Panasonic, a household brand by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is strengthening its operations in the region. The company has integrated the factory automation division of Panasonic Industry Asia Pte Ltd, which is responsible for Asian sales, with the development and manufacturing unit Panasonic Factory Solutions Singapore as part of its new growth strategy.

Known as Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific (PFSAP), the newly merged company is responsible for activities such as development, manufacturing, sales and services to provide total solutions to customers in the region as well as the Middle East.

PFSAP will also produce the company's high-speed modular Surface Mount Technology machine, CM602, which was previously manufactured only in Japan. This transfer is expected to enable the company to better respond to customers in emerging Asian markets such as Vietnam and India, as well as improve the sales bottom line of PFSAP by 50 per cent. To support the product transfer and regional business role, PFSAP will also increase its workforce strength from 320 to 400 over the next three years.