KUALA LUMPUR – It is not often a nearly century-old company can make a claim to be one of its industry’s leaders.
Yet, Fujifilm has every right to make that claim, as since its foundation in 1934, the multinational conglomerate has grown to be a giant in multiple industries.
The average Malaysian would know Fujifilm as a photography company, but in truth, the company’s achievements have taken many other industries by storm.
So, what could possibly explain Fujifilm’s longevity and success? For that, we spoke to Kensuke Aragane, Fujifilm Malaysia’s managing director.
“During the past 90 years,” he said, “we have faced many difficulties, including financial crises. Ultimately, we have always survived through our innovations in technology.”
Fujifilm’s dedication to push forward the boundaries of existing technology has always given the company an edge over its competitors.
Additionally, Fujifilm is willing to step out of its comfort zone, with Aragane emphasising that the company has recently been working hard on its healthcare divisions.
“The unique selling point of our healthcare technology is that it is always built on our existing knowledge of photography technology.”
Any breakthroughs in the photography industry, like nanotechnology, is utilised by Fujifilm to create products that could potentially be game changers in the global market.
For that, said Aragane, in the fiscal year of 2022, Fujifilm’s healthcare business became the company’s major portfolio.
Aragane added that the healthcare division of Fujifilm is likely to keep expanding in terms of its products and services.
“The meaning of ‘healthcare’ is becoming wider and wider.”
That said, Fujifilm has not forgotten its photo-imaging roots and the company continues to be a leader in that field as well.
“Our strategy to maintain our position in the market is to ensure that the cash earnings from our photo-imaging goes to converting our portfolios.”
This transition of focus is Fujifilm’s attempt to keep competitive in a market which is seeing more changes by the day.
Even in Malaysia, said Aragane, the major source of revenue for Fujifilm is the sale of healthcare products.
“I can say right now that the biggest contributor has to be the healthcare segment,” he said, adding that nearly 40% of the company’s Malaysian revenue was derived from the healthcare division.
That said, Aragane asserted that the other segments of Fujifilm’s business are also doing their part in contributing to the company’s overall profits.
It should not be surprising that healthcare is the rising star and golden child of Fujifilm, with more potential to be tapped.
Despite this transition towards the medical line, Aragane said he believes that Fujifilm’s camera and photo-printing business still have a place in the company’s plans.
Fujifilm’s change of portfolio is simply a calculated measure to diversify assets and to remain competitive in the market.
“Our strategy is not only to focus on healthcare,” he said, adding that Fujifilm’s business will be expanded to create even more segments in the future.
On a local front, Fujifilm has recently relocated to its new office in Menara CelcomDigi in Petaling Jaya, placing it ever closer to Malaysia’s beating heart of commerce and industry.
The move was necessary, said Aragane, as the company’s previous location in Glenmarie, Shah Alam could no longer accommodate the growing company.
That said, the main reason for the move is apparently to raise employee engagement.
“My policy is that a highly engaged employee will put in a better performance,” said Aragane.
A conducive working environment allows employees to perform their best and this helps keep Fujifilm as a sustainable workplace.
“In this company, the most important asset is its workers.”
The new office also has a showroom where potential Fujifilm customers can inspect products on sale and make enquiries and purchases.
Speaking of products, Fujifilm’s latest camera just launched on February 20; this being the X100VI.
Available in Malaysian markets from this March, this is the latest product of the X100 Series which first took off in 2011.
Reception has been nothing short of positive, with numbers proving this to be the case.
“The current pre-order amounts indicate a good response from the market,” said Aragane.
A high-end compact digital camera, the X100VI comes with a back-illuminated 40.2MP sensor as well as a state-of-the-art processor.
“Even though this is a very small and compact digital camera, it has a built-in image stabiliser. This is the key feature of this camera.” – March 30, 2024