Manufacturing conglomerate ThyssenKrupp AG is reconfiguring its global forging operations into a single business, comprising the Forging & Machining and Undercarriages businesses. The former produces closed-die forged components for automotive and construction machinery and general engineering applications. The latter manufactures closed-die forged undercarriage parts for mini-excavators and excavators, bulldozers, and earthmovers.
The new business — styled as thyssenkrupp Forged Technologies — has 16 plants Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S., with more than 50 forging presses in total. It has a global distribution network, and about 7,000 employees. The U.S. plants at Danville and Veedersburg, IL, produce forged and machined crankshafts. A plant in Waukesha, WI, produces undercarriage parts.
The parent company noted the new business accounts for sales in excess of €1 billion annually.
The ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde group, including its Rotek Inc. subsidiary, produces rolled rings and is not included in the consolidation.
“By combining our forging activities, we are positioning ThyssenKrupp’s components business to achieve further profitable growth,” according to Dr. Karsten Kroos, CEO of ThyssenKrupp’s components business area. “Central management of our worldwide production network will enable us to use our facilities more efficiently and align them even more closely to customer requirements.”
He continued: “In recent years our product portfolio for the automotive segment has shifted toward chassis technology. Engine components now account for only 20% of our sales.
“By developing new forged products for new markets and customers we aim to reduce this share even further in the future and tap into growth potential in the industrial components business,” according to Kroos.
