This is big hometown news. Way back in 1990, ScanMyPhotos.com [30 Minute Photos Etc.] began by launching its retail photo center in Irvine, California. As strong community supporters, we long knew the value of having a company, based in Orange County. Today, with great pride, we learn that Toshiba’s IT products unit Toshiba America Information Systems (TAIS) and its CE products unit Toshiba America Consumer Products (TACP) will merge into a single operating company, effective July 1.
Under the plan TACP will be integrated into the digital products division (DPD), a division of TAIS. The new operation will be located at the current TAIS headquarters in Irvine, Calif. The company said the move was “designed to take full advantage of the ongoing digital convergence in the U.S. market by combining the resources of each company to provide the industry’s broadest and strongest range of digital products.”
In Irvine, TAIS markets and sells a range of information technology products, including laptop computers, storage devices, telephone systems and industrial camera products in the U.S. The company also recently added its first flash-based digital camcorder.Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., TACP has marketed and sold home entertainment products, including high-definition flat-panel TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, TV/DVD combination products and portable DVD players.Toshiba said the unification will leverage the convergence between PC and TV technologies and will generate synergies in sales, service, marketing and communication activities. The company expects the action to “strengthening Toshiba’s overall brand image and increasing brand awareness.”
Toshiba said it has closely monitored the evolution in the U.S. market of the convergence between information technology and visual products. “By combining the U.S. operations of two of Toshiba’s pivotal businesses, Toshiba will further its market leadership and will be better positioned to offer new products and services to customers,” the company said in a statement announcing the move.In the new arrangement, TAIS will market and sell a full line of LED and LCD TVs, T/DVD combination units, Blu-ray Disc players, portable DVD players, and DVD player and recorder products, as well as laptop computers, hard drives, industrial camera products, telecommunication systems and imaging systems.”
According to Toshiba, “[t]he Irvine operation is also home to other Toshiba America subsidiaries, including Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS), Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) and Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS). Additionally, the location offers easier access to overseas manufacturing facilities, as well as to Toshiba Corporation which is headquartered in Tokyo.
