Photographic & Optical Equipment/Supplies Manufacturing

Photographic & Optical Equipment/Supplies Manufacturing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry manufacture photographic and optical equipment and supplies, such as cameras, photocopiers, projectors, and film editing equipment, as well as lenses used in scientific instruments and consumer products. Major companies include Bushnell, Coherent, GoPro, and Sony Electronics (all based in the US), along with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Ricoh (all based in Japan), and Zeiss (Germany).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for optical instruments is driven by technological advancements and R&D spending, while demand for photography equipment largely depends on consumer income and corporate spending. The profitability of individual companies depends on product innovation, raw materials costs, and effective pricing. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in design, manufacturing, and purchasing. Small companies can compete effectively by offering more specialized and innovative product lines. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest manufacturers of lenses and optical instruments account for about 80% of revenue in that industry segment, and the top 50 photography and photocopier equipment manufacturers account for more than 90% of segment revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products in the optical equipment manufacturing sector include lenses used in cameras, binoculars, telescopes, weapon sights, and laboratory instruments such as microscopes. Companies in the industry also make interferometers and other optical products that are used to inspect materials in the semiconductor fabrication process. Key products made by photographic equipment manufacturers include digital, film, and motion-picture cameras; photocopiers; projectors; film editing and developing supplies; and photography accessories...