Nikon Japan has announced it is closing its factory in China which produced its compact cameras, a move it blames on the ‘rise of smartphones.’
Nikon is closing Nikon Imaging (China) Co LTD (NIC), a factory based in Wuxi City, Jiangsu, where it manufactured Nikon’s Coolpix range of compact cameras, as well as lenses for Nikon DSLR cameras.
Nikon’s official statement reads:
…Due to the rise of smartphones, the compact digital camera market has been shrinking rapidly, leading to a significant decrease in operating rate at NIC and creating a difficult business environment. In this context, the Company conducted rounds of thorough reviews and discussions on the global manufacturing structure optimization measures stated in the company-wide restructuring plan announced by the Company in November 2016. The Company has decided to discontinue operations of NIC.
The plant employs some 2,500 workers.
Via Nikon Rumors