Released on April 27, 2011

Officials from the North American Ductile Iron Co. (Nadicom), Fulton, Md., recently announced plans to locate the company’s first North American ductile iron metalcasting facility in Iowa City, Iowa.

The construction of the facility, which is contingent on state and local approval, is expected to have the capacity to pour and machine large castings with an initial focus on the wind turbine market. The $85 million plant should employ 175. Nadicom Chief Executive Officer Prasad Karunakaran said multiple factors were considered when choosing the location.

“We plan to build this operation from the ground up and wanted a location that would allow us to…maximize productivity,” he said. “This Iowa City site provided a central location, complete with rail and other logistical considerations, and access to a world-class workforce.”

The Iowa City Area Development Group indicated it had been in discussions with Nadicom, as well as the City of Iowa City and the State of Iowa, about the location since August 2010. The city and state have pledged to work with the company to begin operations by 2013, subject to final approvals. Karunakaran said utility rates in the area were competitive and Nadicom plans to utilize a local community college job training program.

The announcement of the new plant was made at the Iowa Wind Energy Association annual conference in Des Moines. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad confirmed the official announcement as part of his opening remarks at the conference.