Wescast and Linamar Awarded European Turbocharger Business

    BRANTFORD, Ontario & GUELPH, Ontario--May 8, 2001--Weslin Industries Inc. located in Oroszlany, Hungary, a joint venture between Wescast Industries Inc. and Linamar Corporation , has been awarded contracts with 3K-Borg Warner to supply turbocharger housings for Audi AG and Renault S.A.
    "This new business represents a new customer, and further diversifies our product base in the hot end systems," said Ray Finnie, President and CEO of Wescast Industries Inc. "We are extremely pleased to make yet another significant stride in this important market."
    Weslin will supply two machined iron turbocharger housings for the Audi A4 1.8L engine for 3 years. The program, which commenced in April 2001, requires approximately 184,000 turbocharger housings annually. Weslin will ship the machined parts to 3K-Borg Warner and the turbocharger system will then be assembled and shipped to Audi's engine plant in Gyor, Hungary.
    Weslin began production of machined turbocharger housings for Renault in March 2001 and will cast the parts beginning in January 2002. 3K-Borg Warner will assemble the turbocharger system at their Kirchheimbolanden, Germany turbocharger plant. These 1.4L turbocharged engines will be used in the Clio and Kangoo platforms.
    "The expansion into the European market with Audi and Renault is an exciting step for Weslin," says Linda Hasenfratz, President of Linamar Corporation. "The new facility in Hungary has provided an opportunity for diversified growth in the casting business."