Iron foundry Kimura Foundry America, Shelbyville, IN, has acquired VIP Tooling, a precision tooling and CNC machining company for an undisclosed price and will continue operating it as a subsidiary business. Both companies are located in the same city, and the buyer noted the “strategic acquisition enhances Kimura’s ability to provide customers nationwide with streamlined, full-service manufacturing solutions.”
The proximity of the two operations will promote collaboration between them and support Kimura’s ability to serve a broad customer base from a Midwestern hub, according to its announcement.
KFA is a holding of Japan’s Kimura Group established in 2017. The U.S. plant started in 2018 and expanded melting capacity in 2021. The operation has four induction furnaces melting gray and ductile iron, and also capable of melting steel, stainless steel, heat-resistant steel, and compact graphite iron.
“The addition of VIP Tooling to the Kimura family allows us to offer a truly all-in-one manufacturing service,” stated KFA president Michiya Kajiwara. “By combining our cutting-edge 3D-printed casting technologies with VIP’s precision machining capabilities, we’re simplifying the supply chain for our customers, improving lead times, and accelerating innovation across U.S. manufacturing.”
The foundry relies entirely on 3D-printed sand patterns and molds to produce rapid prototypes and small-lot castings, for automakers and their suppliers; manufacturers of engines, industrial pumps, and machine tools; suppliers of agricultural, mining, and off-road equipment; and oil-and-gas and renewable energy projects.
VIP Tooling was established in 1973 by Vonnegut Industrial Supply to service its customers' special cutting tool requirements. In addition to CNC machining it produces extrusion tooling for round and micro-multi-void tube manufacturing. “Our customers have experienced great success using our patented coated inserts to produce aluminum extrusions,” according to its website.
A spokesman for Kimura Foundry confirmed the two companies have partnered on various projects since it started operations in 2018. Now, their close proximity will bring together advanced casting and machining capabilities, and allow “faster lead times, tighter process control, and cost efficiencies for customers in key industries including automotive, energy, and industrial manufacturing.”
“KFA and VIP will work closely to provide our customers with complete casting and machining needs for iron, steel, and aluminum castings,” the spokesman added.