Shiloh Industries Acquires Contech Castings To Expand Offering Of Lightweighting Solutions

VALLEY CITY, OH--Aug. 5, 2013: Shiloh Industries, Inc. today announced it has acquired Contech Castings, a leading provider of high-pressure aluminum die cast parts for the automotive industry. The purchase adds significant capacity and depth to Shiloh's existing high-pressure, high-vacuum casting capabilities with the addition of P2000™ squeeze casting, ThinTech vacuum casting, and high-pressure conventional die casting.

"One of the necessary advancements for removing weight from vehicles is going to come through increased optimization of aluminum components, which is driving demand for high-pressure, high-vacuum casting and structural squeeze cast components," said Ramzi Hermiz, president and chief executive officer, Shiloh Industries, Inc. "As a leader in this segment of the industry, it made sense for us to strengthen our technology and add capacity with the addition of Contech to further enhance Shiloh's position."

As automakers face pressures to meet the federally mandated fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, low-weight aluminum is quickly becoming part of the lightweighting solution. For every 10 percent reduction in vehicle weight, there is a 5 to 7 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

Shiloh provides design, engineering and manufacturing of first operation blanks, engineered welded blanks, complex stampings, modular assemblies and highly engineered aluminum die casting and machined components serving the body-in-white, chassis, emission, powertrain, structural and seating needs of OEM and Tier 1 customers. The acquisition of Contech Castings allows Shiloh to offer more options in casting technologies, and Contech's four locations in Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee are in close proximity to its customers, allowing Shiloh to provide greater value and support.

"From stamping to laser welding and now expansion of advanced aluminum casting, Shiloh is committed to offering technologies that meet our customers' needs," said Hermiz. "This acquisition creates a unique, deep and talented team of experts that offer new solutions for lightweighting challenges."

This is Shiloh's latest move in a history of adding new process capabilities that follow the company's key tenets of leading with technology and innovation, achieving sustainable, global, profitable growth and acting with a sense of purpose and speed.