Product Development:
– Olympus has a long history in the camera industry, starting with the Semi-Olympus I in 1936.
– Notable camera series include the Pen series in 1959 and the OM system for professionals.
– Olympus made a significant entry into digital photography in 1996.
– The company also ventured into video recording equipment and DSLR cameras.
– Olympus collaborated with Panasonic on the Micro Four Thirds system.
Medical and Scientific Innovations:
– Olympus is a major manufacturer of medical equipment such as endoscopes and ultrasound devices.
– The company co-developed the first flexible endoscope globally.
– A joint venture with Sony was established for medical solutions.
– Olympus introduced a 4K surgical endoscopy system in collaboration with Sony.
– The company also offers scientific solutions like microscopes and imaging instruments.
Corporate Affairs and Controversies:
– Olympus faced a major scandal in 2011 involving financial irregularities and a subsequent accounting scandal.
– The company paid fines amounting to US$646 million in 2016 for illegal activities.
– Corporate governance issues led to restructuring and divestment of the Imaging division.
– Sony became the largest shareholder of Olympus in 2013.
– The company faced challenges in maintaining profitability, leading to the exit from the camera business.
Partnerships and Collaborations:
– Olympus partnered with Sony and Fujifilm for a capital alliance in 2012.
– The company collaborated with Canon Medical Systems for endoscopic ultrasound technology.
– Olympus focused on Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras in 2012.
– Sony sold a $760 million stake in Olympus in 2019.
– Olympus considered alliances and job cuts to strengthen its financial position.
Historical Evolution and Brand Identity:
– Founded as Takachiho Seisakusho in 1919, the brand transitioned to Olympus in 1921.
– The company’s logo evolved over the years to reflect quality and sophistication.
– Olympus faced a significant accounting scandal in 2011, resulting in board resignations.
– The scandal involved concealing investment losses and kickbacks.
– Olympus admitted to inappropriate accounting practices, leading to legal consequences and financial penalties.
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Olympus Corporation (オリンパス株式会社, Orinpasu Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscopes and thermometers. Olympus holds roughly a 70 percent share of the global endoscope market, estimated to be worth approximately US$2.5 billion. Its global headquarters are located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.
 Logo since 2000 | |
Native name | オリンパス株式会社 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Orinpasu Kabushiki-kaisha |
| Company type | Public |
| TYO: 7733 | |
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 12 October 1919 (as Takachiho Seisakusho) Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Founder | Takeshi Yamashita |
| Headquarters | Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Yasuo Takeuchi (president & CEO) |
| Products |
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| Revenue |  ¥847,105 million (y/e March 2011) |
| Owners |
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Number of employees | 31,557 (31 March 2022) |
| Website | olympus-global.com |
In 2011, Olympus attracted worldwide media scrutiny when it fired its CEO Michael Christopher Woodford for whistleblowing, and the matter snowballed into a corporate corruption investigation with multiple arrests. In 2016, it paid US$646 million (equivalent to $804 million in 2023) in fines associated with its illegal, long running, kickback scheme.
