Wescast Awarded Minivan Business, Begins Construction.

In September, Wescast Industries, Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, was chosen to supply cast exhaust manifolds for the 3.3L/3.8L engine program for DaimlerChrysler's minivans: Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. The nobake and green sand ductile iron and steel foundry will cast this program at its new North Huron, Ontario, Canada location.

"We are very excited about this takeover business, which commences production in October 2000 and is expected to require 1.2 million pieces annually for the next 5 years," said Ray Finnie, Wescast president and CEO.

In other news, Wescast announced that it will locate its new technical development center and corporate offices in Brantford. Construction will commence on the 75,000-sq-ft facility in 2001 with completion scheduled for early 2002.

The new facility will allow the company to accelerate product design and testing activities, provide advanced development, support diversification initiatives, and carry out focused research and development all under one roof. It will include a mini foundry and machine shop for producing prototypes more quickly and carrying out advanced engineering studies. It will house product and material testing equipment as well as simulation equipment.

Wescast will invest $23 million at this new site, which also will be the new home for the corporate support group that will be relocating from the Brantford casting plant.