ASW Announces Major Capital Investment ProgramTimothy Selhorst, President & CEO of American Spring Wire Corporation, announced the company's plans to invest over $12 million in capital improvements over the next 15 months. This capital will be spent in addition to significant investments recently made in tooling and die making, surface shaving, and equipment to improve the efficiency of oil tempering. A significant portion of the investment is intended for the Bedford Heights production facility, which manufactures vale and commercial grade spring wires, as well as PC Strand. According to Selhorst, "Investments made and technologies acquired in making valve spring wires over the past several years are yielding positive results. Today, in addition to supplying wires for parts that end up in US automobile engines, springs made from our wires are used by BMW, Volkswagen, Rolls Royce, Volvo, Opel, Bosch and other world names." The investments, to be completed by the end of 2006, include new wire drawing machinery, shop floor & layout refinements, and a new inductions tempering line. "The new tempering line allows us to offer a complete and evolving complement of commercial spring wire products at world competitive efficiencies," added Selhorst. It will also provide the company with the technology to expand into some new market opportunities. This year, the Bedford Heights operation is focused on installing the new equipment, as well as completing safety and housekeeping initiatives. Further investments including machinery upgrades and new product introduction plans are drafted for the facility in the coming years. The remainder of the investments will be spent for a new wire drawing line, a new stranding line, and pickling capability improvements at ASW's House, TX manufacturing facility. The new equipment will allow the company to decommission some aging machinery. "As the primary producer of PC Strand in the important Texas market, we recognize the necessity to use the world's best machinery and technology, thereby strengthening the already strong commitment we have to the pre-stress and post tensioning community," stated Selhorst. He added that the capacity of the factory would increase, but that the primary objective of the investment is to be able to grow with the expanding requirements of ASW's customers. AWS has owned the Houston operation since 1997 and makes only PC strand at this location. American Spring Wire Corporation manufactures valve quality and commercial wire in carbon and alloy steel grades. Configurations include round and shaped wires from fines sizes to .625" (16 mm). Over 90% of the total spring wire pounds produced is oil tempered. The company also produces PC strand for the pre-stressed/post-tensioned concrete market. Manufacturing processes include: chemical pickling and coating, plating, surface removal, die drawing, cold rolling, patenting, annealing, and oil tempering. Wire drawing dies and rolls are manufactured at their in-house tooling division. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, American Spring Wire Corporation is certified as complying with ISO 9002 Standards. The company supplies spring wire for use in automotive, agriculture, construction and appliance industries.
 American Wire Producers Association |
