Honda is evaluating a series of “counter-measures” should supply chain issues start to impact on UK delivery following last week’s earthquake and tsunami.
The automaker has set up two emergency committees in Japan and the English town of Swindon to monitor components supply issues following the events of last week that have devastated the country.
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The manufacturer has 113 suppliers in the north Japan and has spoken to around half of them to asses any delivery issues. Of those 50 or so, eight have reported serious problems.
“It is not good but it is not devastating,” a Honda UK spokesman told just-auto. “If there is a problem looking forward two, three, four weeks time, we are looking at counter-measures to see if we can source from an alternative supplier.
“Most suppliers have satellites around major plants where they store product for just-in-time delivery – so it is in Swindon. We have been phoning companies in Japan – not just [in] the tsunami [region] but the earthquake-affected area.”
The 113 suppliers are north of Tokyo, where most of the earthquake effects have been felt.
“It is a fast-moving situation,” said the Honda spokesman. “What we are doing is trying [to make] sure there are no holes in the supply chain.”
