Brillion Iron Works earned a new long-term contract to supply cast and machined flywheels to Detroit Diesel for its DT12 automated manual transmission, and it was named a strategic source for machined flywheels to Detroit Diesel in North America. The components will be cast at the foundry in Brillion, WI, and finish-machined and assembled by Diamond Precision Products, by way of a "collaborative business model."
According to a statement, production will begin in the second half of this year. The supplier did not offer other details, including the production volume, or the overall value or longevity of the contract.
An Accuride source explained the significance of the new contract is that it signals Brillion is able to supply “cast and machined components to OEMs and Tier One system suppliers in the commercial vehicle industry, providing them with added value and reduced supply chain complexity. The partnership with Diamond Precision made this capability possible.”
Brillion Iron Works is a business unit of Accuride Corp., more widely recognized as a manufacturer of commercial vehicle wheels and wheel-end components. Accuride is in the midst of a multi-year contract to supply cast and machined brake drums to Daimler Trucks North America, the parent company to Detroit Diesel.
Detroit Diesel produces heavy-duty engines, powertrain, driveline and chassis components for commercial truck manufacturers.
Automated manual transmissions like the DT12 combine a standard, clutch-actuated manual gearbox with a computer-controlled shift actuator and clutch. Shift patterns are selected electronically, for optimal power and fuel efficiency.
“Brillion’s recent capital investments – coupled with our relentless focus on Lean manufacturing and our strong partnerships with Diamond Precision and the United Steelworkers – enabled Brillion Iron Works to competitively earn this new business from Detroit Diesel Corporation, a Daimler company,” stated David G. Adams, president of gray, ductile, and austempered ductile iron castings.
Brillion’s products range from thin-walled castings to complex heavy-sectioned castings, produced for manufacturers of light and commercial vehicle, agricultural, construction and mining equipment, and other industrial markets.