FCC plans shutdown

The earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan last month are creating an industrial aftershock in Jay County.
FCC (Indiana), which makes clutch parts for Honda at its Portland plant, has informed its associates that the plant will shut down the week of April 11 because of supply chain issues related to the quake.
Honda of America and its suppliers have long worked on a “just in time” inventory basis, and the disruption of the supply chain of various automotive components can have a complex ripple effect throughout the industry.
While FCC’s facilities in Japan were not directly affected by the earthquake or tsunami, damage to other production facilities around the country have created shortages worldwide, a company statement said today.
After the April 11 shutdown, FCC will continue to keep a close eye on the supply chain and plans to resume operations on Monday, April 18.
Further temporary shutdowns may be necessary, though nothing is certain at this point.
“It’s an inconvenience for us,” said FCC’s Eric Garringer. But he noted that many Japanese families are still looking for the bodies of their loved ones, providing a sense of perspective to those affected by the temporary shutdown.
“We’re blessed that this is our only impact,” he said.
The company statement said that it believes that the world supply chain should begin to improve by July.

Recycling expansion
Jay-Randolph Developmental Services is expanding its aluminum can recycling program.
JRDS has added a can crusher to its Winchester location and is now offering premiums to people who bring in cans for recycling. People will receive an extra five cents per pound of cans during the first weekend of recycling each month.
Those drop off dates will be the first Saturday of the month for Portland and the second Saturday of the month for Winchester.
JRDS, in cooperation with Anheuser Busch, has run the recycling program as a way to provide work for people with disabilities while also helping conserve resources.
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Moved
State Right Music and Sound, Fort Recovery, has moved to a new location as the company has grown.
Owner Steve Merrill will now focus on the company full time including Stage Right Production, which sells and installs sound and light systems for commercial and church use, and Stage Right Music, which sells instruments and equipment to customers.
A grand opening for the shop was held Friday at the new location, 128 N. Wayne St.

REMC directors
Three Jay County REMC director candidates are running unopposed for seats on the electric company’s board.
Steve Affolder, District 1, Steve Ritchie, District 4, and Kenneth Denton, District 8, are all unopposed in re-election to the board.
Affolder has served on the board since 1999, Ritchie since 1993 and Denton since 2008.

Fiber optic line
Adams County Commissioners heard a presentation from a fiber-optics line from a telecommunication company with a location in Portland.
The commissioners heard a presentation this week from Community Fiber Solutions about a fiber-optic that will be run from Jay County to Fort Wayne.
The Lima-based company recently opened a location in the former Gym City building on Tyson Road in Portland. The business plans to start running the line within the month.

Trade fair
Friends of the Conley Inc. will be hosting a Career/Trade Fair at Muncie Central High School April 12.
Area entrepreneurs and skilled tradesmen are invited to participate. There is no cost for companies to attend the fair but table space is limited. Reservations can by made to Myrna Robertson at (765) 288-2257 or by e-mail to [email protected].[[In-content Ad]]