KSM bets on rising demand for aluminum in autos

Mar 08, 2013 | 05:22 PM | Michael Cowden

Tags  KSM Castings, Stefan Tyman, automotive, aluminum, engines, transmission, chassis, steering VW

CHICAGO — KSM Castings Group GmbH is looking to benefit from expected strong long-term demand growth for aluminum automotive castings in the United States with its new facility in Shelby, N.C.

Growth will be driven in part by stricter fuel economy and emission standards in the United States, something which should benefit aluminum usage in the automotive sector, Stefan Tyman, head of business development at the Hildesheim, Germany-based company, told AMM in a recent interview. "We also have strong demand from European customers who have a manufacturing footprint in the United Sates and want (KSM) ... to supply them on a local scale."

KSM, which is owned by Chinese wheel manufacturer Citic Dicastal Co. Ltd., already has manufacturing operations in Europe and in China, and a facility in the United States will give the company a global presence, he said.

The company plans to build a $45-million, 110,000-square-foot facility expected to be up and running in 2014 (amm.com, Feb. 6). The operation will sport new equipment and include die-casting, melting and machine shops, as well as a shipping area and office space, Tyman said.....