Canon Information Systems Research Australia (CiSRA), the Sydney-based Australian research subsidiary of the Japanese electronics giant, will shut down next month after 29 years, with the remaining 35 workers to be made redundant. Australian inventor Kia Silverbrook, developer of Memjet high-speed digital inkjet technology, was CiSRA ED from 1990-1994.
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| (image: CiSRA) |
The closure announcement came in a joint statement issued in Tokyo and Sydney by Canon Inc. and Canon Australia:
“Since its establishment in 1990 against the backdrop of growing digitalization needs, CiSRA has been carrying out research and development for digital imaging technology and related applications and solutions for Canon products,” the statement says.
“However, in the face of such changes in the business environment as maturing markets and the rapidly accelerating pace of technological innovation, Canon has determined that CiSRA has fulfilled its original purpose.
“As a result, all development-related CiSRA operations will be concluded by mid-April, after which Canon will begin procedures for the company's closure.”
One of seven R&D centres operated by Canon globally, CiSRA once employed 350 people but the number of researchers has declined steadily over recent years. The company’s most recent LinkedIn update puts the number of staff at 130, with an annual turnover of more than A$50m.
Local tech website iTnews says more than 40 people employed by CiSRA were made redundant last month and another 35 jobs will be lost next month when the business closes.
CiSRA was focused on researching advanced technologies for Canon's future businesses, applying new technologies in Canon's business and consumer products, and developing and licensing technology solutions for Canon and other clients.
Australian inventor, scientist and entrepreneur Kia Silverbrook was executive director of CiSRA from its inception in 1990 until 1994. It is believed he developed Memjet high-speed digital inkjet technology around the same time. Silverbrook is one of the most prolific inventors in the world and had been granted 4,744 US utility patents as of 19 December 2017.
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| CiSRA was located at Canon Australia, 5 Talavera Rd, Macquarie Park NSW |
