Fujifilm breaks ground on new African Technology Centre in Sandton

Fujifilm South Africa has cemented its ongoing commitment to South Africa with the construction of new head office in Sandton. Once finished the five-story, 999m² building will incorporate office space, a Fujifilm repair centre, and importantly, also the Fujifilm Technology Centre Africa.

Fujifilm customers will be able receive up-to-date training and go hands-on with a range of products and solutions.

The Fujifilm Technology Centre Africa is the only one of its kind on the continent, providing a demo and training centre for the company’s different departments. This includes innovative solutions from Graphic Communication (wide format printing, packaging, commercial digital and commercial offset), Medical Systems (radiography, mammography, pathology, X-ray diagnostics), as well as Imaging Solutions (Instax instant cameras and printers, Fujifilm X-series and GFX mirrorless cameras).

These regional headquarters could potentially unlock opportunities for biotech start-ups in Africa to benefit from Fujifilm’s recently announced $60 million VC fund that targets early-stage development.

“This year marks the tenth anniversary of Fujifilm establishing a subsidiary in South Africa, and what better way to reaffirm our commitment to the country than with the construction of this new head office in Sandton,” noted Fujifilm South Africa MD Taro Kawano at the sod turning ceremony.

“What I’m most excited about is further serving our local customers through the Fujifilm Technology Centre Africa, where there will be a training and demo centre available to help showcase the latest Fujifilm products and services. I would like to thank all our partners involved in the construction of this significant new office space in Johannesburg.”

The new head office is designed by Empowered Space Architects and will be constructed to fall in line with the FUJIFILM Holdings climate action targets: to produce net zero carbon emissions by the fiscal year ending March 2041.

Initial energy efficient solutions for the new building include the use of motion sensor and day/night lighting, energy efficient plumbing that consumes less water, the harvesting of rainwater, and the installation of solar panels on the roof.

The building forms part of Fujifilm’s ongoing commitment to the country, following the opening of a new office and repair centre in Cape Town last year. This partnership will also unlock further business development and technology sharing opportunities.

Read more: Local biotech startup secures $47-million

Images supplied by Fujifilm South Africa