News & Analysis
Japan quake: Tracking the status of fabs in wake of disaster
3/14/2011 2:30 PM EDT
Test and measurement companies
Agilent Technologies, the world’s largest test-and-measurement company, reported that its operations in Japan remain unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami. “While we are, of course, greatly concerned by the events of last night, I want to let Agilent’s business partners know we expect no major impact to our operations,” said Bill Sullivan, Agilent president and CEO, in a statement. “We are making an immediate contribution of $100,000 to the International Red Cross through the Agilent Foundation and will match our employees’ contributions,” Sullivan added.
Anritsu reports it has confirmed the safety of all employees. The company’s production bases in the Tohoku region have experienced some damage to fixtures but nothing that should impair ongoing operations. The company reports that initial efforts immediately following the earthquake focused on recovery operations, but a partial and gradual return to normal operation is underway as of March 14. In its latest update, March 15, the company said it planned to restart shipments on March 16. Anritsu said it would prioritize shipments of products that customers have already ordered and in about a week expects to establish a system that can confirm delivery schedules. The company reports that its head office is located within the area served by the Tokyo Electrical Power Co. Ltd. and is preparing a system to ensure that head-office functions are not impaired during planned rolling blackouts.
Rudolph Technologies Inc. chairman and CEO Paul F. McLaughlin reported that the Rudolph facility, located in Takatsu in the southeastern section of Tokyo, was not directly affected by the earthquake or the tsunami. All of the company's employees and their immediate families have been confirmed safe, McLaughlin said in a letter to customers. McLaughlin said the Rudolph Technologies Japan management team and customer-support specialists would work from home when their office is inaccessible due to rolling power outages affecting Tokyo transportation systems. He notes that e-mail communications are fully functional and that mobile phone usage is sporadic but improving. He said customer visits to Northern Japan would resume when closed fabs reopen and added that logistical issues surrounding parts delivery and customer support in other regions of Japan are being addressed on a case-by-case basis. “Overall, we expect these operational issues to improve in the days ahead,” he McLaughlin said. He added that Rudolph has begun an analysis of its supplier and sub-supplier network to ensure it can make new production tools.
Yokogawa Group says it has been able to confirm the safety of its Japan employees but will continue collecting information on their family members and other individuals. The company reports that its manufacturing facilities are distant from the quake epicenter and were not directly impacted by the earthquake or the tsunami. Sales and service offices and facilities located nearer the epicenter suffered only slight damage, the company adds.
Agilent Technologies, the world’s largest test-and-measurement company, reported that its operations in Japan remain unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami. “While we are, of course, greatly concerned by the events of last night, I want to let Agilent’s business partners know we expect no major impact to our operations,” said Bill Sullivan, Agilent president and CEO, in a statement. “We are making an immediate contribution of $100,000 to the International Red Cross through the Agilent Foundation and will match our employees’ contributions,” Sullivan added.
Anritsu reports it has confirmed the safety of all employees. The company’s production bases in the Tohoku region have experienced some damage to fixtures but nothing that should impair ongoing operations. The company reports that initial efforts immediately following the earthquake focused on recovery operations, but a partial and gradual return to normal operation is underway as of March 14. In its latest update, March 15, the company said it planned to restart shipments on March 16. Anritsu said it would prioritize shipments of products that customers have already ordered and in about a week expects to establish a system that can confirm delivery schedules. The company reports that its head office is located within the area served by the Tokyo Electrical Power Co. Ltd. and is preparing a system to ensure that head-office functions are not impaired during planned rolling blackouts.
Rudolph Technologies Inc. chairman and CEO Paul F. McLaughlin reported that the Rudolph facility, located in Takatsu in the southeastern section of Tokyo, was not directly affected by the earthquake or the tsunami. All of the company's employees and their immediate families have been confirmed safe, McLaughlin said in a letter to customers. McLaughlin said the Rudolph Technologies Japan management team and customer-support specialists would work from home when their office is inaccessible due to rolling power outages affecting Tokyo transportation systems. He notes that e-mail communications are fully functional and that mobile phone usage is sporadic but improving. He said customer visits to Northern Japan would resume when closed fabs reopen and added that logistical issues surrounding parts delivery and customer support in other regions of Japan are being addressed on a case-by-case basis. “Overall, we expect these operational issues to improve in the days ahead,” he McLaughlin said. He added that Rudolph has begun an analysis of its supplier and sub-supplier network to ensure it can make new production tools.
Yokogawa Group says it has been able to confirm the safety of its Japan employees but will continue collecting information on their family members and other individuals. The company reports that its manufacturing facilities are distant from the quake epicenter and were not directly impacted by the earthquake or the tsunami. Sales and service offices and facilities located nearer the epicenter suffered only slight damage, the company adds.
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Silicon_Smith
3/15/2011 11:50 AM EDT
Fujitsu seems to have been really impacted badly. No numbers yet, but I am afraid it might really effect their revenue for 2011.
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Luis Sanchez
3/15/2011 4:43 PM EDT
This is a very good note.
It's best to know which factories were damaged so that we can take our precautions. If there are some which will take until july the earliest to be ready that's seems to be quite a big damage! You can't help feeling sorry for all the japanese people.
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goafrit
3/16/2011 1:22 PM EDT
I think the whole of Japan GDP will depress. It will be a miracle if this does not trigger domino bankruptcies for many firms.
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docdivakar
3/16/2011 6:50 PM EDT
This is a good article, thanks EE Times! It is good info on the fabs, but I imagine the effects are even more severe on the ancillaries / ecosystem partners of the Semi fabs.
Even with minimal damages, I am sure there are building code requirements that limit re-opening of facilities without inspection by professional engineers. Looks like we will be in for a drawn-out recovery phase in Japan. In the mean time this is sure going to have an impact on the availability and pricing of many consumer gadgets and devices.
Dr. MP Divakar
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lifewingmate
3/18/2011 11:33 AM EDT
I agree with Dr. Divakar that EE Times did an excellent job on this article providing pertinent details in an overview that spans the entire semiconductor industry in Japan. I send out my thoughts and wishes of full recovery and healing for the people of Japan.
I learned quite a bit about Japan's crucial role in providing limited resources and manufacturing facilities to produce some of the world's most desired electronics. Thank you for this report, EETimes! Hopefully, we can all pitch in globally to help them recover quickly.
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$@ru
3/18/2011 5:41 AM EDT
Hope some new locations like India will get a chance to set up fabs. Now its snowing in Japan. Don't play with nature. if it returns the favour we are helpless.
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Sheetal.Pandey
3/31/2011 6:51 AM EDT
Oh my god! so much of loss would have occured to Japan's economy. Loss of people and loss of resources. But Japan is prone to earthquakes right?
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