FREDERICKTOWN — The natural disasters in Japan have been devastating for the citizens of that country, and local businesses, such as FT Precision, have been feeling the effects, although to a much lesser degree. FTP manufactures automobile parts for Honda, a Japanese automaker.
FTP Vice President Zane Mathis said the plant is not currently operating at full production levels.
“Every line is a little bit different,” he said. “We’ve got some lines that are working five days, some are down to four days, and some are down to three days. If their line is not running, the associates don’t have to come in. They are allowed to go no-pay, no penalty [for being absent]. They don’t have to use vacation time, but they can if they want to.”
The planned expansion of production facilities for two new product lines is coming along well, Mathis said.
“The machines are all on schedule, and we are getting ready to send some people to Japan in mid-May to do the equipment acceptance on some of the machines. Things are on schedule there and hopefully they will stay on schedule.”
“We continue to be very good on our supply side,” said Mathis. “Most of our suppliers are on the west side of Japan, so it hasn’t had an impact on us. We are pretty much monitoring and following what Honda’s schedules are.”
