Panasonic Marks 50th Anniversary In U.S.

TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 9/21/2009

Secaucus, N.J. - Panasonic Corp. of North America celebrated its 50th anniversary in the U.S. last week.

The milestone was marked with a series of employee events at its national headquarters in New Jersey, and in its sales offices, R&D labs, factories, service and call centers, warehouses and other business locations around the country, the company said.

Pansonic A group shot of Panasonic employees at its headquarters in Secaucus, N.J., last weekPanasonic was honored with an official proclamation from New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Special company events included the raising of a commemorative flag over each Panasonic facility, the planting of a tree, and a focus on community service activities and the company's long-standing commitment to protecting the environment, the company said.

Panasonic's first U.S. employee, Ray Gates - who later became president of Panasonic Company - and Richard Kraft, Panasonic Corp. of North America's first U.S. president, addressed employees at ceremonies here.

Panasonic Corp. of North America was founded in 1959 in New York City and in 1976 moved to Secaucus, N.J. - where the company's corporate headquarters campus is now located. Today, Panasonic has more than 5,000 employees in the U.S., with primary facilities in Secaucus, N.J. Panasonic also employs about 6,500 in Canada and Mexico.

"The occasion of our 50th anniversary in the U.S. is a time to look both ahead to a promising future, but also a time to reflect on our past and how we reached this milestone," said Yoshi Yamada, CEO and chairman, Panasonic Corp. of North America.