Released on September 24, 2007

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca Inc., Waupaca, Wis., will break ground on a new expansion at its Etowah, Tenn., metalcasting facility on Sept. 24.

According to a company press release, the $162 million expansion will add approximately 100 new jobs, bringing employment up to 675 at the facility.

“In an economy that has seen casting technology moving offshore, we are bringing a solid basis for renewing the technology capability in America,” said Gary Gigante, president and CEO of the company.

The ThyssenKrupp Waupaca facility in Etowah began operations in 2001. The expansion will add a new ductile iron production line, expected to be fully operational in 2009. It will be housed in a separate, attached building. The automated line, which will include up to 50 robots for material handling, will increase the facility’s existing size of 272,000 sq. Ft. by 200,000 sq. ft.

The Etowah plant produces ductile iron castings used in the production of brake calipers, brake supports and automotive chassis components, such as steering knuckles and differential cases for gear boxes. It also manufactures gray iron castings, primarily used for rotors and brake drums in cars and heavy trucks.

Hiring for the new expansion is expected to begin in October 2008.

ThyssenKrupp operates 70 companies in more than 400 locations with 25,000 employees and more than $9.7 billion in annual sales, the press release said.