August 2, 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.

  • There are no changes from our last update. The work to full recovery continues on pace.
  • The purchased press in Michigan is continuing to support production without interruption since our last report.
  • Our 2500T Ring Die capable press is in production. Output continues to improve although productivity continues to be impacted by intermittent downtime required to implement corrections to the hydraulic system.
  • Refurbishment of the 2500T and the 2000T presses is on schedule. Both are forecasted to be back in service by late September. We are utilizing two different specialists in order to speed the timeline as much as possible.
  • The damaged building repair work which began in mid-May is also on schedule. The General Contractor is committed to support bringing the first press back into production by mid-September.
  • 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.

With our third-party support and purchased press in place and producing product, we’ve implemented all current options for containment. Our top priority has been and continues to be safely supporting our customers. We are also focused on returning the site to full production. This will take some months. Our next update will be posted August 16th.

In service,

Pete Knapper

President and Chief Executive Officer