Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 5, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Panasonic Europe mourns its Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Joachim Reinhart, who died on December 26, 2008 after a brief, serious illness. With his energy, experience and creative drive, Reinhart made a major contribution to the company’s success over approximately 25 years in various management positions.
Joachim Reinhart’s career at Panasonic began in 1983, when he took over management of the Matsushita Bosch (MB) Video GmbH joint venture. From 1988, he worked at Panasonic as Managing Director of Matsushita Audio Video GmbH in Germany. Beginning in 2001, Reinhart headed the company’s European business as Managing Director and COO of Panasonic Europe, and from 2004 he also served as an Executive Officer.
At the same time, he was the first European member of the global corporation’s management in Japan. He will be greatly missed both as a person and as a committed adviser between Japan and Europe.
With his many years of industry experience and passionate commitment, Joachim Reinhart not only had a positive influence on Panasonic but also successfully represented the company in leadership positions in German and European industry associations. At EICTA (European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association), for example, he was a member of the management board; at JBCE (Japanese Business Council in Europe), Reinhart was Managing Director; and at ZVEI (German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association), he served as a board member.
Joachim Reinhart will always be remembered with honor at Panasonic.
