I news NDUSTRY


Harley-Davidson Closing Australia Casting Plant, Transitioning Suppliers Motorcycle manufacturer


The Australia plant produces most of the cast wheels used on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.


Harley-Davidson Inc., Milwaukee, announced it will cease operations at New Castalloy, Adelaide, Australia, by mid-2013. New Castalloy, which was


acquired in 2006 and has a workforce of 212, currently produces cast motorcycle wheels and wheel hubs. T e facility produces the majority of the cast wheels used on Harley- Davidson


motorcycles. T e North


American motorcycle manufacturer said in


a press release it expects to begin sourcing those components through other existing metal casting suppliers. According to the release, the


decision to close the plant is part of an overall strategy Harley- Davidson embarked on in 2009 to restructure and consolidate operations. T e company said it is now focusing its production operations on metal fabrication for motorcycle fuel tanks, fenders and frames, paint, fi nal assembly and power-train production. “T e company’s decision on wheel


production follows a review of the long-term fi t and competitiveness of the New Castalloy business with our strategy and was not made lightly,” said Matt Levatich, Harley- Davidson’s president and chief operating offi cer. Harley-Davidson expects the


transition of sourcing from New Castalloy to other cast wheel suppliers to generate about $9 million in annual ongoing savings beginning in 2014. The company expects to incur about $30 million in restructuring charges related to the transition, including approximately $10 million in 2011 and $20 million in 2012. 


10 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | Jan/Feb 2012


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64