Thai Floods Take Benchmark Offline
AYUDHAYA, THAILAND -- Benchmark Electronics' Thailand subsidiary has temporarily suspended operations as a result of flooding in the surrounding areas of the EMS company's campus here.
As of Thursday night US time, the Hi-Tech Industrial Estate where the company resides lacked power, and officials had ordered an evacuation of the area. Benchmark said it has moved equipment and inventory to higher ground and its facility had not been flooded. However, a dike surrounding the Hi-Tech Industrial Estate has been compromised.
Benchmark said it is focused on restoring operations to full production levels as quickly as conditions permit.
Chief executive Cary T. Fu, "We have begun assessing the impact of the temporary suspension of our operations in Thailand. Our teams are working on recovery plans jointly with our customers to ensure customer needs are met thru various options currently, including shifting production to other facilities."
Yesterday, CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY noted Fabrinet and other electronics manufacturers in the area had either officially closed or were effectively shut down by the high waters, which some are calling a 100-year-flood.
