Management

Founder

Nozomu Matsumoto

The long road to Pioneer's current success began in 1932, when 26-year old Nozomu Matsumoto first heard a console-type electric phonograph with a dynamic speaker attached to it. The rich contrast of the sound compared to magnetic type speakers then in use created a desire in Matsumoto to build a dynamic speaker of his own. Five years later, in 1937, he hand crafted the A-8 and christened the new speaker "Pioneer." Matsumoto started a small factory to manufacture and repair radios and speakers the following year, 1938, the official year of Pioneer's founding.

Matsumoto's sons joined the family business and Pioneer saw sales steadily increase along with the company's reputation as a producer of quality speakers. By 1957 - twenty years after the first hand crafted speaker was made - Pioneer had orders for speakers from major manufacturers to use in their own complete stereo systems. Five years later, Pioneer embarked on the production and sale of its own complete stereo sets, marking a major shift from component maker to finished goods manufacturer. The separate stereo was one of Nozomu Matsumoto's greatest achievements. He created the concept, and made relentless efforts to create markets for it. He also devised a "one-step distribution system, a completely new form of distribution at the time that bypassed wholesales and built a nationwide network of sales offices.

Matsumoto continued to follow the origins of the company by creating new technologies. In 1975, when VCRs were still becoming popular, Pioneer halted R&D efforts on VCRs and began work on Laser Disc - the precursor to today's DVD and Blu-ray Disc technology. Over the years, Pioneer has proved its expertise in optical disc technology building on the early days of Laser Disc to continue product innovation.

Even after Matsumoto removed himself from day-to-day decision-making, his spirit continued to shape Pioneer's corporate culture and serve as an inspiration for each of its employees. The strength of the influence of a dynamic entrepreneur remains.

Matsumoto died in 1988 at the age of 83, leaving behind a very close-knit family. As 6,000 mourners lined the roadway to pay their respects, friends provided a tender farewell as they spoke of a man who had taken a small speaker factory and repair shop, and in 50 years built it into a multi-billion dollar international consumer electronics manufacturer - Pioneer Corporation.

Current Leadership

Tamihiko Sudo

Tamihiko Sudo took on the role of President and Representative Director of Pioneer Corporation on January 1, 2006, after holding various top executive posts within Pioneer. Sudo began his career at Pioneer in 1970, immediately after graduation from the College of Social Relations at St. Paul's University in Japan.

During his tenure with Pioneer, Sudo was stationed in Europe from 1977-1984 and again from 1989 - 1994. His experiences living in Europe enables him to bring a wide-ranging perspective to Pioneer at a time when the global economy necessitates global thinking.

Sudo worked his way up through Pioneer's mobile entertainment businesses, beginning in product planning and ultimately becoming the president of Pioneer's Mobile Entertainment Company.  He has a wealth of experience in managerial methods, and was project leader when Pioneer won the Japan Quality Award.

Born in 1947 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Sudo currently lives in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo with his wife and family. When not traveling on Pioneer business, he enjoys golf and watching high definition television.

Tom Haga

Tom Haga is group president and chief operating officer of Pioneer North America (PNA) and an executive director of Pioneer Corporation. He has responsibility for corporate planning, shareholder relations, legal issues and overall business coordination for Pioneer North America and its subsidiaries. He serves as chairman of each of the PNA subsidiaries, including: sales and marketing for the United States and Canada, service and repair, automotive OEM sales, research and development, manufacturing and patents.

Haga's mission is to ensure that Pioneer can respond quickly and effectively to the changing consumer electronics environment, particularly as the industry moves from analog to digital technology and from stand-alone to networked products. With more than 25 years experience in the consumer electronics industry, Haga offers a unique perspective in the industry and has the ability to create synergy among the many business divisions of Pioneer.

During his 25-plus year career at Pioneer, Haga has led company operations in Japan, the United States and the International Business Division, which includes China, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. However he has spent most of his career in North America, with stints in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. As a result, he has a deep understanding of the North American marketplace and the products and services demanded by American consumers.

Haga also has significant experience on the golf courses of North America as golf is one of his favorite hobbies.