Industry News

Lawton Standard Co. expands again with Northern Iron & Machine Acquisition

The Lawton Standard Co. has recently added Northern Iron & Machine (NIM) located in St. Paul, Minn., to the Lawton Standard family as part of its expansion strategy. NIM produces and machines high-quality gray, ductile, and austempered iron castings up to 250 lbs. This adds to The Lawton Standard Co.’s offerings by both size and method. This will benefit both Lawton and NIM customers with expanded sourcing options.

New family owners at Tonkawa Foundry

The sibling owners of Tonkawa Foundry, Inc., (TFI) Tonkawa, Oklahoma, have sold their family business to Mauricio and Alhena Torres, who assumed ownership January 1. The couple has relocated from Dallas with their four-year-old daughter, Paloma.

Having operated the foundry for over 40 years, Sandy Salisbury Linton and Jim Salisbury said they’re pleased the company will remain a family-owned business. 

Grede rolls out e-mobility emphasis to grow automotive, industrial market share

AFS Corporate Member Grede Holdings LLC (Southfield, MI) announced a sharpened focus on e-mobility to leverage electric vehicle opportunities for the light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and industrial markets. Developing and quoting millions of dollars in cast iron solutions for the electrification market, the company said its increasing commitment aligns with a growing e-mobility market they expect will rapidly accelerate from 2025 to 2030.

Canekast, Inc. buys Cushman Foundry

Cushman Foundry, Blue Ash, Ohio, was acquired in January by AFS Corporate Member CaneKast. Cushman Foundry’s history stretches back over 30 years as an independent producer of high-quality aluminum castings for many industries, including the fire suppression, industrial fan, and control markets. Before that, Cushman Foundry was a captive facility for one of the current company’s largest customers. 

Linamar acquires full ownership of joint venture casting facility

Linamar Corporation has acquired GF Casting Solutions’ 50% interest in the two companies’ 2015 joint venture, GF Linamar LLC (GFL) located in Mills River, North Carolina––as a result, Linamar will assume 100% ownership and operational control of the business. GF Casting Solutions (GF) is a division of Georg Fischer AG.

Combining expertise in high-pressure diecasting and machining to provide lightweight solutions for automotive and commercial vehicle customers, GFL manufactures structural and powertrain components in aluminum and magnesium.

Gränges’ Tennessee investment to enable near-zero carbon solutions

Gränges will invest $52 million to expand its recycling and casting operations in Huntingdon, Tennessee, enabling its market launch of near-zero carbon aluminum solutions in 2024 aimed at meeting growing demand for sustainable products in North America. The new center will be powered via renewable electricity as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Green Invest program.

Kimura Foundry America expands capacity with fourth 3D sand printer

AFS Corporate Member Kimura Foundry America, Inc. (Shelbyville, Indiana) will install a new ExOne S-Max 3D sand printer this quarter to increase capacity and meet diverse market demands for high quality castings with quick turnaround times. It becomes the fourth sand mold and core printer for the foundry’s U.S. location; the company also operates six at its headquarters in Japan.