Sony shifts manufacture of HDC-4300 camera to Wales

It is the first time that the 2/3-inch sensor 4K camera for covering sports and live events has been made outside of Japan.

The camera will continue to be manufactured in Japan, but Pencoed will serve the European market.

The first HDC-4300 built at the factory was made in January.

The south Wales facility will make around 25 units per month.

Sony described the move as a “significant boost for manufacturing in Wales showing confidence in the facility’s reputation for innovation and the abilities of its highly skilled team”.

The Sony UK Technology Centre (TEC) at Pencoed has been producing broadcast technology since 1999, manufacturing cameras and camera systems for worldwide distribution and shipping more than 13,000 units every year.

Sony UK TEC managing director Steve Dalton said: “For our facility to have been chosen as the only manufacturer outside of Japan to deliver these next generation cameras is fantastic news for Sony UK TEC.

“This is one of many new, exciting ventures for our facility and our highly skilled teams, and we welcome this extremely progressive period here at Pencoed.

“Sony UK TEC was specifically chosen to manufacture this next generation technology thanks to its world-class production capabilities and expertise in creating high-end, low volume, high-value products.”

The Pencoed facility also houses a Business Incubation Centre and a 30,000 sq ft filming facility known as Sony Ffilm Factory 35 that opened in March last year.