Renesas Electronics Restores Automotive Semiconductor Production

Renesas Electronics Restores Automotive Semiconductor Production

Renesas Electronics Corporation, referred to as Renesas Electronics Corporation, announced on August 24 that its Kawashiri Factory in Minami Ward, Kumamoto City, had fully resumed automotive semiconductor production following a temporary suspension caused by the Kumamoto earthquakes. The factory stopped production after an earthquake occurred on July 28 and subsequently underwent safety assessments covering its clean rooms and production facilities. Production gradually restarted on August 4 as safety conditions were confirmed. The facility reached its pre-earthquake production level on the night of August 23 after completing all required safety checks.

Kawashiri Factory Completes Production Recovery

The recovery at the Kawashiri Factory proceeded in stages as Renesas Electronics Corporation evaluated the safety of its clean rooms and other facilities affected by the earthquake. Following the initial production stoppage on July 28, the company began a gradual restart on August 4 rather than immediately restoring full manufacturing activity. This approach allowed Renesas Electronics to complete safety assessments while progressively increasing production. By the night of August 23, all safety checks had been completed, enabling the factory to return to the production levels it maintained before the earthquake disrupted operations.

Naka Factory Production Remains Unaffected

Renesas Electronics also reported that its Naka Factory in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, experienced no damage to its buildings or production facilities following an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5-lower that struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture on August 23. The Naka Factory also produces automotive semiconductors, making its operational status important to the company's manufacturing network. Despite the earthquake, production at the facility was not affected. The company therefore reported that the Naka Factory continued operating without disruption while the Kawashiri Factory completed its recovery and returned to pre-earthquake production levels.

Automotive Semiconductor Manufacturing Stability

The restoration of the Kawashiri Factory brings its automotive semiconductor production back to the level maintained before the July 28 earthquake. Renesas Electronics Corporation completed the recovery after conducting facility and clean-room safety checks and progressively restarting manufacturing activities. The separate assessment of the Naka Factory following the August 23 earthquake also found no damage or production impact. Together, the updates indicate that both facilities have been assessed following the reported seismic events, with Kawashiri returning to its prior production level and Naka continuing production without interruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Renesas Electronics fully resume automotive semiconductor production at its Kawashiri Factory?
Renesas Electronics fully resumed automotive semiconductor production at its Kawashiri Factory on the night of August 23 after completing safety checks following the July 28 earthquake. Production had initially stopped because of the earthquake and gradually restarted on August 4 as the company assessed the safety of clean rooms and facilities. The factory subsequently increased production until it returned to its pre-earthquake level. Renesas Electronics also confirmed that its Naka Factory experienced no damage or production disruption following an August 23 earthquake in southern Ibaraki Prefecture.