Released on Friday, July 13, 2007

Esco Corp., Portland, Ore., and Elecmetal, Santiago, Chile, have signed a joint venture to build a metalcasting facility dedicated to the production of ground-engaging tools in the South American company’s homeland.

The move follows closely on the heels of a joint venture established in May between Esco and another South American manufacturer, wear-resistant steel product maker Soldering, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in early 2008. Esco expects the facility to be completed in 2009, when it will begin casting ground-engaging tools for the mining and construction industries.

Esco, a manufacturer of metal wearparts and components for industrial applications, has facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Belgium, U.K., Germany, France, China and Singapore. In addition to the new relationships in Brazil and Chile, its joint ventures and licensees are located in Australia, Japan, South Africa and China. The company employs 3,600 worldwide. Elecmetal, a metallurgical company, brings its experience with a variety of industries and 2,600 employees to the venture.