Coronavirus effect on the camera production: Canon halts 5 factories, while Fuji China factiry reopens again

The Japanese website Newswitch published a detailed report about the effect of the Coronavirus induced production stop in China. Here is the google translated text:

The effects of the spread of the new coronavirus on digital camera production have begun to appear. The largest company, Canon, will suspend production at its domestic factory that produces digital cameras and related parts for two weeks. Competitors continue to operate the factory, but are wary of the difficulties in supplying parts from China. The hosting events have been canceled and exhibition facilities have been closed temporarily, which may affect sales.

Canon suspended production at its five offices in Oita, Miyazaki and Nagasaki prefectures, which manufacture digital cameras and related components, until February 13. Due to delays in the supply of parts from China, the company will maintain a constant inventory of parts and maintain production efficiency by relocating working days to other dates within the year.

Nikon has digital camera-related production bases in Miyagi and Tochigi prefectures in Japan and Laos, Thailand, and China outside of Japan. New products are being released on the same schedule as announced, but as many logistics have stopped in China, the company is closely watching the effects of the future.

Olympus also operates its Vietnam and domestic affiliates as usual. Fujifilm resumed operation on February 10 at a digital camera assembly plant in Suzhou, China, which had been closed since the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year). Toshihisa Iida, General Manager of Optics and Electronic Imaging Division)

Promotional activities and customer service are also affected. Major companies have decided to temporarily close galleries, showrooms, and repair windows, and to discontinue sponsored events. In particular, exhibiting products may lead to the spread of infection because an unspecified number of visitors will touch them. As the market continues to shrink, it is likely that the industry will have to reduce the number of important opportunities to promote the appeal of digital cameras.

via Digicameinfo