Case Study

THE MARKET Nikon is a world leader in precision optics and imaging technology. Recognized globally for setting new standards in product design and performance, the unique strength of the Nikon brand is attributable to the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, performance, and innovation. As the worldwide digital camera market continues to achieve strong year-over-year growth and the demand for imaging solutions evolves, Nikon’s innovation continues to define the market. To most consumers the Nikon name is associated with unbeatable image quality and excellence in photography. However, Nikon’s innovation, precision optics, and manufacturing expertise extend well beyond cameras and photography into an array of industries: • Nikon’s ultra-high precision stepper products have been indispensable to the success of the semiconductor industry, and Nikon’s semiconductor manufacturing and wafer inspection equipment is found at chip fabrication facilities throughout the world. • Nikon microscopes and scientific imaging products command the largest share of the U.S. life science market, both in research and diagnostic laboratories. • Industries from automotive and aerospace to internal medicine depend on Nikon metrology products for maximum accuracy in component production. • Nikon’s binoculars and sport optics, many of which are designed to perform in the most extreme conditions, are used by outdoor enthusiasts the world over. ACHIEVEMENTS Nikon has led in technical innovations for more than 85 years, and the performance delivered by Nikon products has earned the company and its customers prestige and recognition in a variety of fields. The

majority of recent Pulitzer Prize–winning photographers used Nikon equipment to capture the winning image. Nikon Coolpix cameras have received more awards and top rankings than any other consumer digital camera line. Plus, Nikon SLR cameras have been on every manned space flight since the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. As “The Eyes of...