Hitachi ENHANCES customers Privilege program

FOR HARD DISK DRIVE PARTNERS in INDIA

Upgraded Channel Loyalty Program Broadens Hitachi’s Reach To

35 Indian States and Territories, Tapping Emerging Market in India
New Delhi, June 2, 2009 – Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today announced that it has enhanced its Hitachi Partners Privilege program (HPP) in India, offering more rewards, recognition and support to its customers across the country. With a strong partner base, significant program results, and new enhanced services, Hitachi GST plans to extend its channel and resellers network even further, and capture more business opportunity in India.

Targeting resellers, system integrators, system builders and retailers in 35 states and territories across India, Hitachi’s enhanced customer loyalty program is an ongoing, long-term customer loyalty program that provides consistent rewards and support to its members. Registered HPP members in India achieved a 345 percent increase in their reported sales volume of Hitachi GST desktop and mobile hard drives in Q4 2008 compared to Q1 2008, when the program was first launched in the country.

In addition to providing valuable resources to help its partners sell Hitachi GST products and increase their bottom line, the new extended program includes:

Robust and user-friendly online rewards system: Migrated from an offline, manual approach to an online system, the extended HPP program now allows members in India to access a range of real-time information through a new online system with personalized login information. Sales data, reward points, promotions, sales and marketing tools, product announcements and other updates will also be available on the new online platform.
New rewards mechanism: Qualified HPP members can redeem India debit cards stored with money equivalent to the rewards points, which are earned by selling eligible Hitachi desktop and mobile hard drives. HPP members can make purchases with the debit cards at any qualified merchant in India. The previous rewards system was based on gift redemption from a fixed catalogue list.
Tiered membership: Under the enhanced program, HPP members will be categorized into three tiers – HPP Platinum members, HPP Gold members and HPP members – which are based on consistent, aggregate Hitachi GST hard drive sales by quarter. Each tier offers differentiated benefits where partners are entitled to quarterly bonus reward points, in addition to their basic reward points earned.

“Our partners are critical as they’re an extension of our sales force. We continually strive to meet their needs, help them grow their business and stay competitive in this dynamic industry,” said Mr. James Ho, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Hitachi GST. “Through the enhanced HPP program not only can we reward our partners, recognize their efforts, and provide them with the right tools, but together, we can explore and identify new business opportunities and tap emerging markets, thus enhancing hard disk drive sales and awareness across India.”

“The Hitachi Partners Privilege program provides channel partners with real-time market solutions and support, which helps identify and capture the rapid growing Indian PC market. We look forward to growing our relationship with Hitachi,” said Mr. Vinod Vanigota from Chip Com Traders Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Ajit Jain, Director of Creation Computer Tech Pvt. Ltd. said, “The enhanced HPP channel loyalty program allows channel partners like us to acquire the latest information about Hitachi GST and its product portfolio online. It will serve as a platform to directly communicate with Hitachi GST, which will support a strong partnership with Hitachi GST.”

The Hitachi Partner Privilege program is a long-term customer loyalty program that provides its partners with the tools needed to grow their business and enhance their bottom line. Hitachi GST is committed to strong relationships with valued, high quality partners and believe that this is the key to success. Providing consistent rewards, promotions and support to its members since 2005, the HPP program first launched in China, followed by Taiwan, India, South Korea, and some ASEAN countries. The enhanced version will soon reach Malaysia and Vietnam, where the company continues to grow its channel business.

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 400,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2008 (ended March 31, 2009) consolidated revenues totaled 10,000 billion yen ($102.0 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials, logistics and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi.com.