LONDON, UK - 27 September 2011 - Hitachi Consulting UK today announced that they have implemented a Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP solution for Maxell Europe, along with ongoing Managed Services support. The new solution, which replaces the company’s existing legacy ERP system, is designed to improve intercompany billing, enable effective attribution of expenditure at the product group level for accounting purposes, and streamline supply chain efficiencies through better forecasting and visibility.

Maxell Europe had an existing legacy software package in place, servicing different parts of the business, which needed replacing with a solution that better suited the needs of both Maxell Moulding Systems and Maxell Europe.

The company also needed to deliver accurate reporting and stock levels to its parent company, Hitachi Maxell, by enhancing its ability to bring parent-supplied inventory to market in any European location.

“We needed the new system to address intercompany processing issues, financial handling and to facilitate an improved level of confidence in stock availability. This in turn would improve both stock turn and stock ageing statistics,” said Martyn Lloyd, European IT Manager, Maxell Europe Ltd. “The Maxell Europe enterprise comprises three separate legal entities in total, with additional trading divisions put in place for operational reasons. This required consideration during the project in order to facilitate intercompany trading, accounting eliminations and consolidations post go-live.”

Hitachi Consulting UK helped to deliver the process change, consolidation, procurement process, complex data migration, and integration using nine UK based consultants with offshore support from consultants based in Pune, India. The solution created a common IT infrastructure, eliminating the legacy system, and delivering efficiencies around procurement, reporting and cost savings.

“The new Microsoft Dynamics AX system has given us much easier access to information,” added Lloyd. “It automates internal processes between companies, such as orders, and we don’t have to input the same information into different systems. We’ve been able to standardise across the business. We have also seen significant improvements in the intercompany supply chain, saving time via the reduction of manual input and significant savings on previous annual maintenance costs.”

Maxell Europe Ltd. has also taken an ongoing managed services contract with Hitachi Consulting UK. The company benefits from out of hours support. Updates are carried out during the night, which minimises overall downtime.

About Hitachi Consulting Corporation

Hitachi Consulting is the global business and IT consulting company of Hitachi Ltd. with operations throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The company is a recognized leader in delivering proven business and IT strategies and solutions to Global 2000 companies across many industries. With a balanced view of strategy, people, process and technology, we work with companies to understand their unique business needs, and to develop and implement practical business strategies and technology solutions. From business strategy development through application deployment and maintenance, our consultants are committed to helping clients quickly realize measurable business value and achieve sustainable return on investment (ROI). Hitachi Consulting's client base includes 25 percent of the Global 100 as well as many leading mid-market companies. We offer a client-focused, collaborative approach and transfer knowledge throughout each engagement. For more information, visit www.hitachiconsulting.com.

About Maxell Europe Ltd

Maxell Europe Ltd is a group company of Hitachi Maxell Ltd, Japan.

Hitachi Maxell Ltd is a leading global manufacturer of information storage media products, including magnetic tapes; optical discs and battery products such as lithium ion rechargeable batteries; micro batteries and alkaline dry batteries. It also manufacturers plastic components for the automotive, medical and pest control industries.

Maxell's Consumer products in Headphones, Multimedia Boxes, Digital Photoframes, Wireless Qi accessories and Speakers are today integral to the growing and fast-moving consumer technology markets.

Since its foundation in 1960, Hitachi Maxell has led the electronics industry at home and abroad in the fields of storage media and batteries and the brand "Maxell" is globally recognised. In addition, Hitachi Maxell is also focused on devices and materials, such as optical components and functional materials based on Maxell's core technologies. For more information, please visit www.maxell.eu

Maxell Moulding Services division

Maxell Moulding Services have over 22 years’ experience in manufacturing and packaging precision moulded plastic components for automotive, medical, and consumer industries. Our UK plastic injection moulding factory is located in Telford, in the West-Midlands and benefits from excellent transport links. Maxell is an ISO accredited manufacturer with class-8 clean-room facilities and employs a very environmentally friendly working policy. For more information please visit www.maxellmms.com

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2010 (ended March 31, 2011) consolidated revenues totalled 9,315 billion yen ($112.2 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.

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For further information, please contact:

Vanessa Land

Devonshire Marketing

Tel: 0870 242 7469

Email: vanessa[at]devonshiremarketing[dot]com

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