Online information source for semiconductor professionals

After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ON Semiconductor was able to restore fab operations at its fabs located in Niigata, Gifu, Kasukawa and Hanyu and Aizu. However, the IC manufacturer has said that services such as fuel, electricity, gases, water, chemicals and other logistical issues have meant that fabs at Aizu and Gunma have been temporarily shut down. Restoration of reliable services was expected to be restored near the end of the first quarter, the company said.

Fabtech had previously outlined that utility, TEPCO had claimed that rolling blackouts within the regions it served would continue through to the end of April. However, TEPCO has been openly criticised in Japan for failing to provide detailed information and indeed misleading or contradictory information regarding blackouts and the nuclear reactor issues at its Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant complex.

Further, ON Semiconductor cautioned that infrastructure issues could cause temporary production disruptions at other locations.

The company said that it was ‘identifying options to shift production to other facilities to support supply continuity for customers.’

“We continue to assess our production facilities, the supply chain infrastructure and the customer impact from the earthquake and tsunami,” noted Keith Jackson, ON Semiconductor president and CEO. “We began posting impact information about our Japan operations last week on the company’s website and will continue to post updates and communicate with our various stakeholders as new information becomes available.”

ON Semiconductor currently owns and operates a total of three production facilities in Japan, located in Aizu, Niigata and Hanyu. Additionally, the company operates another three production facilities leased from SANYO Electric Co. Ltd located in Gunma, Gifu and Kasukawa.