WESCAST WINS NISSAN CONTRACT
Worth Up to $18 - Million
The Financial Post
January 25, 2001

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO. Auto parts manufacturer Wescast Industris Inc. has reached a deal to supply components for Nissan’s newest V6 engine plant, the company said yesterday.

Under a five-year agreement, worth between $16 million and $18 million, Wescast will produce 380,000 manifolds and 190,000 catalytic converter containers annually for the Japanese automaker’s engine plant in Decherd, Tenn. The components will be used in engines for the Quest Van and Altima vehicles for the 2003 model year.

This is the first deal involving Nissan North America, Inc. for Wescast, which claims to be the world’s largest supplier of exhaust manifolds for cars and light trucks.

"We are pleased with the opportunity to work with Nissan," said Ray Finnie, Wescast president, "This business expands our customer base and is the first step in developing a long-term relationship with Nissan".

Wescast will invest about $9 million to upgrade the company’s Brantford operations for the work.

Wescast designs, develops and makes iron and steel exhaust manifolds for original engine manufacturers General Motors, Fort and DaimlerChrysler. The company has seven plants in North America and three sales and design offices in North America and Europe.

Wescast is still looking at Mexico for a potential factory site south of the Rio Grande River, but won’t decide on the expansion until spring.

Wescast has six Ontario plants and employs about 1,800 workers.