Metaldyne contract saves $30

Metaldyne Corp. has been winning a fair amount of business since it was formed a year ago (see editorial, p.5), but the company is particularly proud of a $200 million contract it won to produce two transmission clutch modules for a major North American auto maker.

The Plymouth, MI, supplier will forge, machine, assemble and ship $200 worth of content to its auto maker customer, beginning with the 2005 model year. It marks the first time that the customer has handed off this work to a supplier.

The sourcing decision saves the auto maker at least $30 per vehicle, Timothy Leuliette, Metaldyne president and CEO tells Ward's. Volumes are projected at 1 million units annually.

Metaldyne also won a high-volume contract (6 million units annually) for powder metal forged connecting rods for a major North American OEM's V-6 engine program for 2003 model year. Metaldyne will do the work at its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, plant.