machine centers to its three facilities next year, the same number it installed in 2011. T at means General Products’ ties to metalcasting facilities will only grow, as well. “We see the technology in the
For the automotive and commercial ve- hicle markets, General Products machines engine, driveline and chassis components. For aerospace and defense customers, it produces parts for propulsion engines, auxiliary power units and fl uid manage- ment systems.
Products expects to be growing its Mexico operations. T e company selected the building with an eye for expansion, and Maroney said almost all of its customers have plans to
have some work in Mexico. Even if the economy hits a double dip, Maroney said most of the programs it has now are low risk. He expects the company will add 22
industry evolving from basic machined components,” Newby said. “A lot of these programs involve engineering up front. It is imperative that we have relationships with foundries that can co-develop these things.” According to Maroney, General
Products has diversifi ed its portfolio in recent years to guard against mar- ket fl uctuations, as well. At the time of its inception in 1922, the company was 100% automotive. T is remained true for more than 80 years. T en, a relationship with a major transmis- sion producer moved the company into the commercial vehicle market. Even as recently as about fi ve years ago, General Products’ product mix was 60% automotive and 40% com- mercial vehicle. Shortly thereafter, in 2007, General
Products’ executives set their market focus for the future. T ey saw com- mercial vehicle as a growth area but wanted to diversify further. T e goal was to move into aerospace parts and industrial applications. A contract with an aerospace OEM
made the fi rst part of the plan happen. “We have had good success with [that fi rst customer],” he said. “We went from zero to 12 active [aerospace] part numbers in three years. It’s been good for [our An- gola] plant and helped us gain more technical acumen from a manufac- turing standpoint.”
A Unique Relationship
Today, General Products machines up to a 213-lb. gray iron casting and aluminum castings up to 60 lbs. Ninety percent of the company’s work is aluminum and iron parts, but it also machines steel, magnesium and titanium. It is working with several suppliers on new material develop- ments, as well. “We’re looking into thixomolded
28 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | Nov/Dec 2011
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