September 25, 2006 -- Spartan Light Metal Products -- a producer of aluminum and magnesium diecastings for automotive and consumer products – has agreed to buy a former Intermet Corp. plant in Hannibal, MO, and plans to restart the operation as its third manufacturing plant.

The restart will begin in October and full production will be reached sometime in 2007. The plant's output is described as aluminum diecastings for automotive drivetrain components. At its two plants in Sparta, IL, and Mexico, MO, Spartan produces powertrain parts it supplies to GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Husqvarna Outdoor Products, and Hydro Gear.

Terms of the purchase were not revealed.

Spartan Light Metal Products CEO Don Jubel told a local reporter, "Right now we plan to get up and running as fast as we can." Total employment at the plant is expected to reach 80 by the end of next year, including some who were laid off by Intermet when it closed the plant at the end of 2005.

Intermet had produced magnesium castings at the plant, som some equipment retooling is required.

Spartan diecasts aluminum products, mostly as a power-train supplier for GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Husqvarna Outdoor Products and Hydro Gear.