How are Cast Aluminum Parts for Music made? Music has been one of the oldest fields of human knowledge. Ever since civilization prospered, people have had experimented with music through different materials from nature. Woodwind instruments were made from carved …
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Compass Automotive Group Acquires Aluminum Die Casting and Machining Business from Citation Corporation
FRANKLIN, Ind.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Compass Automotive Group, Inc, a leading provider of aluminum and magnesium component solutions to car makers and Tier I automotive suppliers, today announced that it has acquired the aluminum die casting and machining operations of Citation Corporation (“Citation”), a full-service supplier of metal components to the transportation and industrial industries. Compass will absorb the Citation business, located in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Michigan, into its current die cast operations, which produce highly engineered aluminum and magnesium components utilized in steering, engine, and safety systems for nearly every automaker in North America. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Compass, a portfolio company of Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P., operates a broad automotive platform that manufactures safety-critical aluminum and magnesium automotive components utilizing high pressure die casting, squeeze casting, and a proprietary VRC/PRC casting process. Compass’s principal customers include Asian, European, and North American OEM’s, as well as major Tier 1 suppliers.
“With efficient casting equipment and in-house machining capability, Citation’s operations are a great complement to the Compass platform,” said Jim Squatrito, CEO of Compass Automotive Group. “Despite its current turmoil, the auto industry is here to stay, and Compass will continue to seek additional market share and assets as the automotive supply chain continues to consolidate. The acquisition of these Citation facilities extends our operations into machining and greatly expands our offering of high-quality and cost-effective components to the industry.”
“The Citation acquisition is an important further step in building a strong Monomoy platform in the safety critical automotive components manufacturing space,” said Justin Hillenbrand, a Monomoy partner. “The Grand Rapids and Lowell facilities are valuable assets that will strengthen Compass in the short term and position the Company to grow as the economy stabilizes. Compass remains a financially stable business in a very difficult industry, and Monomoy continues to review a compelling set of acquisition opportunities in the automotive supply chain that can add value and breadth to the Compass business platform.”
About Compass Automotive Group, LLC
Compass Automotive Group, LLC is a leading provider of engineered component solutions to OEM’s and Tier I automotive suppliers. It was formed in July 2007 by Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P. to consolidate safety critical component manufacturers in the automotive supply chain. Compass is the corporate parent of Casting Technologies Company, a casting manufacturer utilizing proprietary squeeze casting and VRC/PRC processes to produce safety critical, premium grade aluminum suspension components, cross-members and compressor scrolls; Magnesium Aluminum Corporation, a die cast manufacturer of aluminum and magnesium steering wheels, steering components, and airbag enclosures; and SRC, the leading North American manufacturer of magnesium flux, a refining agent used in the production of industrial aluminum and magnesium. Compass employs more than 600 team members in Detroit and Fruitport, Michigan; Franklin, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Matamoras and Chihuahua, Mexico; and produces parts for cars, motorcycles and light trucks sold in North America, Europe and Asia.
About Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P.
Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P. is a $280 million private equity fund that makes controlling investments in middle market companies that require operational or financial restructuring. Monomoy targets fundamentally sound businesses with revenues of less than $300 million and acquires businesses through bankruptcy proceedings, out-of-court restructurings, corporate divestitures and other complex transactions. The Fund has completed 21 transactions over the past 36 months in the smaller end of the middle market and currently owns 11 platform business that collectively employ more than 9,000 people. For additional information on Monomoy and its portfolio companies, please visit www.mcpfunds.com.
Kinetic Die Casting Company can manufacture aluminum car parts, aluminum hardware, and Aluminum Lighting Partsaluminum lighting parts
Contech may sell 6 Diecasting Plants to Revstone
The US federal bankruptcy court overseeing the reorganization of Contech LLC. is studying a petition to sell the group’s six metalcasting operations to a private-equity group, Revstone Industries LLC.
According to reports, Revstone has offered a reported US$14 million for the operations. The offer is the only bid exceeding the plants’ liquidation value.
Since March, Michigan-based Contech LLC has been seeking for buyers for its six diecasting plants in the country. It filed for bankruptcy protection in January in Detroit after it had been acquired in 2007 by Marathon Asset Management LLC. It produces and machines aluminum and magnesium diecastings, steel forgings, and fabricates tubular steel products and has nine US plants. The six casting facilities are in Michigan, Indiana and Tennessee.
Contech also is looking to divest Contech Operating UK Ltd, in Welshpool, Wales, to Hicorp Ltd for about US$4 million. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing does not cover Contech UK.
Kinetic Die Casting manufactures aluminum military parts, aluminum hardware, and aluminum die castings. Visit our website for a quote: Kinetic Die Casting Company
Ford UAW Expected to Reduce Hourly Rates
Ford’s UAW Expected to Reduce Hourly Rates, Benefits to Compete with Foreign Automakers
UAW members at Ford Motor Co. have ratified modifications to the UAW Ford 2007 labor agreement. Fifty-nine percent of production workers and 58 percent of skilled-trades workers voted for the agreement in balloting that took place at UAW Ford locations throughout the U.S.
According to Ford company officials March 11, these approved concessions are expected to lower the hourly wage rate at Ford to $55/hour in 2009, including benefits, pensions and bonuses. According to company estimates from December, foreign competitors’ hourly rates in the U.S. were around $48-49/hour and are expected to rise in the future. Company officials stated that they expect to be in parity with the competitor’s rates within a couple of years.
The concessions in the ratified agreement are expected to save Ford $500 million annually beginning in 2010, and will save about three-fourths of that in the remainder of 2009. Half of those savings will come directly from the cut in bonuses and benefits. Ford will also be offering revised buyout options, from April 11 to May 22, to all hourly employees, except for certain highly skilled positions.
These modifications will help Ford remain on track to deliver their key business and financial goals over the next few years, according to company officials.
Types of aluminum die casting parts
Types of aluminum die casting parts. Companies engaged in aluminum die casting will generally use four major parts in their metalworking process. These parts are the vital components in the process of using very high pressure to force the molten aluminum into a steel mold that is reusable for many times. This multiple usage of the steel mold enables the mass-production of important parts for commercial, industrial and consumer products.
The most basic of all aluminum die casting parts is the single-cavity mold. It is a one-dimensional mold and is utilized to produce just a single component. Frequently, the single-cavity die is employed in products with sophisticated shapes or in medium to large sized products.
Another aluminum die casting part is the multiple-cavity mold used to manufacture several identical parts. Using multi-cavity molds contributes to production efficiency as many parts could be manufactured in one casting.
Aluminum die casting manufacturers likewise use unit dies which works almost similar to the single-cavity mold. Casting with a unit die turns out different parts one at a time and would be ideal for components that require some special attention, such as strength and non-porosity. Finally, a combination die may also be utilized in aluminum die casting, which as its name suggests puts together several die casting parts in one assembly.
COAST DIE CASTING COMPANY
July 3rd, 2009 Richard White agreed to sell Coast Die Casting Company to Kinetic Die Casting Company. The economy has hurt the operations of Coast Die Casting severely to the point that Coast was unable to fill their open purchase orders. The owner of Coast Die Casting Company felt it was a good time to retire so he closed down his die casting operations. The customers of Coast Die Cast company are getting their parts again from a good source.
Kinetic Die Casting manufactures a lot of aluminum rooftile plates , trim tile molds, and military die casting. If you would like a quote, please visit our website: Kinetic Die Casting Company
US Die Casters Report Sourcing Returning to the USA
NADCA Wheeling, IL, February 26, 2009 – There is little doubt that the die casting industry is facing its share of challenges during these economic times. Die casters have had to take every measure possible to maintain a profit and stay afloat. However, good news seems to be on the horizon.
In a recent survey of U.S. die casters, 78% reported that they have seen die casting parts come back from overseas during the last two quarters. According to these reports, die cast components are returning to the U.S. for three main reasons: concerns about part quality, customer-supplier proximity and overseas logistics.
Andy Stroh said his company has recently been seeing interest from OEMs wanting to bring some components back because of offshore quality issues. “One company has talked to us about bringing some parts back — particularly plated or painted parts,” he said. “Poor packaging results in parts getting damaged during shipment.”
Another prominent reason components are returning to the U.S. is because OEMs want closer proximity to their supply base. “We are tooling up an aluminum die cast part for a company in Green Bay, WI that was previously made in China,” said Stroh. “The customer had quality issues with the part and difficulties relaying part changes effectively. That’s why we got the work – because of our proximity to the customer, understanding of their needs and our willingness to build the new tool quickly.”
Eric Treiber’s company won some business because of both offshore quality issues and proximity to their customer.
“We have, within the last year, produced castings that were previously sourced offshore,” he said. “It is our understanding that two magnesium castings we produce, which were previously sourced offshore, were brought back to the U.S. for reasons of quality and proximity of the supply base.”
In part, manufacturing logistical issues with offshore sourcing have become more prevalent, according to some industry experts. The simple fact is that the distance between OEMS and their offshore suppliers makes it too costly and time-consuming for them. Heightened shipping costs and longer cycle times reduce, and in some instances, negate the cost savings of sourcing offshore.
Burl Finkelstein said that his company recently brought back about 500,000 zinc castings that were made in China. “This occurred for several reasons,” he said. “Metal costs fluctuated in China, and suppliers would not take orders at prices that had previously made them competitive. Adding increased transportation costs, you can see how the trend changed. At our plant, we remained tooled and had machine capacity at our U.S. plant to be able to absorb the work without any capital outlay.”
Leonard Cordaro reported that his operations have seen two different customers bring back parts to North America for similar reasons Finkelstein had experienced.
Now that parts seem to be returning to the U.S., one way that a die caster can take advantage of this is by adapting to the change and becoming a dual source supplier. Mel Hand discussed how his company has taken some initiative to set themselves up as a supplier of choice. “The best way for us to acquire opportunities with customers that are producing offshore has been as a dual source casting provider. A one-stop shop,” said Hand. He continued, “It’s just easier doing business domestically, locally. As issues arise, we are better positioned and better equipped to offer engineering support. Not only can we turnaround a part quicker, but we can produce a better quality part.”
Kinetic Die Casting manufactures aluminum and zinc die casting parts. Samples of KDC’s work include die cast speaker parts, aluminum tile plates, and other die cast metal parts. If you would like to have a quote please visit our website: Kinetic Die Casting Company
