The Georg Fischer group has sold an aluminum diecasting plant in Herzogenburg, Austria, to a group called Kimaz GmbH, formed by the management of that operation. The value of the sale — which was announced early this month but was made retroactive to January 1 — was not reported.
The gravity diecasting plant manufactures aluminum parts for passenger cars and trucks, and has about 200 employees. “We believe in the potential of gravity diecasting, and are convinced that in cooperation with our workforce the plant in Herzogenburg will stay a reliable partner for our customers and suppliers as well as a significant regional employer,” explained Andreas Zick, co-owner of Kimaz GmbH.
Georg Fischer operates several iron and aluminum casting operations as part of its GF Automotive business unit. It continues to operate a ferrous foundry and an aluminum pressure diecasting plant at Herzogenburg, and those continue to be part of the Georg Fischer organization. It also will supply some plant and management services to Kimaz.
"The solution found for the gravity diecasting activity in Herzogenburg ensures continuity for our customers and our workforce,” according to Georg Fischer CEO Yves Serra. “It also allows GF Automotive to fully focus on its core activities."
In late 2012 the group announced plans to downsize its European foundry network, while expanding its metalcasting operations in China. At that time, it sold two foundries in Germany to the MWS Gruppe.
In the months since then, GF Automotive started up a new automated pouring line at is ductile iron foundry in Mettman, Germany, and announced plans for a new molding line at the ductile iron foundry in Singen, Germany.
In China, the group has a ductile iron automotive foundry at Kunshan and an aluminum and magnesium diecaster at Suzhou.