Caterpillar latest manufacturer to warn of production delays after Japan quake
Peoria, IL, United States (AHN) – Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment, said on Friday production could be delayed by the situation in in Japan, becoming the latest company after Fuji Heavy Industries, General Motors and Toyota to be affected by the crisis.
The Illinois-based Caterpillar said its plants in Japan were not damaged by the Mar. 11 quake that struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, whichcaused a 10-meter high tsunami and led to a partial meltdown at a nuclear facility north of Tokyo.
“To date, the disruption to the supply chain in Japan has not stopped production at other Caterpillar facilities around the world; although moving forward, it is possible those facilities may be sporadically impacted,” the company said.
Caterpillar is looking for alternative sources of parts for its machineries, should Japan-based suppliers fail to support provide components to plants outside Japan.
The statement was the second from a U.S.-based company, and the latest from several manufacturers, regarding supply chain issues as a result of the crisis in the Asian nation.
General Motors, the world’s second largest carmaker, said on Thursday it is suspending production at its facility in Shreveport, LA, starting next week due to a shortage of parts from Japan. The plant employs more than 900 workers who build Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks.
Toyota has stopped production at all its plants in Japan but this week assured customers and dealerships in the United States that the impact of the quake and nuclear crisis on North American operations is “limited.”
However, there are growing fears of shortage of the Japanes car maker’s Prius, the world’s most popular hybrid. Toyota had said battery production plans in Japan “are to be determined” and that every effort is being made to “minimize any long-term impact on Prius availability.”
Fuji Heavy Industries has likewise halted production at all its Subaru plants, citing its supply chain and issues in the power supply.
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