2.0 Company Profile: Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad (PMMA)

 Located: Shah Alam

Best known by its Panasonic band name, Group & Global Headquarters, Panasonic Corporation based in Osaka, Japan is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs.

In Malaysia, Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PM) has a long standing presence for more than 30 years since it was first established on 29 March 1976 by the name of Matsushita Sales & Service Sdn Bhd (MASCO) with all home appliances and audio visual products under National brand. In 1992, MASCO was renamed National Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd (NPM) promoting National brand for home appliances and Panasonic brand for audio visuals and in the same year NPM achieved a new milestone of breakthrough 1st billion sales. From 1 October 2003, as a global brand unification movement of Panasonic worldwide, NPM was officially called Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PM) promoting one brand Panasonic for all products range.

Panasonic Malaysia is a company engaged in the business of sales, service and marketing for the Panasonic brand of electrical and electronic consumer and business solutions. Through their wholly owned subsidiary, Panasonic Systems Engineering (PSE) they offer professional expertise in integrating system solutions from design, supply, installation, training and maintenance of professional electrical and electronic equipments and products.

PMMA started in early 1966 and it was the first factory in the newly-opened industrial site. With the help of 15 pioneer workers mainly from Klang and 20 Japanese engineers, PMMA produced it first product - dry cell batteries, black and white television sets, electric fans and later, refrigerators.

2.1 What is ISO 9001:2008

ISO 9001:2008 has been developed in order to introduce clarifications to the existing requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and to improve compatibility with ISO 14001:2004. ISO 9001:2008 does not introduce additional requirements nor does it change the intent of the ISO 9001:2000 standard.

No new requirements were introduced in ISO 9001:2008 edition but, in order to benefit from the clarifications of ISO 9001:2008, users of the former version will need to take into consideration whether the clarifications introduced have an impact on their current interpretation of ISO 9001:2000, as changes may be necessary to their QMS.

ISO 9001:2008 is intended to be generic and applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and product category.  It is recognized, however, that not all the requirements of this standard will necessarily be relevant to all organizations. Under certain circumstances, an organization may consider the exclusion of the application of some requirements of ISO 9001:2008 from its QMS. ISO 9001:2008 makes allowance for such situations.

 The concept of exclusions

All requirements of this International Standard are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and product provided.

Where any requirements of this International Standard cannot be applied due to the nature of an organization and its product, this can be considered for exclusion.

Where exclusions are made, claims of conformity to this International Standard are not acceptable unless these exclusions are limited to requirements within clause 7, and such exclusions do not affect the organization's ability, or responsibility, to provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements."

Therefore, an organization should consider whether all the requirements of the standard are relevant to its activities, based on the nature of the organization itself, its products, and the processes it uses to meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements. In addition, the organization should take into account any commitments it has made in its quality policy and objectives and how these could affect the need to undertake particular realization processes. All of these can affect the scope of the organization’s QMS.

Therefore, an organization should consider whether all the requirements of the standard are relevant to its activities, based on the nature of the organization itself, its products, and the processes it uses to meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements. In addition, the organization should take into account any commitments it has made in its quality policy and objectives and how these could affect the need to undertake particular realization processes. All of these can affect the scope of the organization’s QMS. Since 1995, PMMA certified with MS ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems Certification by SIRIM.

What is ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses. It prescribes controls for those activities that have an effect on the environment. These include the use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption.

Implementing an Environmental Management System is a systematic way to discover and control the effects your company has on the environment. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity. These are achieved by detecting ways to minimise waste and dispose of it more effectively and by learning how to use energy more efficiently. It verifies compliance with current legislation and makes insurance cover more accessible.

Since 1996, all Panasonic manufacturing plants worldwide-including the factory in Kobe, Japan where Tough book mobile computers are made-have achieved ISO 14001 registration and implemented the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The Kobe factory has also been certified for ISO 9001, an international standard for quality management systems that enhance product quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

The ISO 14001 international standard established a systematic approach that organizations can use to minimize or prevent environmental impacts and risks. This approach, known as an Environmental Management System or EMS, requires the organization to establish an environmental control policy, educate employees about procedures and continually monitor environmental performance.

2.2 Product Related to RoHS Directive and its Market

Example Product which Compliance to RoHS

1)               Hygienia Dish Dryer

 Inhibits Bacteria and Fungus

     Quick drying at temperature 70˚C to effectively eliminate bacteria - E-Coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the main bacteria that cause of illness such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, food poisoning, skin infection.

 Practical and Hygienic

Stainless steel rack that is rust free and easy cleaning.

 Compliance with RoHS free material*

2)      Rice Cooker

Menus available

·         Ability to cook : White/brown rice, nasi lemak, sushi, porridge, slow cook, quick cook, steam

·         Compliance with RoHS free material*

*All the materials used are free from hazardous substance such as Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE).