Wescast to Cast GM Stainless Exhaust Manifolds.

Wescast Industries, Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, has been selected by General Motors to supply fully cast and machined stainless steel exhaust manifolds for the 8.1-liter Mark GM T800 engine program starting in July. The program will be used in GM's 2500/3500 truck series and marks the first significant cast stainless steel production program for Wescast since it began developing the technology 5 years ago.

"The use of a cast stainless steel manifold provides the customer with a cost-competitive alternative to fabricated manifolds for high-performance engines," said Wescast President and CEO Ray Finnie. "The robust strength offered from a stainless steel manifold provides for greater flexibility in engine design, durability and, ultimately, performance."

This new program will generate $ 14 million annually. The manifolds will be cast and machined at the company's Stratford, Ontario operation. Wescast will invest more than $8 million for this program, adding 11,000 sq ft and more than 50 employees.

Wescastsupplies cast exhaust manifolds for passenger cars and light trucks. The firm designs, develops, manufactures, and machines iron and steel exhaust manifolds for automotive OEMs and pressure-retaining high-alloy cast steel pump components for the petrochemical, pulp and paper, and food processing industries.