OEMs Suspend Plant Operations in Japan
Due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan on Friday, March 11, many OEMs have reported damages to their plants in the area and have suspended operations.
Canon reported significant damages to multiple plants, including an inkjet printer manufacturing plant, and 15 employee casualties. So far, the company has suspended eight of its facilities. Although Canon has not specified which plants would be suspended and which would resume, the company has reported that it will consider using undamaged alternate sites in order to continue production.
Canon set up an Earthquake Disaster Recovery Task Force, which will draft a recovery plan. The company is also making a donation of 300 million yen (US $3.22 million) to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Seiko Epson also reported damages to several plans and companies in the Tohoku areas. No employees were hurt in the earthquake or tsunami.
While the safety and whereabouts of all employees of Kyocera Mita have been confirmed, the company has suspended production at two its facilities due to damages. Seven of the company’s plants are reported to resume production in the next couple days.
According to Industry Pulse News, Brother, Fuji Xerox, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Toshiba did not suffer any damages or employee casualties, but each OEM is donating between US$600,000 to US$3 million to relief efforts.