Thursday, October 13, 2011

Benchmark Electronics Halts Thailand Operations Due To Flooding

Angleton, Texas-based Benchmark Electronics reported this morning that its operations in Thailand have been temporarily closed, due to flooding in the area. Benchmark said that its subsidiary, Benchmark Electronics (Thailand) Public Company Limited, has temporary suspended operations in the Tech Industrial Estate in Ayudhaya, Thailand, due to power loss and evacuation orders in the area. Benchmark also said it has moved its equipment and inventory to higher ground, after authorities ordered an evacuation of the area. Thailand has been hit with its worst monsoon rains in over ten years, since the season started in July. Benchmark did not say when it expects to be able to resume operations in Thailand, but it did say it has insurance coverage for flood/water damage to its facilities, in addition to business interruption coverage. Benchmark is not the only company affected by the floods in Thailand; automotive, electronics, and other companies using Thailand as a base have been severely impacted by the floods, and have been reporting shutdowns all week.