7 April 2011

Sony Shiroishi laser fab partially resumes operation

Tokyo-based electronics firm Sony Corp has given an updated on the status of its manufacturing operations affected by the East Japan earthquake, tsunami and related power outages of 11 March.

As of 14 March, operations at ten Sony Group sites and facilities had been suspended. As announced on 22 March, manufacturing operations at three of these sites had since resumed or partially resumed.

Now, manufacturing operations at five further sites have also resumed or partially resumed. The latter include the fabrication plant of Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor Inc in Miyagi Prefecture (close to Sendai) which makes semiconductor lasers including blue laser diodes for both Sony’s own Blu-ray Disc and PlayStation3 products as well as external customers.

As also announced on 22 March, operations at five manufacturing sites that were not directly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami have been adjusted in response to planned power outages and the availability of necessary raw materials and components. While the situation varies according to product, Sony is responding to fluctuations in material or component supply by adjusting production levels at these sites, as well as at certain other domestic and overseas manufacturing sites from time to time.

Sony says that it will continue to monitor the availability of raw materials and components, and endeavor to maintain supplies of any products affected by the adjustments by relying on existing inventory to the extent available. It also plans to take further measures as necessary, including reallocating available materials and components among Sony Group companies, using alternative components and expanding procurement channels in order to restore full production capacity as early as possible.

Sony says that it is continuing to evaluate the full impact of the earthquake, tsunami and related power outages (including the impact of these production adjustments) on its businesses and consolidated financial results.

Tags: Sony Corp

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