Released on April 23, 2010

A magnesium casting by Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc., Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, has been honored with one of this year’s Automotive News PACE awards.

The casting, which previously won awards from both the American Foundry Society and the North American Die Casting Association, received the award in the “Product” category for exhibiting superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance, according to the contest judges’ panel.

The 17.6-lb. casting, now in production for the Lincoln MKT, is the largest diecast magnesium closure panel used in the world. It offered the customer more than 20% weight savings while functioning as the primary structural load bearing component in the liftgate assembly. The one-piece casting replaced a six-piece steel weldment.

The 2010 Automotive News PACE Awards were presented on April 12 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. In addition to Meridian, nine companies received awards in the “Product” category. Automotive News also gave awards in three other categories: “Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment,” “Information Technology and Services,” and “Innovation Partnership.”