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Things can happen if you rely on one sensor manufacturer
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  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. anticipate some impact on the future production of our lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, interchangeable lenses and digital compact cameras, because some of our suppliers in this region have been affected by the earthquakes and the continuing aftershocks.

    Again - main supplier is Sony (for sensors).

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    @4CardsMan

    Samsung after Sony makes most advanced camera modules, and this year Samsung proposed goal to eliminate Sony here moving all resources (from NX also).

    Real battle is being played on mobile field, if Samsung wins Sony will also withdraw from large markets quite soon.

  • 4CardsMan4CardsMan

    @Vitaliy_Kiselev "It seems that in later part Samsung played some role." How so?

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Sony estimates the impact from the quake on its image sensor and digital camera operations would total 105 billion yen this business year. It says the impact on the company as a whole would be 115 billion yen.

    Sony decided to terminate the development and manufacturing of high-functionality camera modules for external sale, the mass production of which was being prepared at the Kumamoto Technology Center, as a result of a reconsideration of the strategy of this business from a long-term perspective. Approximately 30 billion yen in expense is expected to be incurred due to this termination

    It seems that in later part Samsung played some role.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    New update

    • Operations at Sony Kumamoto Technology Center (located in Kikuchi Gun, Kumamoto Prefecture), which is the primary manufacturing site of image sensors for digital cameras and security cameras, had been suspended due to the impact of the earthquakes.
    • However, as of May 9, 2016, testing operations, which are one of the back-end processes carried out on the upper layer of the building, have resumed and other back-end processes, such as assembly, are also expected to restart sequentially beginning May 17, 2016.
    • Wafer processing operations located on the lower layer of the building are expected to restart sequentially beginning May 21, 2016.
    • Although there was a delay in the supply of components to Sony from certain third-party suppliers that also have manufacturing facilities in the Kumamoto region, inventory adjustments have been made and a timeframe for regaining supply levels is now in place, so no material impact is anticipated on Sony's business operations.
    • The impact on Sony's consolidated results due to the effect of the earthquakes, including from opportunity losses, as well as expenses for recovery and reinforcement work, continues to be evaluated.
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Thins are not good

    • Damage to the building itself has been confirmed to be primarily to the upper layer of the building, and reinforcement work will be carried out in this area.
    • The clean rooms used for wafer processing and manufacturing equipment, both located on the lower layer of the building have not been significantly damaged, and preparations are now underway to resume production. Manufacturing operations are targeted to resume around the end of May 2016.
    • Regarding back-end processes, such as assembly and measurement, as well as processing operations for components such as camera modules, which are carried out on the upper layer of the building, Sony has confirmed that there is damage to the clean rooms, manufacturing equipment and other equipment. Further analysis of the extent of this damage is currently underway.
    • Damage to finished product inventory such as image sensors at Kumamoto Technology Center is limited, and shipments of these products have already resumed. The status of semi-finished and uncompleted products is currently being confirmed.
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