Matsushita Electric Works Aims to Boost Sales of Techno-Structure with Advanced Software and Safety Certification

Japan's Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. is expanding its efforts to promote the use of Techno-Structure, a high-strength construction material for wooden houses, by leveraging its newly developed software that calculates seismic resistance strength. The company plans to increase the number of housing starts using the material in fiscal 2007 to 5,000 projects, a 70% surge from the anticipated fiscal 2005 number. The advanced software will enable customers and contractors to collaborate on safety checks, thereby boosting sales.

Key Takeaways:

• Matsushita Electric Works aims to raise the number of housing starts using Techno-Structure to 5,000 projects in fiscal 2007, representing a 70% increase from the anticipated fiscal 2005 number.
• The company has developed software that calculates seismic resistance strength using a personal computer, allowing users to input information such as desired design, area temperature, and snowfall volume.
• The software will not confirm safety if calculations do not meet requirements, ensuring that the material is used in a safe and secure manner.
• Matsushita Electric Works plans to increase its cooperating contractors to about 500 in fiscal 2007, representing a 25% increase from the present.
• The company expects the software to reassure consumers and boost sales by enabling customers and contractors to collaborate on safety checks.
• Techno-Structure is a high-strength construction material for wooden houses, made up of a steel frame surrounded by wood, fastened with bolts and screws.
• Matsushita Electric Works began marketing Techno-Structure in July 1995.

Statistics:

• 5,000: Number of housing starts using Techno-Structure planned for fiscal 2007.
• 70%: Increase in the number of housing starts using Techno-Structure from the anticipated fiscal 2005 number.
• 500: Target number of cooperating contractors in fiscal 2007.
• 25%: Increase in the number of cooperating contractors from the present.
• 1995: Year Matsushita Electric Works began marketing Techno-Structure.

Sources:

• Asia Pulse, "Japan's Matsushita Electric Works Aims to Broaden Sales of High-Strength Construction Material", Jan 6.
• Nikkei, no publication date specified.