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Nikon follows Olympus: Moving all production to Thailand
  • At last, Nikon will end the domestic production of camera bodies that has continued for more than 70 years. Until now, body manufacturing has been carried out at “Sendai Nikon” in Miyagi Prefecture and “Nikon Thailand (NTC)” in Thailand, but in order to reduce costs, it will be concentrated at the Thai factory.

    Production of the mirrorless cameras Z 7 and Z 6 was completed at the end of September, and preparations for the transfer of production to Thailand have begun in October. Production of the D6 digital SLR will also be transferred to Thailand by the end of 2021.

    https://dot.asahi.com/dot/2020121500061.html

    Just step by step that Olympus had been doing.

    Killing service centers, after this punishing people who worked many years in marketing and support, after this moving production and further cost cutting.

    Efficient management at their best.

  • 3 Replies sorted by
  • The Sony a7s iii is made in Thailand. Nikon should have done this sooner.

  • @markr041

    Problem is not Thailand in general (btw Sony management also significantly damaged camera department during such moves). It is timing and how it is done.

    Add here COVID endless stuff where one hope will be slashed and another will arise to be slashed also. One outbreak and Nikon won't have any production at all, may be for 3-6 months. Now add around 20 factories who make parts.

    Moving of production happen not only because it is cheaper (cut some top managers bonuses and other things and it'll be same). It is done because top management and owners fear the instability and having people living on government subsidies is much better to control them compared to working people.

  • According to a report from Nikkei Shimbun, Nikon is set cease operations at two of its Japanese interchangeable lens manufacturing factories next month, leaving just a single factory to produce lenses domestically.