Since its presentation at the
photokina 2012, the new Leica M has become extremely popular. The large number
of orders we have received shows the outstanding acceptance of the new M-System
on the market. The enormous demand has by far exceeded our expectations, with
the consequence that delays in deliveries can unfortunately not be avoided.
In the words of Markus
Limberger, COO at Leica Camera AG: “We are very sorry about these delays and
hope you will understand the current situation. Please rest assured that we are
investing an enormous amount of time and effort in the sustainable expansion of
our production capacities, naturally in full compliance with our commitment to
absolute quality. Despite the very high demand, particularly of the Leica M,
the quality of our products and the high-precision in our production maintains
our high standard.”
A significant cause for the
longer waiting times is Leica’s uncompromising manufacturing process in
accordance with the ‘factory’ principle. Just like all other Leica products,
the Leica M is manufactured and assembled in an elaborate manual process that
must satisfy the most stringent demands on precision engineering, painstaking
care and quality. Each Leica M is a handcrafted product in every detail and may
only leave the factory after being tested, checked and adjusted for so long
until its flawless finish and performance are guaranteed and fulfill the
exhaustive quality demands on which the worldwide reputation of Leica is
founded. This commitment to precision and quality has been the the core
principle of Leica manufacturing for almost a century. The endurance,
reliability and perceived value of Leica products have been instrumental in the
creation of the Leica legend.
To ensure that we can
continue to maintain these uncompromising quality standards and simultaneously
reduce order-fulfillment times, Leica Camera AG is currently significantly
expanding production capacities, creating job opportunities for additional
specialists and trainees, and is building a completely new, ultra-modern
factory that will open in Wetzlar in 2014 with facilities to satisfy production
demand. The sum total of these measures will relieve pressures in the
production process and simultaneously lead to considerably shorter order-fulfillment
times.
Maybe Leica should have delayed the introduction of the M and waited until they made a sufficient number of them. Or is this possibly just a marketing ploy? Why do Leica owners keep up with these constant product shortages?
ReplyDeleteI guess it is always easier to criticize. On one hand Leica has been raked over the coals for not being up to date, for the M9 not offering enough to compete. Then, after they come out with a camera which leaves little to be desired, and they are being criticized for bringing it to market too soon. And if that isn't enough, there is always the possibility to make things up. How could anything that is bound to receive negative comments be considered a marketing ploy? What we are seeing here is Leica being a victim of their own success. Demand for Leica cameras and lenses is greater than it has been in a long time. The simple reason for the shortages is that they cannot make enough cameras and lenses to meet demand. Of course the simplistic answer is to increase production. If they were to mass-produce everything, that would be a solution. But luckily Leica does not do that. It is their production methods that ultimately assure the overall quality of their cameras and lenses. They will never deviate from that. The only way to increase production is to hire more qualified people. However, that possibility has been exhausted also because the size of the Solms facility is at its maximum capacity. That problem will be solved after the move to the new Headquarters at Leitz Park in Wetzlar.
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