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The art of manufacturing—Adding value and driving Sony’s growth
Constant manufacturing innovation propels
product creation at Sony
Sony views manufacturing as a core competence.
Over the years, Sony has introduced many revolu-
tionary products as only Sony can do. To cope with
rapidly changing market conditions, even more
manufacturing innovations are being implemented
at Sony. The aim is to restructure the product
creation framework into a knowledge-intensive
process that can generate added value. One
example of this kind of measure is the widespread
adoption of a highly efficient, flexible production
system called the “cell production method.” Other
ongoing projects involve increasing the output of
devices and modules, upgrading core technologies,
such as high-density mounting, and building an
integrated manufacturing process for semiconduc-
tors and components that extends to the point
where they are incorporated on the circuit board
and as parts of products in the assembly process.
Concurrent to this, Sony is assembling a powerful
supply chain management system and raising
overall production-related operating efficiency. The
combined result of these actions is the optimization
of Sony’s engineering and manufacturing systems
for each regional market. Sony is now accelerating
the innovation of its product creation as a vital
factor in maintaining its vitality and continued
ability to flourish and grow.
Integrating distribution with engineering,
manufacturing and customer service axis
To add even more value to its manufacturing opera-
tions, Sony is extending the level of its process
integration over and above the engineering,
manufacturing and customer service axis. Logis-
tics have been seamlessly integrated, and an even
more advanced supply chain management (SCM)
system is being assembled. Close links between
manufacturing and distribution mean products
can reach customers even faster. Also, by execut-
ing logistics reforms in tandem with manufactur-
ing innovation, Sony is cutting the procurement
costs of product components as well as reducing
the inventories of these components and the
finished products themselves. As a result, overall
space utilization at manufacturing and distribu-
tion sites can be enhanced.
Sony believes constant manufacturing and
distribution innovation—even on a daily basis—
will yield continuous improvements, essential to
the Sony Group‘s success.
Strengthening the development, engineering
and manufacturing processes of key components
will accelerate product differentiation
Semiconductors and other new components are
vital to success in the emerging market for digital
consumer electronics. With this in mind, operation
sites in Japan are positioned as hubs to strengthen
the domestic production sites’ ability to produce
advanced modules and components. By stepping
up the output of original and unique components,
Sony is differentiating its products and creating
added value in the manufacturing stage.