Zealous Shifts Gears to Focus On Aluminum
The South African diecaster invested $6 million in its facilities, and it paid off with increased orders from automotive OEMs. MODERN CASTING STAFF AND BRUCE CRAWFORD, CASTINGS SA, BRYANSTON, SOUTH AFRICA
automotive industry is demanding highly integrated, lighter compo- nents without diminished mechanical properties. T is trend off ers aluminum diecasters the opportunity to create complex components that fulfi ll several functions while reducing weight and improving effi ciency. Zealous Automotive,
F
part of the Zealous Group, Springs, South Africa, invested heavily in its alu-
acing pressure to cut carbon emissions and increase fuel effi ciency, the
minum diecasting operation in 2010. T at foresight resulted in a 2012 deal with Volkswagen of South Africa that included an order of 130,000 camshaft carriers, each weighing 5.3 lbs. (2.4 kg), for the four-cylinder, 1.4-liter Polo engine. “To succeed with a project of this
enormity and importance, you have to invest in the latest technology avail- able,” said Graham Hardisty, Zealous COO. “To this extent, we have invested more than 61 million rand [$6.23 mil- lion] in the plant and equipment and [continue] to explore opportunities to supply automotive OEMs.”
The aluminum diecasting operation at Zealous Automotive (left) was designed with a high level of automation, allowing the fi rm to accept an order for 130,000 camshaft carriers (above).
18 | MODERN CASTING September 2013
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