Grede Plant Earns Caterpillars Quality Certification

Grede Holdings LLC reports that its Bessemer, AL, ductile iron foundry has earned a bronze certification from Caterpillar Inc. in that company’s Supplier Quality Excellence Program. The Alabama plant is a sand-casting operation that produces housings, brackets and supports, hubs and elbows for transmission and hydraulic systems that Caterpillar installs in its various agricultural and construction equipment. “Our Bessemer facility received the award because it exceeded Caterpillar quality and delivery performance requirements,” stated Grede senior vice president and chief operating officer Todd Heavin. “Our focus continues to be on providing value to our customers from initial product design through manufacturing. We’re pleased to receive this award from one of our largest customers. It is evidence that our efforts at all levels of the company are providing benefits to our customers.” Heavin said the Bessemer plant is the first Grede facility to receive Caterpillar’s SQEP certification, adding that the award means the plant will receive preferred status on new business. “We expect to achieve certification at seven more Grede facilities by January 2011.” Grede Holdings LLC manufactures cast, machined and assembled components for transportation and industrial markets. It was formed earlier this year by a combination of assets from the former Grede Foundries Inc. and Citation Corp. Grede Holdings has 13 foundries producing ductile, gray, and specialty iron castings, including lost-foam and high-silicon molybdenum products. It also has two machining operations.