Sony celebrates ‘unprecedented growth’
THE Sony UK Technology Centre is celebrating “unprecedented growth” which has seen staff and production numbers soar, the company has announced.
In the last five years, the Pencoed facility has seen staff numbers leap by 200, taking its team of local employees to 540.
The growth in staff numbers, which has been a huge boost to the local economy, has coincided with a production milestone at the award-winning factory, with Sony UK TEC manufacturing the best-selling British computer of all time.
The facility has celebrated reaching the 10 million Raspberry Pi manufactur- ing milestone after only five years.
Sony UK TEC has played an instrumental role in the journey of the Raspberry Pi, the third best-selling, general-purpose computer of all time globally.
Raspberry Pi was originally manufactured in China, but founder Eben Upton moved production to Sony UK TEC in 2012 due to the facilities, capacity and innovative automated processes.
The facility was first approached to make 10,000 of the low-cost, credit card-sized computers annually.
However, demand quickly soared and Sony UK TEC went onto produce one million in its first year.
Production rapidly grew with numbers reaching five million in just two years and now, at peak capacity Sony UK TEC can make up to 100,000 Pis per week.
Sony UK TEC managing director Steve Dalton said: “The last five years has seen unprecedented growth across our Pencoed facility, something we are understandably incredibly proud of.
“Our growth has been intrinsically linked to the success of the Raspberry Pi and we are delighted to reach the 10 million manufacturing milestone. This is a significant achievement for everyone involved in its production, especially our devoted Sony Team, the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and distributors Premier Farnell.”
Eben Upton, who joined Steve and the Sony staff for a celebration event, said: “Thanks to Sony UK TEC’s unparalleled manufacturing standards, comprising the latest techniques and the very best in engineering talent, we were able to create a product which has become a global bestseller – with 14 million sold, two thirds of which has been built in South Wales.”