Grede Holdings LLC reports that its New Castle, IN, iron foundry is the recipient of a silver certification in Caterpillar Inc.’s Supplier Quality Excellence Program. Grede’s New Castle plant supplies Caterpillar with drivetrain planetary carriers for its heavy-axle, off-road vehicles, and drive sprockets for its road graders and construction equipment.
Novi, MI-based Grede has 13 foundries and two machining operations that supply ductile, gray and specialty iron castings, including lost foam and high-silicon molybdenum castings, to transportation and general industrial markets.
New Castle is the latest Grede foundry to be honored in Caterpillar’s SQEP. Earlier this year the Grede foundry in Bessemer, AL, earned the same recognition, and more plants are expected to be honored this year.
“On behalf of our New Castle team, we’re very pleased to have earned this prestigious distinction from one of our largest customers,” stated Grede Holdings vice president and COO Todd Heavin. “It’s a reflection of our commitment to always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and to provide value from initial product design through manufacturing and delivery. New Castle received the award because it exceeded Caterpillar quality and delivery performance requirements.”
Heavin added that the award is important “because it means the facilities receive preferred status on new business.”