Tape Media Resellers Take Stock of Supplies Following Tsunami; Sony Updates Situation

Providers of professional media across the country are beginning to limit access to tape, Blu-ray, and XDCAM stock as concerns grow over how long it will take Sony Group manufacturing operations in Japan to return to a state of quasi-normalcy.

A visit to the B&H Photo and Video Web site found HDCAM out of stock and XDCAM unavailable. And Tape Resources CEO Bob Daly, says that in all cases his company will not fulfill large “load up” orders or support any hoarding of product by any customer.

“We will not entertain requests from new customers for any large quantities of these products,” he said in a statement. “And in all cases we will conserve as much product possible.”

Sony Corporation today provided an update on the status of Sony Group manufacturing operations in Japan affected by the March 11 Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake, tsunami, and related power outages.

First, Sony has confirmed the safety of all of its and its group companies’ employees in the region affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The company has also resumed manufacturing operations at several of the manufacturing sites where manufacturing operations had been suspended as a result of damage caused by the earthquake, tsunami and related power outages.

Recovery plans to resume operations at most of the remaining manufacturing sites damaged by the earthquake and tsunami have already begun to be implemented.

At the same time, manufacturing operations at certain manufacturing sites that sustained no direct damage are now being affected by planned power outages as well as shortages of raw materials and components, causing those sites to temporarily suspend a part of their operations. The current situation of each manufacturing site of Sony Group in Japan is set forth below.
Sony says that while manufacturing operations at the following manufacturing sites remain suspended, it has begun inspection, restoration and repair of affected buildings and manufacturing equipment.

The plant of most immediate concern to the sports industry is the plant that manufacturers magnetic tapes, Blu-ray discs, and XDCAM. That plant is Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation, Tagajyo Plant in the Miyagi Prefecture and the company is still in the midst of figuring out next steps to get the plant back on line.

Other products that are built in plants that have suspended operation include optical devices, Lithium ion secondary batteries, CDs, DVDs, and Semiconductor lasers.

And while the Tokai Technology Center in Kosai , where broadcast and professional equipment is built, was not directly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami, Sony plans to temporarily suspend certain parts of its manufacturing operations through March 31, 2011, depending on the availability of necessary raw materials and components

Sony also says it is making every effort to resume normal operations at these sites and, in the event shortages of necessary raw materials and components at these sites continue, it is considering alternatives, including possibly temporarily shifting certain manufacturing operations overseas.

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