Chronology

2000 - 2009

2000

Launches advertising campaign for AQUOS, calling it a TV for the 21st century
Establishes Sharp Microelectronics of China (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SMC) as sales base in China (name changed to Sharp Electronics [Shanghai] Co., Ltd. [SES] in 2003)
Establishes Sharp Business Systems (India) Limited (SBI) as sales base in India
Becomes world’s largest manufacturer of solar cells. Maintains this position for seven consecutive years, until 2006

2001

Releases TVs with Advanced Super View LCD
Establishes S.I. Solutions jointly with IBM Japan
Kansai Recycling Systems Co., Ltd. starts operations (established in 1999)
Establishes Sharp Telecommunications of Europe, Ltd. (STE) as mobile telecommunications development base in the UK
Establishes usability labs
Establishes Comprehensive Call Centers (Customer Assistance Centers) for handling customer inquiries
Establishes BRM (business risk management) Committee

2002

2003

Revises Sharp Business Standards and Action Guidelines; enacts Sharp Charter of Corporate Behavior
Launches Sharp Green Club (SGC)
SEMEX in Mexico begins production of AQUOS LCD TVs
Establishes consumer electronics R&D center in China
Constructs Mie Plant No. 3 to manufacture System LCDs
Changes name of small-group activities to R-CATS and starts unique activities
Establishes CSR Promotion Division
Develops reflective/transmissive Mobile Advanced Super View LCD

2004

Starts eS-SEM strategic management system
Operations begin at Kameyama Plant
Establishes Sharp Technical Components (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. as manufacturing base in China
Opens AQUOS Plaza sites in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka for the repair of large-screen AQUOS LCD TVs
Announces environmental vision of becoming a zero global warming impact company by 2010 (achieved in 2008)

2005

Takes part in Team Minus 6%, Cool Biz, and Warm Biz, three initiatives of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment
Establishes Sharp Electronics Sales (China) Co., Ltd. (SESC) as sales base in China
Launches Sharp Yonago Corporation
Establishes Sharp Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (SMTL) as manufacturing base in Thailand (reorganization of STTM)
Establishes Sharp Group Charter of Corporate Behavior and Sharp Code of Conduct
Electronic calculators recognized as IEEE Milestone

2006

Establishes Sharp Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. (SMPL) as manufacturing base in Poland
Kameyama Plant wins the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’s Prize in the 8th Japan Water Award
Teams up with NPO Weathercaster Network to begin eco-education in elementary schools in Japan

2007

Corporate Senior Executive Director Mikio Katayama named president; President Katsuhiko Machida named chairman
Establishes Sharp Electronics Russia LLC (SER) as sales base in Russia
SEEG split into three separate entities for consumer electronics, information products, and solar power systems
Establishes Toyama Plant to manufacture silicon for solar cells

2008

2009

Establishes Sharp Electronics (Vietnam) Company Limited (SVN) as sales base in Vietnam
Announces new environmental vision of becoming an Eco-Positive Company
Starts production of LCD panels at Green Front Sakai