INDUSTRY NEWS North America
Plumbing Supplier IPS Buys American Brass & Aluminum Foundry IPS Corp., Compton, Calif., announced
it has acquired American Brass & Alumi- num Foundry (AB&A), Commerce, Calif., which the company says fits its existing plumbing products offerings. American Brass produces and markets
a line of cast iron and brass plumb- ing drains and fittings, as well as other
plumbing accessories. IPS manufactures industrial and commercial solvent ce- ments, primers, sealants, plumbing and roofing products, as well as structural and assembly adhesives. “This acquisition strengthens IPS’s
market position by broadening our product offerings for the North Ameri-
Chicago Aluminum Reopened by New Owner Chicago Aluminum Castings Co.,
Chicago, has reopened under new ownership, less than one month after confirming its closing. Richard Wagner, owner of Wagner Foundry, Chicago, purchased the facil- ity and its assets, including its equip- ment and customer list, in late July and is now operating the business as usual.
can plumbing wholesaler and contrac- tor markets,” said IPS Plumbing Divi- sion President Nick Cassella. “[American Brass] will immediately become a key brand and product area for IPS, as we continue to offer bundled solutions and a more streamlined process for our customers.”
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“It is back to normal,” Wagner said. Chicago Aluminum’s previous owner
and president, Harold Horton, said in early July he was closing the business after 100 years of operation and that he would be seeking a buyer in the coming weeks. Chicago Aluminum provides compo- nents up to 120 lbs. to a variety of end-
Five Casting Companies Join Minnesota Environmental Effort The Dotson Co., Mankato, Minn.,
Le Sueur Inc., Le Sueur, Minn., Smith Foundry Co., Minneapolis, St. Paul Brass and Aluminum, St. Paul, Minn., and Pier Foundry, St. Paul, have signed onto a green manufacturing program through Enterprise Minnesota. The program, financed by a $230,000
grant from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, is designed to create and deploy manufacturing for sustainability. “The basis of manufacturing in Min-
nesota starts with metalcasting,” said Enterprise Minnesota President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Kill. “This grant is phenomenal because it brings
use markets, including food processing, machine tool manufacture and scientific instrument manufacture. The company pours castings in multiple aluminum alloys out of a 14,000-sq.-ft. metalcast- ing facility operating both manual and automatic green sand molding lines. The company offers heat treating and machin- ing and specializes in mold inserts. MC
together a great group of companies that want to take green and sustain- ability into their industry.” In partnership with the Univ. of Min-
nesota’s Technical Assistance Program and Change Management Associates, Mt. Laurel, N.J., Enterprise Minnesota will combine lean process improvement and sustainability practices to develop a program that targets practical energy conservation and waste reduction op- portunities. The sustainability practices will be designed with metalcasters’ bottom lines in mind, allowing the manufacturers to save on production by reducing energy and material wastes.
Wind Caster URV Building in Michigan (continued from page 8)
tion simulation. The project will receive $4 million in matching funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. “The wind energy sector offers a tre- mendous opportunity for job creation
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In addition to the collaborating com-
panies and partners, the Metalcasters of Minnesota, American Foundry Society Twin Cities Chapter, EPA/Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership- Green Supplier Network, and the Team- sters and Glass, Molders and Pottery International unions all have expressed support for the program. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minne- sota is a non-profit and affiliate of the Department of Commerce, Manufactur- ing Extension Partnership a program within the National Institute of Stan- dards and Technology.
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and economic growth,” Granholm said. “We’re pleased that an innovative global firm is partnering with the excellent research and educational institutions we have in Michigan to develop and commercialize new technology.”
Astraeus Wind Energy Inc., Lansing,
Mich., has committed to purchasing a large portion of URV’s initial output to fulfill existing and projected orders for machining large, utility-scale hubs and bedplates.
MC MODERN CASTING / September 2010
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