U.S. Foundry Buys Georgia Gray Iron Plant

U.S. Foundry & Manufacturing Corp. has acquired the former TRW Warrenton Casting Center in Georgia, though details about the sale are scarce. While confirming the purchase, a U.S. Foundry representative declined to comment on the company’s plans for restarting the gray iron plant. The value of the purchase has not been reported. The Warrenton, GA, plant is capable of pouring over 85,000 net tons per year of iron. The sale listing indicated that the former owner, auto parts manufacturer TRW invested more than $22.5 million to update the plant and install new equipment after it acquired the facility in 2006. Production ceased in early 2009, reportedly because the cost of producing castings for TRW’s needs exceeded the open market price. The foundry has four 8,000-kW coreless induction furnaces; two automated pouring systems; two Disamatic molding machines (31x37 in., with a rated capacity of 225 molds/hour); and four Laempe coremaking machines. Two Eirich DW 31/7 mixers supply a total of 250 tons of green sand per hour, with automated additive and moisture control. Castings can be finished on two Wheelabrator shot-blasting units. All product handling and sprue returns are automated. U.S. Foundry produces gray iron municipal castings in Medley, FL, including manhole rings and covers, catch basins, curb and gutter inlets, and grating products. Its products are widely distributed across the Southeastern U.S. It also operates a separate division, U.S.F. Fabrication, with operations in Hialeah, FL, and Ogden, UT, that custom fabricates products like floor access doors, frames and covers, drainage grates, and pump station accessories.