The Information Technology 100
92
Nikon
Nikon is best known among global consumers for turning out supremely cool gadgets such as the Nikon D50 and sleek, feature-laden COOLPIX S2 digital-camera lines. Yet chip executives also recognize it as a world leader in the production and sale of IC steppers, machines that print circuitry on silicon wafers. Nikon's net income jumped ninefold to $225 million in the fiscal year that ended in March, while sales rocketed up 26% to $5.9 billion. Nikon benefited from brisk global chip demand, fueled by interest in all manner of digital gadgets, and saw demand for its steppers used in the production of LCDs increase more than 65%. And, natch, the Nikon brand remains golden among the digital-camera crowd.
Company Info
| STOCK INFO | NA |
| Revenues* | $5.9 BILLION |
| Revenue Growth | 26.1% |
| Return on Equity | 12.3% |
| Total Return | 5.8% |
| Profits* | $224.8 MILLION |
| Industry | SEMICONDUCTORS |
| CORPORATE WEB SITE | |
All figures are for the most recent available 12 months.
* Latest available data for the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, Jan. 31, Feb. 29, Mar. 31, or Apr. 30. For companies that do not report quarterly, the most recent annual data were used.
Data provided by Standard & Poor's Compustat, BusinessWeek
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Company Snapshot
Nikon Corp. engages in three principal businesses, precision equipment, imaging products, and instruments, as well as other businesses. The precision equipment products comprise IC steppers and LCD steppers. The imaging products consist of sliver halide cameras, digital cameras, and interchangeable lenses. The instruments offered by the company include microscopes, measuring instruments, and semiconductor inspection equipment. The products constituting the other businesses category comprise sport optics products, eyewear, and surveying instruments.
No. of Employees
NA
Data provided by 
Shoichiro Yoshida
Bio
Shoichiro Yoshida serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Nikon Corp. Mr. Yoshida is in charge of items related to Group’s management policies. He serves as a Representative Director of Nikon Corp. He also serves as a Director of East Japan Railway Co.