INDUSTRY NEWS
Rane (Madras) Planning to Invest $5.8 Million in Kentucky Facility “It’s an honor to welcome Rane to
Rane (Madras), Chennai, India, is planning to invest $5.8 million into Precision Die Casting, Russellville, Kentucky, which it purchased in February. Te investment is expected to preserve 170 jobs at the plant, which is a supplier to the automotive industry. Kentucky governor Matt Bevin
made the announcement, and wel- comed the infusion of funds to the facility and state as a whole. “Rane’s recent investment in Logan
County brings a welcome lift to south- central Kentucky,” Bevin said. “It demonstrates the impact that
economic developers can have when matching the interests of local and international companies. Rane Preci- sion Die Casting’s investment will fuel the continued growth in our automotive industry and provide quality jobs for the region. We are grateful for their long- standing commitment to manufacturing in Kentucky.” According to local reports, the
investment will help pay for new tools and machinery and improve equipment already in place. “Rane is encouraged by the sup-
port provided by Te Logan Economic Alliance for Development, the Logan Industrial Development Authority, the City of Russellville, Logan County, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development,” said Harish Lakshman,
chairman, Rane Precision Die Casting Inc. “We are impressed with the quality of the workforce. Rane is confident of reviving the business back to profitability over the next few years. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Russellville and Logan County.” Te facility began in 1956 as a cap-
tive high pressure aluminum diecaster owned by Rockwell Manufacturing. Today, according to its website, the facility specializes in high volume, pres- sure tight, thin wall, low porosity cast and machined aluminum die castings. It has 28 diecasting machines at its 255,000-sq. ft. plant. When Rane (Madras) first pur-
chased the facility, the investment was embraced by state politicians.
our county as the new owner and stew- ard of Precision Die Casting,” said state representative Martha Jane King. “We are proud that our trained workforce at the existing plant was the reason Rane chose Logan County for its first North American plant. I want to thank its leaders for taking this step to invest in our community and its employees, and I also appreciate those local and state leaders who have worked with the com- pany to make this possible.” Rane (Madras) is part of Rane
Group, a global supplier of steering and suspension systems, friction materi- als, valve train components, occupant safety systems, diecasting products and aerospace-grade wiring harnesses.
The investment is expected to preserve 170 jobs at the plant, which is a supplier to the automotive industry.
Lodge Cast Iron to Expand Again in Tennessee Lodge Cast Iron, South Pitts-
burg, Tennessee, has broken ground on a 127,000 sq. ft. facility to complement its already-existing production capabilities. According to the Times Free
South Pittsburg mayor Jane Dawkins welcomed the expansion. “Tey’re our largest employer and mean so much to our community,”
Press, the expansion will bring 90 new jobs and a 200,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Te expansion will increase production capabilities by 75%. “Sales continue to go well,” said Mark Kelly, spokesman, Lodge Cast
Iron, according to the Times Free Press. “We’re blessed and fortunate with how things have gone with cast-iron cookware.”
Lodge Cast Iron is expanding its Tennessee facility. 10 | MODERN CASTING August 2016
she said, according to the Times Free Press. “Tose jobs will be provided by a hometown business.” Kelly said the expansion is
a “huge investment” but didn’t specify to the Times Free Press how much. It’s the second expansion in two years for Lodge. “We completed an expansion
in January 2015 on the current foundry. It was not large enough,” Kelly said. “We have to build a whole new foundry.”
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