Automatic Products Flood Plan

As many of you have heard by now due to problems with the Howard Hanson Dam there is the potential for flooding in the Auburn and Kent valley, Automatic Products has taken a proactive approach to the possibility. We have been working on a plan for the last 3 months to reduce the risk of damage to our facility and equipment, would have little to no impact on our customer base, and allow us to be back in production soon after. In the process we felt it necessary to have a proven plan that could be implemented in 4 hours or less. On the 6th of November we ran the final tests with great success. Following are the measures we have taken:

Customer Support

To continue product delivery, we have all products packaged and palletized so that it can be loaded onto 2 of our delivery trucks and taken off site so that we can continue to make deliveries of finished goods.

Records Protection

Nearly all of our data and records are on the 2nd story offices. Records that are stored on the lower 5’ of vertical file storage unit will be removed and stored on the 2nd level office. With regards to electronic data, we always have off site backups, but in the event of possible flooding a backup will be created and moved off site.

Facility and Equipment Preservation

To accomplish this it is imperative that we keep water out of the facility. Based on the latest maps (attached) in the worst case scenario (maximum release) we could see 0 – 24” of water. We have designed, built, and tested flood barriers for all doors in the building that will support up to 36” of water with minimal water intrusion, we have dewatering pumps capable of removing 40,000 gallons an hour from an 80’ trench drain with catch basin, purchased and filled 800 sand bags, filled wall penetrations with foam, and installed a sewer line check valve.

Power

In the event of an extended power outage, we will obtain generators to supply enough power to run the facility at a level to support your needs.