Butzel Long is proud to be a supporting partner for OESA's Japan Crisis Impact and Management, Town Hall Meeting and Live Webinar. Butzel Long attorney Sheldon Klein will provide an overview how force majeure and other legal issues come into play with this topic.
OESA announces a members-only town hall meeting to discuss the impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami on the automotive industry and what is being done to manage through this crisis. The event is April 4, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy, Mich. This event provides a unique opportunity to participate in an open question and answer session and hear the first-hand results of the OESA “Japan Earthquake Impact Survey,” just being completed by OESA members.
The Japan crisis is an extremely volatile situation and the full impact is not yet completely understood. OEMs are continuing to adjust production schedules as the reality of the situation becomes clearer. This town hall meeting is one important step to help suppliers keep apprised of the latest status. OESA also has a Japan Earthquake Resource Center at http://www.oesa.org where noteworthy information from various sources is available.
Initial OESA Japan Earthquake Impact Survey results indicate that 56 percent of responding companies have operations in Japan, and of those 20 percent experienced damage to facilities. Seventy-four percent of companies source directly from Japan, yet 32 percent of those have been unable to communicate with all of their Japanese suppliers to-date. Sixty-nine percent have established that lower tiers will not be able to meet required release schedules. Dave Andrea, senior vice president, industry analysis and economics, OESA, will summarize the complete results of this survey and respond to member questions.
Japan’s Detroit-based Consul General Matsuda will provide an introduction from the Japanese government perspective. Mike Jackson, director, North American vehicle forecasts, IHS Automotive, will share timely and detailed information on the impact on light vehicle output in Japan and other parts of the globe, as well as implications for suppliers. Mike Stankard, managing director, industrial & materials practice, automotive practice, Aon Risk Services Central, Inc., will lend insight into insurance policy structures, documentation practices and insurance claim process expectations.
Finally, Sheldon Klein, shareholder, Butzel Long, will provide an overview how force majeure and other legal issues will come into play. Following these remarks, there will be a question and comments session to allow two-way dialogue with attendees. Webinar participants will also be able to submit questions.
OESA members may register in the events section at http://www.oesa.org. For registration assistance, contact Felece Hickman at or 248.952.6401 ext. 237. For content information, contact Margaret Baxter at or 248.952.6401 ext. 223.