“If and when you open a factory in the U.K., please be sure to remember Wales”

In 1970, when the then HRH (His Royal Highness) the Prince of Wales came to Japan for the Osaka Expo, he met Sony's co-founder Akio Morita at a reception. At that time the King told Morita, "If and when you open a factory in the U.K., please be sure to remember Wales."
In fact, there had been plans to build a factory in the UK even before the King's words, but later, after considering factors such as location, transport links and the environment, it was officially decided to open a color TV factory in Bridgend, Wales as the first foreign company to do so. At Morita's invitation, the King attended the opening ceremony for the factory in 1974, and said, "I never dreamed that the proposal I made to Morita Shacho-san (President) at the World Expo would come true." He also made a humorous speech, stating, "The television images I saw during my tour of the factory were of extremely high quality, so from now on, when I appear on television, I will be in perfect focus."

The Bridgend factory was later visited for inspection by the then Princess Diana in 1982 and 1991. In 1993, when the second color TV factory was opened in Pencoed, Wales, as the current UK Technology Centre, Queen Elizabeth II attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech saying, "I am delighted that Sony's growth and success has contributed greatly to the economy of South Wales".

Sony was recognized for its contribution to the UK through the production of televisions at its two factories that were exported not only to EU countries, but also to Eastern Europe and Africa, as well the environmental conservation initiatives at these factories, winning the Queen's Award for Export Achievement in 1980, 1987, 1990 and 1995, and for Environmental Achievement in 1997. In addition, Morita received the Order of the British Empire in 1992, and in 1995, Sony became the first Japanese company and the first consumer electronics company to be appointed as a supplier to the British royal family.

“This is my factory.”

The Bridgend factory was closed in 2005, but the UK Technology Centre in Pencoed continues to develop as a cutting-edge manufacturing facility producing broadcast and professional-use cameras for domestic and overseas markets, and undertaking contract manufacturing for third parties, including the Raspberry Pi*. In 2014, the King attended the 40th anniversary celebration of the Bridgend office held at the UK Technology Centre, where he said, "This is my factory."
On this year's visit, his first in 10 years, the King was welcomed by Sony employees including Rob Wilson, the site's Managing Director; Kimio Maki, President and CEO of Sony Corporation; and Kazushi Ambe, Senior Executive Vice President of Sony Group Corporation.

The King was then taken on a tour of the 30,000-square-meter state-of-the art facility, where he spoke with the company's representative employees and shown how the site's commitment to innovation, community and excellence in manufacturing and technology have developed in the 50 years since the company has begun operating in Wales.
In the camera super assembly cell, the King applied the Sony logo to the 30,000th HD camera to be produced at the site and packaged it. Moving to the Raspberry Pi production line, the King also packed the 50 millionth Raspberry Pi produced at the Pencoed site in a commemorative box.

The King completed the tour of the facility in the reception area, where he met with employees. To round off the tour, Maki thanked the King for his visit, saying, "It is truly an honor to be with you as we commemorate 50 years in Wales. This achievement is a testament to the enduring relationship between Sony and the Welsh Government and, indeed, the unwavering support from the Royal household".

Further details about the tour can be viewed on The Royal Family Channel("King Charles Visits Sony to Mark 50 Years of the Tech Giant in Wales")on YouTube.