Released on March 16, 2011

ME Global Inc., Minneapolis, has announced a $23.4 million expansion at its metalcasting facilities in Duluth, Minn., and Tempe, Ariz.

The company said the investment, which has been authorized by its board of directors, will result in a 20% capacity increase at the production facilities. Construction on the expansions is expected to begin in March and be completed by the fall of 2011.

ME Global produces impact and abrasion resistant castings used in crushing and milling applications. The Duluth and Tempe metalcasting facilities support mining activities primarily in North and South America. The company also produces parts for customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Indonesia and Russia.

“The increases in domestic and foreign demand for our products, as well as from our current customer base, have ME Global approaching its current capacity,” said ME Global President Andy Fulton.

ME Global is owned by Compańía Electro Metalúrgica S.A. (Elecmetal), Santiago, Chile. In addition to its casting plants in Duluth and Tempe, the corporation has a licensee in Mexico and two additional metalcasting facilities in Santiago, Chile, that serve the Latin American market.

“This is the largest single capital investment in the [Duluth and Tempe] facilities since Elecmetal purchased the business in 2001,” Fulton said. “The expansions will not only allow for increased capacity and process optimization, but also maintain environmental compliance.”