facilities with which it can exchange sales support, technical information, employee training and engineering expertise. From Grede’s perspective, the existing management team and workforce at Novocast proved plenty capable, allowing the transition in ownership to move smoothly. “Tere were great people who
had been a part of the Novocast organization for a long time,” Aller- ton said. “Really, what we did was implement our standard operating procedures and bring them into the fold. We have a very well defined set of metrics, including quality control measures, hourly and monthly per- formance controls and other methods of increasing productivity, so we wanted Novocast to operate just like any other Grede facility.” Grede Holdings can provide a host of support services to its newly acquired site. On the flip side, Grede Holdings expanded its stable of met- alcasting facilities, increasing its ability to handle customer demands, espe- cially those in the Northern Mexico. “We have the similar capabilities
to some U.S. facilities, so if a sched- uling issue arises at a site in U.S. we can produce the same components,” Lopez said. “I think it has been a great transition for Novocast, and we’ve also been able to provide ben- efits for Grede Holdings as well.” Tending toward medium to high
production volumes, Novocast ships a majority of its castings—somewhere between 85% and 90%, according to company estimates—to Mexican- based customers. Tat same percent- age of Novocast castings will eventu- ally reach the U.S. after assembly and shipping. More than three years after joining Grede Holdings, the compa- ny’s first facility outside of the U.S. is firmly part of the larger organization. “Novocast is an integral part of
every discipline in our organization, from sales to engineering to opera- tions and planning,” Allerton said. “Tey are a crucial part of who we are and our operating procedures.” Considering Novocast’s recent
internal improvements, and Northern Mexico’s rapid growth potential as a manufacturing hub, Grede Holdings
Automated systems for the heat treatment of light-weight
ALUMINUM AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTUAL COMPONENTS
• Batch, Modular and Continuous Heat Treatment System Concepts • Overhead Conveyor and Roller Hearth Conveying Systems for the Solution and Aging Treatment • Hybrid Water and Precision Air Quench (PAQ) Systems Required for Thin Walled Components • Rapid Heating – Short Cycle Hot Air Impingement Designs • Rapid Quench Transfer Designs • T-4, T-5, T-6 & T-7 Processing Systems
CAN-ENG FURNACES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is the industry leader in the development of heat treating systems for the processing of Aluminum Intensive Automotive Components.
To learn more about CAN-ENG Furnaces Engineering, Design & Manufacturing capabilities visit
www.can-eng.com, e-mail Tim Donofrio at
tdonofrio@can-eng.com.
P.O. Box 235, Niagara Falls, New York 14302-0235
www.can-eng.com | T. 905.356.1327 | F. 905.356.1817
Novocast’s previous pouring system included ladles to transfer metal to robotic pouring operations.
and Novocast executives are optimistic about the future. “We see a lot of potential in
Mexico,” Allerton said. “Either for
applications that end up in the U.S. or stay in Mexico, the markets, whether it’s automotive or agriculture or heavy trucking, are growing.”
November 2014 MODERN CASTING | 33
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