Update on Epson’s response to Tohoku area earthquake

TOKYO, JAPAN: Epson issued another update on the situation surrounding its employees and businesses in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Tohoku area of Japan on March 11.

1. Epson employees
Epson deeply regrets that one employee from the Epson Toyocom Fukushima Plant died in the earthquake at Minami-Soma. The company has confirmed the safety of all other staff.

2. Major Epson facilities affected
Epson plants located in the Tohoku area were all affected by the power cut following the strong aftershock that occurred on April 7. However, the company has resumed production at all these plants with the exception of the Epson Toyocom Corporation Fukushima Plant, which is within the evacuation zone around the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station.

(1) Epson Atmix Corp. (Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture: manufacture of powdered metals, components manufactured with metal injection molding, and artificial quartz): Epson steadily resumed production of components manufactured with metal injection molding and artificial quartz from April 4. Manufacturing was temporarily halted as a result of the aftershock on April 7, but has since resumed. The company plans to restart production of powdered metals at the end of this month.

(2) Akita Epson Corp. (Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture: manufacture of printer components, crystal devices, and ultra-precision components): Manufacturing was temporarily halted as a result of the aftershock on April 7, but production of all product lines has since resumed. We will continue production while constantly assessing the power supply situation.

(3) Seiko Epson Corp. Sakata Plant and Tohoku Epson Corp. (Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture: manufacture of inkjet printer components and semiconductors): Although manufacturing was temporarily halted as a result of the aftershock on April 7, we resumed production of inkjet printer components and partial production of semiconductors on April 11. We will continue production while constantly assessing the situation regarding power and components procurement.

(4) Epson Toyocom Corporation Fukushima Plant (Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture: manufacture of crystal devices): This plant has been closed indefinitely.

3. Impact on other businesses
Production may be affected by issues relating to procuring certain components. Epson is now looking to minimize the impact by procuring alternative components and making technical adjustments.

4. Impact on business results
Production may be affected by issues relating to procuring components. Epson is now looking to minimize the impact by procuring alternative components and making technical adjustments.