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AME Media Supply
Sony Expands U.S. Recording Media Hub; Advanced Metal Evaporated Media
Technology Launched Here For First Time
DOTHAN, Ala., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Magnetic Products of America
(SMPA), a unit of Sony Electronics Inc. and its Recording Media and
Energy Group, today unveiled a facility expansion that will enable it to
manufacture advanced metal evaporated (AME) tape -- the latest
technology in recording media.
The grand opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the
facility's new AME division in Dothan. Local and state government
officials joined Sony representatives from around the world at the
event.
Building construction began in January 1998, just one year after
Nobuyuki Idei, president and co-chief executive officer of Sony
Corporation [NYSE:SNE - news], announced the expansion on the site's
20th anniversary. The facility will commence production this month.
''This day marks a new phase of data media production in Dothan,'' said
Barry Singletary, president of SMPA. ''I am proud of the facility's
swift preparedness for this technology under such an aggressive
timetable. We have further positioned ourselves at the forefront of AME
tape technology production.''
AME production, previously housed in Japan, will now be closer to the
growing U.S. marketplace.
''We decided to set up an AME operation here at Dothan to meet and
promote market demand in the U.S.,'' said Minoru Morio, chief technology
officer of Sony Corporation. ''This is in line with Sony's principle to
manufacture close to its end markets.''
AME is Sony's most powerful recording media technology. Because it is
manufactured in a vacuum chamber, it does not require the use of a
traditional binder found in most magnetic tapes. As a result, the
coating contains a higher percentage of magnetic material, which
provides higher output signals necessary in small-format digital
recording.
AME has also achieved new levels of durability by virtue of Sony's
Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating, a protective layer applied as a final
step in the manufacturing process.
The Dothan facility will initially manufacture AME to use in data
storage products, such as Advanced Intelligent Tape(TM) (AIT) and
Mammoth cartridges. Digital video products, including consumer DV and
professional DVCAM(TM) videotapes, also utilize AME.
''The start-up of our new AME operation will advance Sony's leadership
in the digital age,'' said Dr. Teruaki Aoki, president and COO of Sony
Electronics. ''It will allow us to effectively meet the needs of our
customers, enhance our contribution to Sony globally and reinforce our
value to the Dothan community.''
In full operation, the AME division will primarily be staffed by current
Sony employees in Dothan who either already have electro-mechanical
skills or will obtain formal technical training in AME technology.
''Fortunately, we have highly-skilled employees who can segue into AME
manufacturing or can easily learn the necessary skills,'' said Maria
Paredes, director of AME division operations.
SMPA was established in 1977 with 55 employees to produce recording
media for the U.S. and international markets. Today, the plant has more
than 1,000 employees involved in the manufacture of consumer and
professional videotape, audio tape and storage media.
Headquartered in Park Ridge, N.J., Sony Electronics has more than 26,000
employees in manufacturing, engineering, customer service, sales and
marketing at more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The company
had revenues of $10.5 billion in the fiscal year that ended March 31,
1998, making it the first Sony subsidiary worldwide to break the $10
billion milestone. A 1998 Harris Poll of consumers named Sony the ''best
brand in America'' for the second time in three years.
SOURCE: Sony Electronics
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