Borg-Warner Automotive Dedicates New Powdered Metal Forging Facility
24 September 1997
Borg-Warner Automotive Dedicates New Powdered Metal Forging Facility
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio, Sept. 24 -- Officials and employees of
Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. , along with local and state
representatives, today celebrated the completion of a 50,000 square foot
expansion to the company's Gallipolis, Ohio facility.
Part of the company's Automatic Transmission Systems operating group, the
facility uses a powdered metal forging process to produce races and cams for
one-way clutches used in automatic transmissions. Borg-Warner Automotive
acquired the business from Federal-Mogul Corporation in 1995 as
part of its strategy to supply key powertrain systems to the automotive
industry.
"The dedication of this facility is an important milestone in our
commitment to serve our auto-maker customers as a supplier of systems," said
John F. Fiedler, chairman and chief executive officer of Borg-Warner
Automotive at the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the expanded
facility. "When we acquired the Gallipolis operations, we believed that we
could marry their expertise in powdered metal races and cams with our world-
leading clutch technology. The process of creating integrated systems for
automatic transmissions is underway. We stand here today, another step closer
to that goal. The growth and well being of our company and our people depend
upon us pursuing such a course of product leadership."
The expansion increases the size of the facility to over 150,000 square
feet and will accommodate the transfer of the race business from Romulus,
Michigan, as well as allow the initiation of a number of new product lines.
These include components for General Motors, Ford, as well as the new Chrysler
45RFE transmission.
The expansion has boosted employment at the Gallipolis facility by about
70 people since the beginning of the year, bringing the current number of
employees to 320. An additional 70 people are expected to be hired by the
projects's completion in the third quarter of 1998.
"This is a proud moment for the employees of BWA Gallipolis," said Roger
Archibald, plant manager. "Everyone has worked extremely hard to make this
happen and they are to be congratulated on what they have accomplished in such
a short time. This is a major mile-post on our way to expanding our business.
We are pleased to be able to play an active role in the growth and development
of the community by providing jobs for the hard working men and women of
Appalachia."
The Automatic Transmission System operating group of Borg-Warner
Automotive supplies shift-quality components and systems to virtually every
automatic transmission maker in the world. Products include one-way clutches,
friction plates, bands, and forged powdered metal races.
Chicago-based Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. is a product leader in
designing and manufacturing highly engineered components and systems,
primarily for automotive drivetrain applications. The company operates
manufacturing facilities in 12 countries serving the North American, European
and Asian automotive markets.
SOURCE Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.