Canon products have been available in Vietnam since the 1980s through authorized distributors and dealers. However in the past three years, the company has established a more significant presence here, when it set up a bubble jet production facility in Hanoi, and two representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, providing jobs more than 5,000 people in the country. This is one of 18 factories of Canon in Asia outside Japan, providing 25 per cent of the world’s bubble jet printers. Canon is also a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. After three years of investment, Canon has contributed actively to the economic and social development of Vietnam.
Guided by its “Kyosei” philosophy, which focuses on “Living and working together for the common good”, Canon delivers high-performance and user-friendly products and solutions to improve efficiency both in the office and home environment. Kyosei is the primary factor which contributing Canon now to be an advantage over other opponents. Canon defines kyosei as: “All people, regardless of race, religion, culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future”.
“Our commitment to Vietnam is comprehensive and all encompassing - from manufacturing to marketing. We want Vietnamese to feel proud of what their countrymen are doing here every time they open a Canon box. We want them to be as proud as we are. Vietnam is contributing to products of worldwide standard in which we can all take pride,” said Mr. Mike Asao, Director of Canon Singapore – Vietnam Project.
In May 2002, Canon started its project in Vietnam with the manufactory of inkjet printer production. This facility is located at Thang Long Industrial Park in Hanoi and occupies 225,000 square meters of floor space. In line with Canon’s production policies, the factory in Hanoi is one of the few in the country to use Canon’s reputable cell production method, where a group of workers undertake the entire production process. And in the spirit of “kyosei”, the environmental-friendly manufacturing facility utilizes traditional Vietnamese bamboo racks, which are light, tough and economical.
According to Mr. Asao, nearly all of Canon’s products are available in Vietnam including cameras, video cameras, printers, scanners, facsimiles, multi-functional printers and copiers. Besides servicing the Vietnam market, the factory will export the inkjet printers to overseas markets worldwide. So far, Canon Vietnam is the biggest exporter in Hanoi with 53 per cent of the foreign-invested factors exporting yield. Canon’s turn-over gained more than US$200 billion.
Through over 100 customer service centers across the country, and showrooms in two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Canon implements a comprehensive service program for every customer as well as all its comprehensive dealer and distributor network to ensure the interests of users. Canon conducts numerous training programmes in products and after-sales service before selling nationwide.
“Canon has a policy of ‘no sale without service’” as Mr. Asao cites., So we have made a large effort to set up an extensive network of Canon Authorized Service Facilities and Partners in each province and city in Vietnam to delight customers always. Through these, Canon helps them to choose the right product, discourage counterfeit, especially, stop all illegal abuse of the Canon name and to protect user’s interest and our company’s reputation.
Canon see counterfeit as one of the key challenges confronting Vietnam as its economy grows and develops. “This is an issue that Canon and numerous other countries face, and that Vietnam must overcome in order to enter the WTO. Certainly Canon is apply to compete, but competing fairly should be the goal of both the private and public sector for this market in future. Now, Canon is one of the top IT companies and indexed 35th of the strongest trademarks on the world according to recent data from Business Week.
To exploit Vietnam’s market potential and contribute more to the social and economic development of Vietnam, and to bring convenience and lifestyle-comfort to people in the country. “Canon considers Vietnam as a key growth destination in Asia and we will continue to invest and expand its activities in Vietnam.,” said Mr. Asao.
Nguyen Nghi
Vietnamese
