As Morita always said, "Sales is a form of communication. To persuade consumers that Sony products improve their lives, we must have our own sales channels." After the company changed its name from Tokyo Tsushi Kogyo to Sony Corporation in 1958, Sony began to establish sales and marketing operations abroad and took its first steps to becoming a world famous brand.

In Europe, the first Sony sales company was established in December 1960 as Sony Overseas S.A. (SOSA) in Zug, Switzerland. Sony Overseas S.A. was responsible for managing all European accounts, as well as European finance and foreign exchange. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Sony established Sony Corporation of America to handle sales and marketing activities in the United States. The only other overseas operations during the early sixties were the Hong Kong Office, founded in 1958, and a production plant in Ireland which was set up in 1959.

After the European Community came into being in 1967, Sony established more local sales companies in Europe with Sony (U.K.) Ltd founded in London in May 1968, followed by Sony GmbH in Cologne in June 1970 and Sony France S.A. in Paris in February 1973. These companies remain today as three of the most established Sony organisations in Europe.

Over the past three decades, Sony has consistently enhanced its presence across the continent with new sales and marketing operations, manufacturing plants, research & development organisations and design & development sites. A strong commitment to investment in Europe has enabled Sony to boost the power of its brand and better understand the needs of customers in individual countries.

First Sony sales company established in Europe:
1960 - Sony Overseas S.A. (Zug, Switzerland) )

Sales companies established in three major markets:
1968 - Sony U.K. Ltd (London)
1970 - Sony GmbH (Cologne)
1973 - Sony France S.A.(Paris)

First manufacturing facility established in Western Europe:
1974 - Bridgend plant (Wales, UK)

Established European Headquarters for Broadcast & Professional business
1978 - Sony Broadcast Ltd (Basingstoke, UK)

Established first European Technology Center:
1986 - Sony Technology Center (Stuttgart)

Established first Pan-European Headquarters for electronics business:
1986 - Sony Europe GmbH (Cologne)

First manufacturing facility established in Eastern Europe:
1996 - Trnava plant (Slovak Republic)

Linking East and West

In 1999, Sony Europe GmbH transferred its headquarters to the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. This landmark Sony Center, built at the heart of a rejuvenated Berlin, was officially inaugurated in 2000. It represents one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the city since reunification and epitomises Sony's vision and commitment to the new Europe. For more information on the Sony Center, please refer to www.sonycenter.de.

Into The Future - A New Plant For LCD TV Manufacturing

With ever increasing demand for LCD TVs in Europe, Sony will be strengthening its European manufacturing operations in 2007 with a new facility in Nitra (Slovak Republic). Capable of producing three million sets per year, this new plant is sure to further expand Sony TV business in Europe and help us take full advantage of today’s exciting opportunities in LCD.