Waupaca Foundry Inc. finalized its merger with Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA LLC, a deal outlined in February. The Wisconsin-based ferrous foundry group is assuming the assets and liabilities the auto parts manufacturer, aiming to increase its revenue opportunities and profitability as it expands the scope of its business.
“Aligning our operations will provide customers the most cost-effective production while guaranteeing continued high-quality cast, machined and assembled components,” according to Waupaca president and CEO Mike Nikolai. “This merger leverages the best of both organizations to deliver continued excellence for customers.”
Waupaca Foundry was purchased by Hitachi Metals Ltd. in 2014 for a reported $1.3 billion.
The six Waupaca Foundry plants (Waupaca and Marinette, WI; Tell City, IN; and Etowah, TN) produce gray iron, ductile iron, compacted graphite iron, and austempered ductile iron castings for automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture, construction, and industrial markets.
HMAC casts, machines, and assembles ductile iron parts for automotive suspension, exhaust, and structural parts. The ductile iron foundry is in Lawrenceville, PA. It has precision machining and assembly plants are in Effingham, IL, and Wellsboro, PA.
While the Lawrenceville foundry and Effingham machining/assembly plant will continue to produce and market Hitachi Metals’ brand products (including HNM™ series high-strength ductile and Hercunite™ series heat-resistant cast parts), each of the three businesses will operate as Waupaca Foundry units: Waupaca Foundry Effingham, Waupaca Foundry Wellsboro, and Waupaca Foundry Lawrenceville.
An earlier announcement indicated the three plants be a division of Waupaca Foundry operating as HMAC businesses. The foundry’s leadership claimed the changes would position the group for continued growth in the metalcasting industry.