JL French Forms Chinese Joint Venture

SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Sept. 16 -- JL French Automotive Castings, Inc. is pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture in China to produce high-pressure aluminum die-castings, and machined and assembled components for the automotive industry. The joint venture will be named Chongqing JL French-Yumei Die Casting Company, LTD. and will be located in Chongqing, China. Chongqing is approximately 640 miles northwest of Hong Kong.

During his recent trip to China, John "Jack" Falcon, President and CEO of JL French Automotive Castings, Inc. concluded negotiations with executives of Chongqing Yujiang Die Casting Co., Ltd and Chongqing Liangjiang Machine Manufacture Co., Ltd. As a result of those meetings, the three companies entered into an agreement to create a joint venture located in China.

"This is a wonderful growth opportunity to generate synergy from our businesses. It is our intention that this entity will not move work from existing JL French facilities but take advantage of the growing Chinese automotive marketplace," says Falcon. "It will allow JL French to assist its customers by supplying them products produced in China we don't currently make."

Chongqing Yujiang Die Casting Co. Ltd. is a leading player in die-casting, supplying China's motorcycle OEM market. Chongqing Liangjiang Machine Manufacture Co., Ltd. is a machining company that also supplies the Chinese motorcycle business.

JL 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, WI.; Benton Harbor, MI.; Glasgow, KY; Saltillo, Mexico; San Andres de Echevarria, Spain; as well as two plants in the United Kingdom. The company is based in Sheboygan, Wis. with Sales offices located around the world.