Pentax Press Release

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce that it will expand the production capacity of PENTAX VN Co., Ltd., the company’s overseas subsidiary based in Vietnam, with the construction of a second plant. PENTAX VN specializes in the manufacture of optical instruments and components. This move is made to prepare for the expected increase in demand for interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras, as well as to respond to intensifying price competition in both the domestic and international markets.

In addition to the current plant, which has 6,700m² of floor space, PENTAX will build a new 6,000m² plant within the same PENTAX VN compound by October 2006. The total number of employees at PENTAX NV will also be increased from 700 to 900. With the inauguration of the new plant, PENTAX VN’s lens production capacity will grow from the current one million units a month to 1.6 million units.

Since its foundation in 1995, PENTAX VN has mainly manufactured interchangeable lenses for PENTAX-brand SLR cameras and CCTV lenses. In recent years, digital compact camera lenses and cellular phone camera lenses have been added to its product lineup, making it the main production base for PENTAX lenses.

Under the ongoing three-year mid-term management plan (effective from April 2004 to March 2007), PENTAX Corporation has made a thorough review of its business foundation, and is carrying out comprehensive restructuring of its production bases worldwide, in order to optimize the production capacity and efficiency of the entire PENTAX group. The construction of the new plant at PENTAX VN has been planned and implemented as part of this management plan.

Overview of PENTAX VN Co., Ltd.

Name PENTAX VN Co., Ltd.
Foundation 1995
Address Sai Dong B, Industrial Zone, Thach Ban Village, Gia Lam District, Hanoi, VIETNAM
Capital US$ 7 million ( 100% subsidized by PENTAX Corporation )
President Mitsuo Miura
Total area 35,000m²
Floor space 8,800m² ( 6,700m² for current plant; 2,100m² for other facilities )
Business activities Manufacture of optical instruments and components

Overview of New PENTAX VN Plant

Site Within current PENTAX VN compound
Capital
investment JPY 780 million ( plant structure and production facilities combined )
Construction
commencement March 2006 ( tentative schedule )
Construction
completion October 2006 ( tentative schedule )
Floor space 6,000m² ( new plant only )
Construction type One-story, steel-frame structure