“Nikon Sendai 3-4 times the capacity of the corresponding demand for digital single-lens”
[Update: Summary: Looks like the Sendai plant is expanding production 3-4. In the comments Jeff says "I think what the article means is that Sendai wishes to increase output from 140,000 to 500,000." Which is definitely a healthy increase.
Does anyone read Japanese and want to translate?
According to this article in Kahoku Online Network, the Nikon Sendai plant has increased capacity by several times!
Nikon SLR camera’s only assembly plant in Sendai Nikon (Natori, Miyagi Prefecture City), digital single-lens reflex cameras to meet the rapid market growth this year to 3-4 times the capacity enhancement, and sales High-double. Strong sales of high-end digital SLR cameras flagship model, “D3″ while maintaining production, to introduce several new models to correspond. Production department employees also increase the sources said about 300 people.
Digital SLR market in the world this year, shipments increased more than 20 percent year-on-year, 900 million more than expected in the industry. This according to Sendai Nikon has an annual production capacity totaling about 140,000 units from 500,000 units to increase much.
So maybe this weekends reports that the Sendai plant was getting ready for putting out two new bodies is correct?
Can anyone vouch for Kohaku news?
April 28th, 2008 at 22:39
The numbers don’t seem to make sense. In fiscal 2007, Nikon sold 2.090,000 units. In fiscal 2008 (ending March 31) they were projected to hit 3 million units (out of a worldwide market of 7.5 million DSLR units.) That’s about a 44% growth rate. Let’s say there’s another 44% in 2009, which is doubtful, partially because of a maturing market and partially because of a poor world-wide economy. That would be 4.32 million units. That works out to about 360,000 units per month.
So I don’t know where the “900 million more…” comes from (maybe that meant 900,000 more). And I don’t know where the 140,000 units is coming from because in fiscal 08, Nikon was already producing 250,000 units per month. But it does make sense for Nikon to have increased capacity from 250,000 to 360,000 units per month based upon the above figures. And it might make sense to establish long-term capacity to around 500,000 units per month, assuming that we start to see an economic recovery within a year or two.
And they don’t need a lot of capacity for a D3X – how many units do you really think they’re going to sell of a $6000 (or more) body? But if there’s a D90 or equivalent coming…they would need capacity for that.
Actual Nikon fiscal 2008 numbers are to be released around May 10th.
April 28th, 2008 at 22:43
Oops..one more note: my numbers are Nikon’s worldwide DSLR output, so needed capacity at Sendai would be less than what I’ve stated. Many of the bodies are produced in Thailand, right?
April 28th, 2008 at 23:13
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May 2nd, 2008 at 23:27
Just a correction on the translation of the numbers.
1 ? = 10,000
900 ? = 9 million
I think what the article means is that Sendai wishes to increase output from 140,000 to 500,000.
May 2nd, 2008 at 23:27
Just a correction on the translation of the numbers.
It’s 9 million, not 900 million.
I think what the article means is that Sendai wishes to increase output from 140,000 to 500,000.