Canon looks to expand via M&A and Innovation

A interview with Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai on Asia Nikkei review had some interesting quotes about Canon in general however nothing really camera specific as Canon looks to expand further into medical and factory / automation.

Q: How do you see earnings performing for the current fiscal year ending December 2018?

A: 2017 was a strong year for cameras, office equipment and other existing businesses. With the addition of new business segments like health care and industrial equipment, we have evidently boosted both sales and profit.

The business climate will improve further in 2018, and we aim to lift sales and profit for a second consecutive year.

I found it fascinating to listen to the internet chatter that for some reason thinks that Canon only makes cameras, and thus all comments are tailored to a specific camera model that someone wants Canon to make.

This article like many over the past 2-3 years identify that Canon is moving beyond being a camera and printer company and it's sits and energies may not be to technologies we hold near and dear.

Q: Tell us about upcoming mergers and acquisitions.

A: In particular, we will implement M&As that will further strengthen areas where we've already made acquisitions. Future purchases will supplement the health care, security camera and industrial equipment segments, with no bias toward either hardware or software.

We will set aside 300 billion yen to 400 billion yen for this purpose through 2020.