Although the name of the company was not officially changed to Sony Corporation until 1958, the first Sony branded product was the TR-55 transistor radio which went on sale in 1955.
This was shortly followed by Sony’s world first "pocketable" transistor radio.
Sony’s UK history began in 1968 when Sony United Kingdom was founded in London. Six years later Sony became the first major Japanese company to open a factory in the UK.
Today there are two factories, both in Wales, at Bridgend and Pencoed, which between them manufacture broadcast cameras, television sets and components for the UK and export to other countries around the world.
Indeed, Sony was awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Export on four occasions in the 80s and 90s.
Today Sony UK employs around 4,500 people in functions including Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing. Sony’s UK Headquarters are located at Brooklands, near Weybridge, in Surrey, on the site of the old Brooklands Racing Circuit, just inside the M25.