Sony UK Technology Centre (UKTEC), world-leading manufacturer of professional and broadcast camera systems, announces the creation of over 25 new jobs and the expansion of its Customer Service Centre.
The 26 permanent jobs will be created to support the increased demand across all areas of the manufacturer’s business. This includes its core manufacturing business of professional and broadcast cameras and camera systems, which saw six additional products introduced to the site’s production line in September 2013.
The new roles will be responsible for all aspects of the manufacturing process from logistics to product assembly, product testing and packing.
The roles will also be distributed between Sony UKTEC’s third-party collaborative manufacturing business projects. Employees will work on production lines for products such as advanced LED technology, medical devices as well as the infamous, Raspberry Pi, a credit-card sized mini computer.
Steve Dalton OBE, Managing Director of Sony UK Technology Centre commented: “We’ve had a successful few years, which has seen us expand our Sony product portfolio as well as win significant manufacturing deals of non-Sony products.
“This diversification has been our key to survival. It has lead to our success and enabled us to create additional job opportunities in Wales.”
Additionally, 20 per cent of the roles will be created for the site’s Customer Service Centre as the Pencoed-based business introduces Sony’s next generation products – the Xperia Z Range, which includes the latest in 4G technology – to its offering.
The Xperia Z Range was launched mid-2013 and has seven products including Sony’s latest high-definition smartphones and tablets.
Sony UKTEC will be investing £120,000 to develop the Customer Service Centre to include additional work stations, new equipment to support the 4G technologies built into the Xperia Z Range products as well as extra training for existing and new staff.
Economy Minister, Edwina Hart has welcomed the news and said: “I am delighted to hear that Sony is creating new jobs – the UKTEC is going from strength to strength, winning new business from within the Sony Corporation while also winning significant third-party manufacturing contracts.
“Sony is one of our Anchor Companies making an important contribution to the Welsh economy in terms of jobs, skills development and investment and their latest expansion is great news.”
Mr Dalton, expanded: “For us, quality doesn’t just mean the quality of products. It also means delivering quality customer service. We have built a reputation as a manufacturing centre of excellence, so it is important that our drive to deliver quality is echoed through everything we do, including our customer service offering.
“That is why we are dedicated to building our Customer Service Centre to ensure our European customers have strong, local support.
“The Customer Service Centre is where we provide after sales support on a variety of products from flat screen TVs, digital and SLR cameras, laptops, games consoles and so on.
“As technologies continue to advance, we want to ensure that our employees are developing a wide range of skills to aid in their development. We also want to safeguard customer service roles in Wales for the long term.
“The inclusion of the Sony Xperia Z range to the Centre means we are able to upskill our staff. They will be able to provide additional technical support and if required, specialist repair of highly complex and intricate products which have the latest technological advancements.
“Furthermore, with UKTEC managing the after sales activity of an increased portfolio of Sony professional and consumer products, it adds to the site’s future sustainability.”
The Centre is the technology giant’s main UK and European Customer Service hub providing pre-sale and after sales advice, technical support and product inspection. Additionally, the Centre acts as an upgrades, returns, and repairs facility for all Sony professional and consumer products for customers in the European market.