The Evolution Of Canon Cameras: Where Are They Made?

Canon is a Japanese company and most of its production takes place in its main facility in Oita, Japan. However, Canon has expanded its manufacturing and production to other countries in South and East Asia, including China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, India, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The company's decision to diversify its manufacturing bases is influenced by various factors, including labour costs and the desire to bring production closer to target markets.

Canon's main manufacturing facility is in Oita, Japan

Canon is a Japanese multinational corporation with headquarters in Ōta, Tokyo. The company was founded in Japan in 1937 and has since become one of the most competitive camera makers in the world. Its products are used by millions of people, including popular YouTubers and vloggers.

The Oita factory employs around 3,254 people and has been operating since 1982. Canon has moved this factory away from the traditional assembly line production method and instead utilizes cell-based production, with teams of up to 20 workers. Each team can assemble 500 camcorders in an eight-hour shift.

Canon's Oita facility is also a hub for innovation and experimentation. It is where the company develops and tests prototypes for newer, more high-end cameras. Canon's commitment to research and development in this facility ensures that they remain at the forefront of the industry.

While Canon has expanded its manufacturing and production to other countries in Asia, its main facility in Oita, Japan, remains pivotal to the company's operations and reputation for high-quality imaging products.

Other Asian countries that manufacture Canon cameras

Canon is a Japanese company, and most of its production takes place in its main facility in Oita, Japan. The Oita factory makes some of Canon's most popular models, such as the EOS 6D, EOS 7D, and EOS 5D Mark III and Mark IV. The factory also manufactures camcorders and EF lenses. In addition to Oita, Canon has other manufacturing facilities in Japan, including Ibaraki, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, and Kanagawa.

However, Canon has expanded its manufacturing operations to other Asian countries. In addition to Japan, Canon cameras are made in Hong Kong, China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Canon's presence in these Asian countries started in the 1970s when the company established a manufacturing facility in Taiwan. Over the years, Canon has built several large production facilities in these countries, employing thousands of people.

One of Canon's largest production facilities outside Japan is in Guangdong Province, China. This facility has been manufacturing digital cameras, digital video camcorders, and lenses since 1990. Another large facility is in Taichung City, Taiwan, employing over 4,000 skilled workers as of 2019.

Canon's decision to expand its manufacturing operations to other Asian countries was likely influenced by the cheaper labour costs in these regions. However, in recent years, there has been a push to bring production back to Japan, with the company announcing plans to build a new digital camera plant in southwestern Japan. This move is partly due to increasing labour costs in Asia and the availability of advanced automation technology in Japan.

Canon's new digital camera plant in southwestern Japan

Canon is a Japanese multinational company, headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, and is one of the largest camera manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in Japan in 1937 and has since expanded its manufacturing and production to other countries in South and East Asia.

Canon's main digital imaging product plant is the Ōita Factory in Ōita, Japan. The plant manufactures products such as the PowerShot, IXUS compacts, DSLR cameras, and camcorders. The factory employs around 4,000 workers and is known for its swift, cost-effective, automated, and precise manufacturing process.

In addition to the Ōita Factory, Canon has several other manufacturing facilities in Japan, including:

• Ibaraki: Home to Canon Optron, Inc., which produces optical crystals for cameras, telescopes, and vapor deposition materials.
• Nagasaki: The largest city in the Nagasaki Prefecture, housing Nagasaki Canon Inc., a top-end production line of digital cameras and network cameras.
• Miyazaki: Miyazaki Canon Inc. specialises in making digital cameras and packaging electronic items, with a medium-sized facility employing 1,104 people.
• Kanagawa: OHARA Inc. is located in Sagamihara-Shi, Kanagawa, and manufactures optical and special glasses for Canon products.

Canon also has manufacturing facilities outside of Japan, including in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, and Sweden. However, the company has recently shifted its focus towards bringing manufacturing back to Japan, with plans to build a new digital camera plant in southwestern Japan.

This new plant in southwestern Japan is part of Canon's effort to bring production back from abroad. Advanced automation technology is key to this initiative, as it helps to offset the strong yen and higher labour costs in Japan compared to other countries. By investing in robot-run digital camera plants, Canon aims to increase its domestic production capabilities and maintain its position as a leading camera manufacturer.

Canon's largest production facilities outside Japan

Canon is a Japanese multinational company that specializes in optical, imaging, and industrial products. With headquarters in Ōta, Tokyo, it has expanded its manufacturing and production to other South and Eastern Asian countries.

Canon's largest production facilities outside of Japan include:

China

Canon Zhuhai, Inc., located in Guangdong Province, China, is one of Canon's largest production facilities outside of Japan. Established in 1990, the facility manufactures digital cameras, digital video camcorders, and lenses. However, it was recently shut down due to rapid changes in the Chinese economy and a reduction in demand, exacerbated by COVID and chip shortages.

Taiwan

The facility in Taiwan, located in the Tan Tzu District of Taichung City, is one of Canon's largest sites. According to 2019 data, the facility employs 4,335 skilled personnel. Taiwan manufactures a good chunk of all Canon lenses outside the L-series, including entry-level DSLR lenses, point-and-shoot cameras, and camcorders.

Malaysia

Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., located in Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, specializes in EF lenses and optical lenses. Although it is not directly connected to camera manufacturing, it plays a crucial role in the process. Malaysia has become a hub for electronics manufacturing due to its low production costs and skilled workforce.

Brazil

Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda. is located in the Distrito Industrial neighborhood of Manaus, Brazil. The facility primarily manufactures photographic and photocopying equipment, including digital cameras, according to the official Canon website.

Germany

Canon Giessen GmbH, located in Giessen, Germany, is a centralized camera repair center and manufactures other printer-related equipment. The company has been operating in Germany since 1972.

Sweden

Axis Communications AB, located in Sweden, is responsible for the development and sales of surveillance cameras and solutions. However, they do not work with digital cameras or DSLRs.

Canon's camera subsidiaries and affiliates outside Japan

Canon has expanded its manufacturing and production of cameras outside of Japan to other countries in South and East Asia, as well as the United States. The company has 16 manufacturing facilities and affiliates across these countries, which produce a range of Canon-branded products, including cameras, optical lenses, and printing devices.

Canon's subsidiaries and affiliates outside Japan include:

• Brazil: Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda. manufactures photographic and photocopying equipment, including digital cameras.
• Germany: Canon Giessen GmbH is a centralised camera repairing centre and manufactures printer-related equipment.
• Sweden: Axis Communications AB develops and sells surveillance cameras and solutions.
• China: Canon Zhuhai, Inc. is one of Canon's largest production facilities outside Japan, manufacturing digital cameras, digital video camcorders, and lenses.
• Taiwan: One of Canon's largest facilities, employing 4335 skilled personnel as of 2019.
• Malaysia: Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. specialises in EF lenses and optical lenses.
• United States: Canon Virginia, Inc. manufactures laser beam printers and refurbishes copying machines.
• Vietnam: Canon Vietnam Co., Ltd. is a production site for inkjet printers.
• Thailand: Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand) Ltd. manufactures copying machines, inkjet printers, and facsimile machines.

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