Toshiba America The world is heading toward significant changes in the coming decades. Getty Images

It's hard to remember a time when Toshiba wasn't around. The brand is known for its laptops, tablets, TVs, and printers. Behind the scenes, we rely on Toshiba power generation systems, semiconductors, and medical-diagnostic equipment.

But in 1965, Toshiba America started out small, supplying industrial motors and electronics. Today, the company addresses major industries, such as energy and infrastructure, healthcare, and retail, focusing on a quality-of-life vision it calls Human Smart Community by lifenology.

As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it's time to ask: Where is Toshiba now, and where is it going over the next 50 years?

The company is focused on the following three megatrends, which will have major effects on our economy over the coming decades.

1. The US needs a stable energy supply.

Along with that, the country will have to confront the environmental issues associated with changing how we get our energy. Toshiba’s Energy & Infrastructure group is working to ensure a stable energy supply while reducing C02 and greenhouse-gas emissions through hydro, solar, geothermal, and wind power generation. It will also look to thermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear power generation to solve our needs. On the consumer side of the equation, Toshiba employs smart metering technologies and demand management, the integration of renewables and advanced battery energy storage systems to further improve energy efficiency, reliability and sustainable use of resources.

2. We're all getting older. 

As the US population ages, we're going to face rising healthcare costs. By 2030, 20% of us will be eligible for Medicare. Toshiba’s Healthcare group is developing innovations such as safer and quicker noninvasive diagnostic-imaging procedures, and it uses big-data analysis to predict and treat illness. This will allow healthcare providers to rein in treatment costs.

3. We're starting to shop differently.

Technology's rapid development will affect America's traditional retail operations. As the leading retail-solutions company in the US, Toshiba is redefining the interaction between retailers and customers, online and in stores. Toshiba's retail solutions are designed to support transactions from virtually any location or device. 

In 50 years, Toshiba America has grown dramatically, now employing more than 18,000 people across the US. As it looks ahead to the next 50 years, Toshiba will continue to focus on delivering products, technologies, and solutions that improve quality of life, addressing issues such as energy conservation, healthcare, societal shifts, and environmental changes at their core.

As the US changes, Toshiba continues to evolve too. The company promises to be at the forefront of new opportunities and challenges every step of the way, embracing solutions to be a more agile partner for businesses and consumers.

To find out more about Toshiba, visit the company's website

This post is sponsored by Toshiba.

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