Photos: Panasonic ToughBook factory tour

The factory began in 1990, producing dedicated Word Processing machines, while PC production started in 1991. Panasonic has been producing ToughBook's since 1992. Current production is 360,000 units a year and by 2010 this is planned to increase to one million.

Panasonics's Toshi Harada, who is in charge of the factory said that, "our first job is to destroy the product", and over 1,000 units a year are put through the wringer with the aim Harada said, "to produce high quality." Harada referred to the plant as a "Productive Destruction Facility."

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Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.