(March 20, 2011)

A Japan-based Orangeburg automotive part manufacturer has yet to feel any impact in operations following the recent earthquake, company officials say.

Koyo Corp./JTEKT North America's Orangeburg plant manager Jeff Sherrill said the situation is delicate with the top priority and concern being the lives and safety of the Japanese people.

"We have been informed that there are no victims among JTEKT's team members and their families," Sherrill said. "But we recognize this disaster can and will have a lasting effect on Japan and an imminent impact to countries abroad."

There is potential impact on company operations. The plant on U.S. 601 makes automotive ball bearings and employs about 400, according to the Orangeburg County Development Commission.

"We will continue to monitor the situation on a day-by-day basis," Sherrill said. "The main concern would be the shipping lines from Japan to our local Port of Charleston. Right now with some juggling, it appears this shipping pipeline is not being affected."

Sherrill said thus far there is no measurable impact to operations, though "we could experience delivery issues that stem from transportation disruptions, shipping delays from Japan ports, as well as the planned power interruptions that are occurring in Japan," Sherrill said.

He said the company has an ample supply of items. "This inventory level can vary but typically short-term disruptions can be avoided by draining some of our inventory supply," he said.

Sherrill said the company is teaming up with the American Red Cross to provide aid to the people of Japan.



"We encourage all individuals in the Orangeburg area to also donate to their local American Red Cross affiliate so that relief efforts can be supported," he said.

Koyo has three manufacturing plants in the U.S. The others are in Blythewood and Tennessee. The company's U.S. headquarters is Ohio.

An official statement posted on the Koyo website notes there was no damage reported to any of the company's JTEKT plants in Japan as the earthquake damage was north of their operations.

The statement goes on to note, "Due to the anticipated short supply of power, rolling blackouts are planned by the electricity companies for certain districts. These blackouts may affect JTEKT's operations going forward, and we are monitoring this situation very closely."

In a statement, Koyo said quake damage may result in a "growing backlog of unshipped cargo" from the country's northeastern-based airport and seaports.

"We will continue to monitor production and shipments of critical parts and keep customers informed of these important deliveries," the statement notes.

Koyo Seiko Co. Ltd. and Toyoda Machine Works Ltd. merged on Jan. 1, 2006, and became the JTEKT Corp. The company employs about 31,355 worldwide.

Koyo Corp./JTEKT North America is a supplier of steering systems, driveline components and bearings to North American automotive manufacturers. It employs more than 2,900 people in North America at sales offices, technical centers and nine manufacturing locations.

The company is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to Toyota, Honda, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and BMW. Koyo Corp. of U.S.A. opened its facility in Orangeburg in 1975.

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