Hitachi Maxell (日立マクセル, Hitachi Makuseru) (TYO: 6810), or Maxell, is a Japanese company which manufactures consumer electronics. The company's notable products are batteries and electronics -- the company's name is a contraction of "maximum capacity dry cell" -- and recording media, including audio cassettes and blank VHS tapes, and recordable optical discs like CD-R/RW and DVD±RW. Additionally, the company sells electronics accessories, like CD and DVD laser cleaners. On March 4, 2008 Maxell announced that they would no longer manufacturer their optical media, but would start contracting other companies to manufacturer Maxell media.