January 18, 2019

To:   Our Customers

Re:   Update

Continuing our communication on status of key actions as we work to recover from the fire at our Orange location. We understand that this event has caused an interruption in normal service from us.

  • We have agreement on the purchase of a Press capable of up to 3000T.   It is operable immediately and we should be producing parts in this size range in the next 2 weeks.  We will be working FAI as necessary as we implement
  • Regarding the 2500T press that we have in storage. The refurbishment work has started and we are forecasting a May entry into service.  We are expediting everywhere possible
  • Two of eight presses on site did return to service on January 3rd.  We are running with capability up to 1500T
  • We have deployed 24/7 coverage on the presses in service
  • We have agreement for support from a supplier with capability up to 1500T to supplement our current capacity.  We will implement here, with Quality requirements for FAI supported
  • We have identified product types that will run best on our Cleveland 1500T press and we have begun the process of transition.  We will assure all Quality requirements are met as we implement this capacity in support of Orange requirements
  • We have experienced significant rain for the majority of the past week.  This has limited our access in order to recover tooling and equipment due to safety.  This is supposed to abate beginning today.  We expect this assessment to take up to three weeks.  Thank you in advance for your patience during this process
  • We continue to reconcile actual WIP to system data and we will share this data by customer as it is completed

We know that this event is impacting you.  We appreciate all the calls of support and concern that we’ve received. As we go forward, there is significant work to be completed.  We will continue to work directly with customers to discuss any impact to scheduled deliveries as quickly as possible.  In order to ensure prompt and efficient responses, we ask that if you have questions, please work through your normal point of contact at the Orange facility.

In service,

Pete Knapper

President and Chief Executive Officer