Chronology
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
Ties up with El-Araby Group for air conditioning business in Egypt
Operations begin at Mihara Plant
Develops 3D LCD that can be switched between 2D and 3D formats
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
Introduces executive officer system
Establishes Health and Environment Systems Group
Sharp Corporation attains Privacy Mark certification
Announces goal of becoming a total solutions provider for solar power
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
2010
Akira Saeki, corporate senior advisor and former president, passes away
Develops high-conversion-efficiency solar cells
Starts production of solar cells at Green Front Sakai
Solar cell business recognized as IEEE Milestone
Establishes Sharp Corporation Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (SCMEX) as sales base in Mexico
Establishes Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy S.r.l. (ESSE) as independent power producer in Italy
Establishes 3 Sun S.r.l. as manufacturing base in Italy
Establishes Sharp Electronics Research & Development (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. (SERD) as design and development base in China
Acquires Recurrent Energy, LLC, a US developer of solar power plants
2011
Establishes Sharp Laboratories of China Co., Ltd. (SLC) as R&D base in China
Establishes Sharp Solar Maintenance Asia Co., Ltd. (SSMC) as maintenance company for solar power plants in Thailand
Establishes Sharp Brasil Comércio e Distribuição de Artigos Eletrônicos Ltda. (SBCD) as sales base in Brazil
Establishes Sharp (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (SCIC) as Chinese headquarters
2012
Executive Managing Officer Takashi Okuda named president, President Mikio Katayama named chairman
Establishes strategic global partnership with world’s leading EMS Hon Hai Group of Taiwan
Starts mass production of LCD panels using IGZO (oxide semiconductor) technology
Establishes Sharp Electronics (Europe) Limited (SEE) as European headquarters in the UK