Newsroom

During the trade show ‘Construction & Shipping Industry’ held in Gorinchem, The Netherlands, (May 28-30) Alphatron Marine BV from Rotterdam celebrated a special milestone. On the occasion of the sale of the 3.500th JRC/Alphatron river radar, Mr. Daikichi Kakuta, Deputy General Manager at JRC Europe and Mr. Luuk Vroombout, CEO Alphatron Marine, presented an award to the Arends family, owner of the pusher tug ‘Gemma’.

Within 15 years after the introduction of the first river radar by the JRC/Alphatron-combination in 1999, the durableness of both the radar and the cooperation between the companies is a proven fact. The red-striped radars are very well represented and recognizable throughout all of the European inland waterways.

As both JRC and Alphatron have the characteristics ‘progressive’ and ‘innovative’ in their DNA, the present river radar generation is a state of the art product, equipped with features such as photoshot®, coupling and integration of an AIS system and a very clear radar image. Last but not least, the JMA-610 offers excellent value for money.

Set sail to the JRC – ProNav stand where we will show several exciting new products. We will show our 26-inch Multi Function Display (MFD), which will redefine the standard we know today. Experience first hand our all-new MMI contributing to a whole new level of operation, ergonomics and user friendliness.

Also shown is the JMA-5372-SA solid state S-band radar, representing a new generation by displaying targets with digital accuracy while transmitting at just 1/100th of the power of a conventional radar.

Next up will be our new generation of 4.5-inch common display series, featuring an aesthetic and harmonized design. This compact and cost-effective solution compliments the 5.7-inch series already in the market. The common display series are available as NMEA repeater, (D)GPS, speed log, BNWAS and AIS.

JRC will show its second generation JUE-251 FleetBroadband system, which is compactly designed, easy to install and puts high-speed connectivity right at your fingertips.

On show is our new JUE-87 Inmarsat C, with an all-in-one messaging unit, a completely new designed antenna, extensive interfacing capability and introducing a whole new set of accessories that compliment our unified design approach.

Meet us at stand B03-08.
 

TOKYO, Japan—At the meeting of September 20, 2012, the Board of Directors of Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) approved a resolution to implement “business structural reform aimed at renewed growth.” Such reforms are not merely measures for improving earnings over the near term; rather, they are strategic and drastic reforms that will become the foundation for renewed growth in the future. In order to achieve major progress going forward, we will implement the reforms over the next three years until the 100th anniversary of the Company’s founding.

I. Overview of Business Structural Reforms
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, the Company posted financial losses. On the surface, these could be blamed on delays in public works projects due to natural disasters and the progressive appreciation of the yen. However, the fundamental and critical issue is that we have been slow to address various dramatic socio-economic changes, characterized by such factors as the ongoing globalization of business, contraction of the Japanese economy, and expansion of newly emerging markets, centered on Asia. Our revenues are on a long-term downtrend as a result. To achieve major steps forward in such an operating environment, we must undertake reforms of our global business structure covering all aspects of our operations—marketing, product development, and production—targeting emerging nations, especially in Southeast Asia where growth has been remarkable. Not limited to JRC, the aforementioned reforms are based on a growth strategy shared by the three electronics companies under the umbrella of Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.: JRC, Nagano Japan Radio Co., Ltd., and Ueda Japan Radio Co., Ltd. Through business reorganization and other measures, we plan to strengthen the operational foundation of the entire JRC Group.

II. Summary of Business Structural Reforms
The business structural reforms will encompass two initiatives; the implementation of growth strategy and the cost structure reform on a global level.

Implementation of growth strategy
By implementing the strategies described below, we are targeting consolidated net sales of ¥140 billion and an operating margin of 8% or higher by the year ending March 2018.

(1) Basic policies of growth strategy
(a) Expand overseas business: Newly emerging economies, especially in Southeast Asia, continue to enjoy high levels of growth, but maintaining the momentum will require establishment of social infrastructure. One aspect common to Southeast Asian countries is the advent of numerous natural disasters, and establishing disaster-prevention infrastructure is particularly urgent. Moreover, those nations have very long coastlines relative to their geographical areas, which highlights the importance of harbor and coastal surveillance systems. The JRC Group’s solutions business, which is its largest segment, has mainly targeted Japan’s public sector. By forming cooperative ties with local Southeast Asian companies, however, we plan to extensively globalize this business — by expanding and upgrading our sales and service network, for example—so that its overseas sales reach parity with domestic sales. In the marine electronics equipment segment as well, we will discard conventional norms and complement our local production activities by forming capital and technical alliances with overseas manufacturers and agents. Through such collaborations, we will seek to strengthen our competitive edge and broaden our overseas business.
(b) Expand "smart" businesses: As a pioneer of radio communications in Japan, JRC is committed to helping realize the “smart” society that is needed in these times. To this end, we will deploy innovative information and communications technologies, sensor technologies, and other strengths to build various infrastructure, such as energy saving marine and terrestrial communications and safe passage support equipment and systems, “smart” disaster-prevention systems that are resilient to major disasters, and systems that improve the energy efficiency of electric power. In these ways, we will facilitate the transformation into a “smart” society and achieve business growth for our company.

(2) Growth strategy implementation details
(a) Focusing on growth markets, especially in Asia, we will pursue rigorous globalization of production and sales. In the area of sales, we will strengthen competitiveness by expanding our network of overseas agents and forming alliances with new partners.
(b) In the domains of environment and energy, we will develop technologies aimed particularly at realizing a smart society and concentrating managerial resources on business cultivation.
(c) Instead of relying solely on our own technologies, we will expedite business growth through M&As and technical alliances.
(d) Demonstrating technological synergies with Nisshinbo Holdings and its subsidiaries, we will work to swiftly foster new growth businesses.

Cost structure reform on a global level
There is significant duplication of production facilities and personnel across the aforementioned three electronics companies (JRC, Nagano Japan Radio, and Ueda Japan Radio). This, compounded with duplication in purchasing and a complex distribution system, is the major reason for our increasing costs. The Mitaka Plant (Mitaka City, Tokyo), for example, has excessive production management personnel and an aging workforce. Moreover, its equipment is deteriorating and its cost structure is high. By implementing the measures described below, we plan to reform the cost structure not only of production but also of product design, procurement, and distribution. In addition to reforming the cost structure, we will target major cost reductions by creating a framework in which products are made and sold in optical locations at the global level.

(a) Transfer business from Mitaka Plant: We will shift the functions of the Mitaka Plant to Nagano Japan Radio, Ueda Japan Radio, and overseas subsidiaries. We will also shift technological and peripheral functions to new regions based on considerations of appropriate new production and sales sites, and we will build a technological center offering a state-of-the-art product development environment. In these and other ways, we will reinforce our technological development capabilities in order to win against global competition. The Mitaka Plant will ultimately be closed.
(b) Establishment of overseas production bases: We will significantly boost our production capacity by forming a capital alliance with Nagano Japan Radio’s overseas subsidiary (based in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China). We will also begin establishing new production bases in Southeast Asia.
(c) Purchasing centralization and distribution reforms: We will pursue cost reductions by centralizing the purchasing function of the three electronics companies, expanding and upgrading overseas parts procurement, and reassessing the distribution system.
(d) Reduction of workforce: In order to build an optimal personnel system in line with our structural reforms, we will reduce the number of JRC employees by around 650 through a voluntary retirement incentive scheme (current workforce is around 2,900).
(e) Sale of Mitaka Plant and Saitama Plant properties: The relocation of the production, technological, and peripheral functions will cause the Mitaka Plant property to become vacant. We will consider selling that property and making effective use of the funds thus generated to implement business structural reforms and foster new businesses. We will also consider selling the Saitama Plant property, which will become vacant following the relocation of the SAW* device business to New Japan Radio Co., Ltd.

III. Future Outlook
Specific details about the reorganization of production bases and the voluntary retirement incentive system, as well as timeframes, are still being formulated. We will make announcements when such details are confirmed. The expected impact of the aforementioned reforms on our business performance in the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2013) is still being assessed. We will announce details as they are clarified.

For inquiries, please contact JRC Corporate Planning Group, tel +81 422 45 9774.

* SAW (surface acoustic wave) device: A filter that picks up electric signals at specified frequencies; used extensively in portable communications equipment (such as mobile phones and smartphones) and automobile equipment (such as GPS).

Set sail for JRC where once again we will be exhibiting at our usual and trusted location. We are pleased to provide you with a glimpse of our high-powered program to introduce several exciting new products.

Leading the way will be the first public viewing of the all-new 26-inch radar and ECDIS, which will redefine the standard we know today. You will be able to experience our all-new man-machine-interface contributing to a whole new level of enhanced ergonomics and user-friendliness.

Next up will be our new generation 4.5-inch common display series, featuring an aesthetic and harmonized design and which are available as Multi Information Display (MID), speed log and (D)GPS.

JRC will also be introducing a Class A AIS in line with the common display series, featuring a dual color LED backlight. It is the best choice for long-range reception.

Completing the new lineup JRC will be showing its new second generation FB250, featuring a reliable industry standard interface and an integrated advanced network router in a compact design.

Get to see all our products at hall B6, stand 300.

JRC, leading manufacturer of marine electronics, has issued a software update (V56) which makes the Admiralty Information Overlay available on all of its current ECDIS models.

The Admiralty Information Overlay, a free service to Admiralty Vector Chart Service customers, is a simple way to view the most comprehensive and up-to-date chart information when navigating with electronic navigational charts (ENCs). The Overlay is the only service available to include worldwide Admiralty Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners and new ENC Preliminary Notices to Mariners, which identify navigationally significant differences between ENCs and Admiralty paper charts.

Mariners the world over rely on Admiralty updates to help them navigate safely, via the weekly ‘Notices to Mariners’ publication, which is used to manually update paper charts. The Overlay does the same job automatically, displaying the same trusted information directly over the ENC, to make passage planning significantly more efficient.

The Overlay is also the only service to include the results of the Admiralty Assurance Programme; the comprehensive review of the world’s ENCs undertaken by Admiralty in order to identify and resolve navigationally significant differences with existing paper charts.

The Overlay has been developed to support Admiralty Vector Chart Service - the most comprehensive official ENC service available. It is available free to Admiralty Vector Chart Service customers and can be accessed on a PC using Admiralty e-Navigator, as well as via a growing number of ECDIS systems.

JRC’s V56 software update is applicable for B-type ECDIS models: JAN-901B/701B/2000/1186 and NDC-1186-4xx.

Tamiho Shinya at JRC, said, “Admiralty sets the benchmark for accurate ENCs with the Admiralty Vector Chart Service. Most of our ECDIS customers rely on Admiralty data for their primary navigation, so it’s important for them to have access to this additional information in a simple, integrated way. By delivering compatibility with the Overlay on our newest ECDIS models, our customers can plan and execute voyages with improved safety and ease, and more easily demonstrate compliance during Port State Control inspections.”

Jason Scholey, Admiralty Vector Chart Service Product Manager, says: “The Admiralty Information Overlay is our vehicle for getting the best possible information in front of the mariner, to improve the safety of navigation and the efficiency of passage planning. We are working with manufacturers to make the Overlay available on all front of bridge ECDIS machines and we’re pleased that JRC is extending availability to its models. We expect two thirds of new ECDIS units sold world-wide to have Overlay compatibility by the end of the year.”

JRC has also made available a software upgrade (V55) for ECDIS models affected by the anomalies identified in the IHO Check Dataset earlier this year. Any ECDIS models affected by the anomalies will need to run software upgrade V55 before attempting to install the Admiralty Information Overlay software update (V56).

Set sail for the JRC stand at Posidonia to see the latest line of new generation multi function and navigation information displays. Featuring an aesthetic and harmonized design, the 4.5-inch displays are a natural addition to JRC’s comprehensive product line.

The 4.5-inch display can be used as a Multi Information Display (MID), speed log, (D)GPS and GPS compass. The cost-effective approach allows full NMEA data share for up to 10 displays. JRC also introduces a new 4.5-inch Class A AIS in line with the common display series mentioned above.

JRC will introduce for the first time its new second generation JUE-251 FleetBroadband system, featuring a reliable industry standard interface and an advanced network router in a compact design.

Also on show is our new JUE-87 Inmarsat C, with an all-in-one messaging unit, a completely new designed antenna, extensive interfacing capability and introducing a whole new set of accessories that compliment our unified design approach.

Get to see all our products at stand 1117.

Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) was approved by NK (ClassNK, Chairman & President Mr. Noboru Ueda) as the provider of ECDIS training course type specific ECDIS trainingon 16 April 2012.

ECDIS "type specific" training is the course for familiarization of operation of the ECDIS model in use onboard. Vessels are required to install and adopt ECDIS carriage over the next 6 years, both for newly built vessels and those existing, with the requirements due to come into force in July 2012.

The NK approval is applicable to type specific ECDIS training at our training room set-up in our factory in Tokyo.

We are very proud of being approved by NK who are taking business activities in the sake of enhancing business fields for human safety and marine environment conservation. As a world leader in the design and manufacture of marine electronics, JRC continues to offer further safety navigation with providing suitable training to ship owners and crew using our IMO approved ECDIS.

Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) has signed an agreement with Inmarsat to manufacture and deliver maritime terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress™ Ka-band broadband service.

JRC is one of the world’s longest-established companies in the field of marine electronics, and a pioneer in global mobile L-band satellite communications as Inmarsat’s longest-serving manufacturing partner.

As one of the initial launch partners for Global Xpress, Inmarsat’s visionary response to the rapidly-changing broadband needs of international shipping, JRC will ensure the availability of high-quality maritime terminals at service introduction, planned for 2013.

“JRC has a well earned reputation of providing top-quality maritime equipment, backed up by the highest caliber of service,” said Frank Coles, President – Maritime, Inmarsat. “We are extremely pleased to have JRC contributing to the success of the Global Xpress service. This now completes the range of leading manufacturers supporting GX.”

JRC’s terminals operating over Inmarsat’s new fleet of Inmarsat-5 Ka-Band satellites, will provide seafarers with greatly enhanced levels of communications speed, quality and service.

From the beginnings of the satellite communications era JRC has invested heavily in research and development year-on-year. This investment will continue so as to offer creative solutions to the marine industry, through a new design of compact Ka-Band terminal and antenna delivering enhanced connectivity in response to user demands.

“Our Global Xpress terminals will complement the suite of Inmarsat marine products we have available today,” said Mr. Tamiho Shinya, Executive of Marine Division, JRC. “We are using the experience and expertise gained through our rich heritage of delivering successful Inmarsat products to ensure that our new product range for use with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress will provide customers with JRC’s renowned quality and reliability at a competitive price and with full global support.”
 

About JRC

Established in 1915, JRC has built and maintained a hard-earned reputation in the marine business for reliable and innovative engineering backed up by an extensive global customer support network. Our products are valued in the market because they provide modern affordable services which work dependably. JRC’s engineering standards are matched by the rigour of our Quality Assurance process -- our brand and our reputation are critical to our continued success.

Marine Electronics comprises some 30% of our activities. JRC worldwide has over 3500 employees (including subsidiaries) working in 41 locations in Japan and 13 overseas offices, with the main marine service centres being in Tokyo, Amsterdam and Seattle as our hubs for global coverage. In FY2010, ended March 31, 2011, the JRC Group posted consolidated net sales of JPY107,705 million($1.295.3 million). For more information, please visit www.jrc.co.jp/eng/ir/annual/2011/annual11.pdf
 

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500 staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2010, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1 million) and an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.

For further information please contact:

Japan Radio Co.,Ltd
Marine Electronics Division
Tel No.: 81-(0)3-6832-1814
Email: marine-contact@jrc.co.jp

John Warehand
Inmarsat
Tel No: 44 7739 778128
Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com

It is now one year since the IMO amendment to SOLAS came into force on 1st January 2011, and JRC is pleased to provide an update on our activities to date.

As a world leader in the design and manufacture of marine electronics, this latest new IMO requirement has been a lot longer in the making than many others, with the first pioneering models designed as far back as 1995 when IMO adopted the initial ECDIS performance standard. Since then JRC has delivered nearly 5,000 IMO compliant ECDIS systems worldwide, with approximately half that number made up of the current ECDIS product line.

Even with the IMO vessel specific installation deadlines still to enter into force, this shows ship owners demonstrating their own pioneering spirit by fitting early, great signs that ECDIS is already a natural fit on today's and tomorrow’s bridge.

It is expected that tens of thousands of vessels will be required to install and adopt ECDIS carriage over the next 6 years, both for newly built vessels and those existing. With a minimum of one ECDIS system being required per vessel and two systems to go “paperless”, this represents a significant number of what will be a major manufactured item. With the number of units already delivered, JRC has clearly demonstrated it has the capability and the capacity to meet the demand.

The final long term commitment that JRC offers is after sales service and support. Even after the carriage requirement has been effected by all specified vessels, JRC’s support philosophy and global service network will always be at the ship owner’s disposal for many years to come.

Set sail for JRC to see the latest line of new generation multi function and navigation information displays. Featuring an aesthetic and harmonized design, the 4.5-inch displays are a natural addition to JRC’s comprehensive product line.

In keeping with the company’s philosophy of an easy to use Man Machine Interface, the new displays have allowed JRC’s engineers to develop an exciting new software approach.

The 4.5-inch display can be used as a multi-function display (MFD), speed log, (D)GPS and GPS compass. The cost-effective approach allows full NMEA data share for up to 10 displays. The same applies for dimmer share. By changing the intensity on one of the units, it automatically shares the new display settings through all.

The keys are solid and backlit allowing for precise operation while easy to operate in low-light settings on the bridge.

Also new is power distribution. When powering one of the displays, it has the option to distribute power to two additional units, which allows for a flexible installation approach in confined spaces.

JRC also introduces a new 4.5-inch Class A AIS in line with the common display series mentioned above. The AIS can “see around corners” allowing avoidance of dangers before visual or radar contact has been established. The JRC AIS is renowned as best choice for long-range detection.

JRC’s advantage of long-range detection has been the basis for the new model. Outside the antenna will be the same, but the inner parts are completely renewed and RoHS compliant.

This will result in a cost-effective AIS system with uniform design and MMI approach while keeping the same technical advantages in place.

We expect to introduce all 4.5-inch displays gradually through the first six months of 2012.

Also on display at the exhibition will be the new JLR-21 GPS compass, which reaches a new level of performance and stability with many new features and enhancements. This system is also known as a 3D Dynamic Sensor™ which, besides giving heading information, is designed to provide highly accurate information of the ships movement in all axis.

JRC will show its JMA-5300Mk2 and JMA-9100 radar which integrates the Tornado™ radar processor.

Developed exclusively by JRC’s engineers, the Tornado™ radar processor has brought a new level of performance and reliability to radar operation. This capability allows the radars to easily perform the complex tasks associated with the company’s other in-house developed technologies, Constaview™ and Target Enhancement Function, TEF™ .

We will also show the new all-in-one radar JMA-3300 with a 10.4-inch ultra bright glass-bonded LCD (1000 candelas) integrating our new System-on-Chip technology. It features a clear radar picture with True Trails in Head-up mode, semi-Constaview™ and it has the option to easily view required data, such as own ship and/or cursor data in a transparent window. The radar has 50 AIS and 10 tracked MARPA targets as standard and is available in a 4, 6 and 10kW version (including high speed models for 6 and 10 kW).

Get to see all our products at (Alphatron) stand 3406.