Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Tokiwa Mfg Company's future?

This is topic Tokiwa Mfg Company's future? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 12-05-2013, 08:09 PM:

I just saw 2 u-tube videos that Mark Gulbrandsen referred me too
concerning the Tokiwa Projector Factory in Japan.The
first visit was in 1995 showing the small assembly line
and technicians assembling components(i.e.)intermittents,
main gear drive parts,etc.

The second visit by the same man was last year in 2012.It
looked like Tokiwa was still cranking out 35mm Projectors.
I was expecting to see the old style Projectors that I remember
from the 70's shown in the F.B.CECO Catalog;but to my surprise
I was looking at a 21st century projector. Very impressive,
although I pictured Tokiwa as being a Larger Mfg Company.

What I am wondering is are they a die-hard company thats
avoiding the Digital Take over and just building small
numbers of Film Projectors;or is Japan not making the transistion
as fast as the US Market to Digital.

I hate to see Small Companies that make good products go down the
tubes because of technology advancements.I'm just wondering if this
company is going to continue having a future or end up the likes
of US MFGers like Devry,Motiograph,etc. who in their own time were
having to compete with 50's Television onslaught...