Released on July 20, 2010

Grede Holdings LLC, Novi, Mich., announced its Bessemer, Ala., facility was awarded a bronze certification from Caterpillar Inc. as part of its Supplier Quality Excellence Program.

Grede’s Bessemer plant supplies housings, brackets and supports, hubs and elbows for transmission and hydraulic systems used in Caterpillar industrial equipment.

“Our Bessemer facility received the award because it exceeded Caterpillar quality and delivery performance requirements,” said Todd Heavin, Grede’s senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Heavin said the Bessemer plant is the first Grede facility to receive the Caterpillar certification, and the award means the facility will receive preferred status on new business.

“We expect to achieve certification at seven more Grede facilities by January 2011,” Heavin said.

Grede specializes in ductile, gray and specialty iron castings, serving the transportation and industrial markets out of 13 metalcasting facilities and two machining operations.