Released on May 5, 2008

Wescast Industries Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada, announced it opened a new metalcasting and machinery operation in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on April 8.

The new facility was commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2007. The company said it currently is manufacturing a small volume of production parts for customers in Asia and is ramping up several international programs at the new plant. The facility currently employs approximately 200; 600 employees are expected when full production is achieved.

“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of the new plant in China,” said Ed Frackowiak, Wescast Chairman and CEO, at the inauguration last month.

According to a Westcast press release, the plant was completed on time and on budget in the first quarter of 2008, a period in which the company realized a net loss of $2.5 million, compared with net earnings of $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. The company-wide losses reflected lower sales generated by North American and European operations, the release said.

Wescast produces cast iron exhaust manifolds for passenger cars and light trucks. The company employs approximately 1,900 in seven production facilities and five sales and design centers in Canada, Hungary, the U.S., Germany, Japan and China.