J.L. French Wins Large Automotive Programs from Ford Motor Company

SHEBOYGAN, WI--March 24, 2011: J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. has been awarded significant pieces of business by the Ford Motor Company. Most recently, J.L. French was awarded the new Ford six speed front wheel drive transmission case and related converter housing. The products will be mated to Ford's new inline 4 cylinder engines. The transmission will be used in vehicles like the Escape, Fusion, Edge and Explorer. The parts will start production in J.L. French's Sheboygan, Wisconsin operations in June 2011 and is projected to ramp to 700,000 units per year by 2013. The transmission represents approximately 30% of all transmissions to be produced at Ford.

“These programs are strategically important to J.L. French as we reposition the Company into becoming a world-class medium to large aluminum die cast and machining supplier.”

In Sheboygan there are two related converter housings that will be produced at the Gateway Avenue plant using three 1,600 ton die cast machines and one transmission case that will be produced at the Gateway plant using four 3,500 ton die cast machines. The transmission case will be semi-finish machined in the Taylor Drive facility using highly automated flexible CNC's that will be purchased for this program.

In addition to the Ford six speed front wheel drive program, J.L. French was recently awarded three other rear wheel drive transmission cases that are being cast at the Gateway plant on three 3,500 ton die cast machines. The rear wheel drive transmission cases will be used in vehicles such as Mustang and F-150. The rear wheel drive transmission case production started in September 2010 and will ramp to full volume by 3^rd quarter 2011.

Tom Musgrave, Chairman, President and CEO of J.L. French stated, "Winning these programs is a testament to our manufacturing capability, our focus on Quality and the dedication of our people." "These programs are strategically important to J.L. French as we reposition the Company into becoming a world-class medium to large aluminum die cast and machining supplier."

To support this new business J.L. French will be investing over $18 million in capital into its Sheboygan facilities. "These programs support over 100 J.L. French jobs when they get to full volume," said Tim Kellner, Vice President of Human Resources.

J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. is a leading global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered aluminum die cast automotive parts, including oil pans, engine front covers, engine blocks and transmission cases. The company has manufacturing facilities in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Taylor & Gateway Plants); Glasgow, Kentucky; Ansola Spain; as well as a joint venture in China. The company corporate headquarters and engineering are based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with sales offices located around the world.