best leadership talent within the company, the statement said.
Sasaoka brings with him extensive experience of spearheading expansions in the UK and Europe for Sharp Corporation, in addition to Middle East familiarity gained from the start of his time with the corporation where he was involved in the sales division for the MEA region, it said.
Sasaoka will lead the operations from Sharp Middle East’s headquarters in Jebel Ali, with Dubai acting as the gateway to Sharp’s business in the region.
“The Middle East, Africa and CIS consumer electronics market has significant market potential with attractive growth rates and consumer appetite for world class products. We believe this is an opportune time to expand and invest in the region with an increased product line up and a greater level of support,” said Sasaoka said.
“2012 is our centenary, and after 100 years of innovation we wish to start a new chapter by embarking on our next phase of growth by demonstrating our commitment to such a vibrant region. We have built a very strong operation in the region and we are now planning for aggressive growth.”
The previous structure saw the Middle East, Africa and CIS business as a subsidiary, of which there are 26 within the Sharp Corporation structure. The new investment transforms the subsidiary into a region, joining six others covering such large geographical areas, leading to staff increases offering greater support for both distributors and customers in addition to an expanded product portfolio for the region.
Customers will quickly see an impact from the expansion in terms of these new products. The newest practical innovations from the company’s product line-up will be introduced as part of the investment.
The products will focus on delivering value through practicality and usefulness in everyday life, such as large screen home entertainment solutions, uniquely designed home appliances and health-&-environment products related to air, water and beauty. These will offer the Middle East market a new level of service and value for customers, demonstrating the commitment Sharp has in developing the region, the statement said.
The consumer technology market in the expanded region is showing strong growth potential, with almost 30 per cent of the world’s population expected to be in the living in region by 2020. In this scenario, demand for consumer goods that offer exceptional value and quality will increase, it said.
“Sharp Middle East has undergone sustained double digit growth in the past few years, and it is exciting to be taking Sharp into a period of even further development. The appointment of Mr Hiroshi Sasaoka to head the expansion as we celebrate 100 years is an indication of where we want to take the Consumer Electronics Division in the future,” said Fumio Yamaguchi, managing director of Sharp Middle East.
“The unique and high-value products that are specifically designed to bring new levels of value to customers will present a new dimension to what we can offer. The products, ranging from large screen home entertainment solutions to modern home and kitchen appliances are packed with innovative attention to details and design evolutions that are coming to the region for the first time thanks to our expansion.”
