Metaldyne's Sintered Products Group Awarded Six Contracts to Supply Powder Metal Forged Connecting Rods

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Aug. 13, 2008 -- Metaldyne, an Asahi Tec company, today announced it has been awarded more than $50 million in contracts from multiple automakers to supply powder metal forged connecting rods for 4- and 6-cyl. engines used globally in 2009 and 2010 cars, crossover vehicles and minivans.

The award includes a $25 million contract from an Asia-based automaker to supply machined connecting rod assemblies.

The programs will launch in Asia, Europe and North America.

"We are pleased that our connecting rods were selected for these fuel-efficient engines," said Thomas A. Amato, Metaldyne chairman and CEO and Asahi Tec co-CEO. "We have restructured Metaldyne's operations to intensify our investment focus on our core products. These awards are the result of our increased product focus."

Metaldyne's powder metal forged connecting rod technology and materials significantly improve product strength, mass, and NVH characteristics, while contributing to improved engine fuel efficiency. Metaldyne's near net shape forging process also significantly reduces raw material waste compared to competing steel forging processes, reducing machining operations, steel scrap and overall costs to the customer.

"These contracts allow us to expand our global presence as a leading supplier of connecting rods and represent a growing trend by OEMs, who are designing their next-generation gasoline and diesel engines to take advantage of the inherent benefits of the technology," said George Lanni, Metaldyne vice president of sales and engineering. "Metaldyne continues to meet our customers' needs globally while delivering high performance and economic connecting rod solutions."

Designed to maximize strength and durability in both gasoline and diesel engine applications, connecting rods are the link to transmit force from the piston to the crankshaft in reciprocating engines.