Sony UK Technology Centre, the site which re-shored production of the Raspberry Pi computer, has announced it will start manufacturing six new professional camera products this year.
Over 6,000 units will be produced at the Pencoed site in South Wales every year on top of its core manufacturing business of professional and broadcast camera and cameras systems. Ten jobs will be created as a consequence.
Sony UK Technology Centre also manufacturers the Raspberry Pi, a bare-bones computer designed to teach computer programming and electronics skills. The site hit headline last year when it won the contract to manufacture the product which was previously produced in China for cost reasons.
The new products being brought on line at Sony UK Technology Centre have strong, growing consumer markets in Europe and the Middle East.
Katsunori Yamanouchi, vice president, Sony Professional Solutions Europe said that the decision to manufacturer these popular products in Wales was testament to the site’s reputation for quality and manufacturing excellence. “We believe it is the best place to manufacture our latest camera products,” he said.
“With our latest handheld camcorders being made in the UK we are closer to our customers,” continued Mr Yamanouchi. We can ensure customers aren’t faced with long waiting times and it gives them peace of mind that they can count on a strong, local support from the Sony team in Pencoed. It allows us to deliver a premium service for a premium product that our customers have come to rely on.”
The site will be using its trusted lean manufacturing techniques to produce the new product portfolio.
In addition an investment of around £300,000 which has been part-funded by the Welsh Government, will bring new equipment to the site, expanding capacity and improving manufacturing flexibility.
Manufacturing in Action
Learn more about the lean manufacturing culture at Sony UK Technology Centre in the October issue of TM.
Steve Dalton OBE, managing director of Sony UK Technology Centre commented on the new challenges raised by the expansions of his site’s product portfolio: “We have a long manufacturing history in Wales having made consumer products in the early days through to high-end professional broadcast cameras.
“In order to continue our longevity, we have made substantial investments to the site in Pencoed, in terms of equipment, new processes, additional skill sets, all supporting the diversification of our products and operations,” he said before paying tribute to the skills of the workforce in enabling innovation and competitiveness on a global scale.
“The introduction of these new products will allow us to continue to excel in manufacturing by developing world-class products. Furthermore, it will see us as the only professional device manufacturer to produce its products in Europe. As a result, this will add to the site’s sustainability and future in the UK and Wales. It also demonstrates the huge opportunities within the UK manufacturing industry.”
