April 2, 2007 — CMI Equipment and Engineering Inc. in Au Gres, MI, is joining with Germany's Hottinger Maschinenbau GmbH in a strategy both companies say will enhance their respective market shares in North America and Europe.

CMI develops metalcasting and machining systems, including custom-built core machines, permanent mold systems for gravity and low-pressure casting, green-sand foundry systems for ferrous and nonferrous casting, and automated casting cleaning systems.

Hottinger also manufactures coremaking machines and handling equipment.

According to their agreement, CMI will provide round-the-clock service, re-assembly, commissioning, and spare parts for Hottinger core shooters and peripheral equipment throughout the U.S. and Canada, and Hottinger, will do the same in Europe for CMI’s foundry equipment.

Dan Minor, president and CEO of CMI explained, "We design and build equipment that is rugged and reliable, fit for the environment of our industry, so we were only interested in partnering with another company that possesses the same philosophy.".

Bob Bend, v.p. of Hottinger, North America, stated, "We wanted to develop the most responsive service and support system in the United States and Canada. Instead of hiring people, we benchmarked equipment companies that had knowledge of the foundry industry. CMI builds some of the most impressive systems that I have seen anywhere, and their equipment is built to facilitate the process with the highest regard for reliability and maintainability, which is consistent with the Hottinger."