About Grenville Castings

GRENVILLE CASTINGS MISSION STATEMENT

To be the best manufacturer of quality permanent mold and low pressure aluminum castings in our chosen markets in North America. Through the development of people and technology we will provide a workplace that offers all employees a sense of security, purpose and the opportunity to accept more overall responsibility for the success of the company. In doing so, all employees become a key member of a team striving to satisfy the requirements of both customer and stakeholder.

GRENVILLE CASTINGS COMPANY HISTORY

Grenville Castings Limited (GCL) was founded in 1945 by C.S. (Dinny) Dinsmore, who graduated from the University of Toronto in Engineering Physics in 1941. The original facility was an old stone building built in the 1850's, that had been used as a Methodist Church, and still stands today at the corner of Highway 43 and Grenville Way in the town of Merrickville, Ontario, Canada.

Originally GCL produced agricultural iron castings from sand molds. Over the years GCL worked with numerous other materials and methods, creating products for a large number of industries. GCL produced thousands of magnesium beams weighing 100 lbs. each, hand trucks, and bobbins for the textile industry. In addition, GCL produced electric motor stators and end shields, power tool castings, railroad step boxes, special parts for ladders and material handling components.

During the 1960's and early 70's, GCL gradually converted to low pressure and permanent mold castings, using aluminum alloys exclusively. The molds were made from high grade cast iron, mehamite. The main difference between casting processes is the hand pouring operation of the permanent mold method versus the automatic injection of the low pressure method. Past experience with different shapes of castings has determined which process will produce the best quality and most economical result.

To improve efficiency, a new plant was built at the current location and moved into in 1977. GCL then had one of the most efficient, stream-lined operations in the Canadian casting industry. In 1985 the plant was again expanded to accommodate expected growth. In 1987, GCL began to concentrate marketing efforts in the United States, and today this market represents the greatest bulk of our business.

In 1991, increased market demands and the need to improve processing led to cellular production - the use of small groups of employees working in self-contained "cells" to produce a casting from start to finish, including quality inspection. This experiment revolutionized our business.

1993 marked the beginning of a new era for GCL. Production began at a second plant located in Smiths Falls. This plant is also based on cellular production and was designed and built to provide our team members with a "state of the art" manufacturing facility. This plant now produces high volume, low pressure cast charged air coolers and structural components for truck and automotive customers in the United States.

1994 marked another milestone in GCL's evolution, with a third plant opening in Perth. This permanent mold, semipermanent mold and low pressure facility was developed and designed by GCL team members and took cellularization and the teamwork concept to a higher level. Further development of this plant has led, in 2000, to a dedicated automotive production facility, containing a high degree of automation, utilizing computer controls and robotics to boost both production and the quality of parts.

Today, GCL makes products for many different markets including: automotive, heavy truck, recreational, and industrial. The majority of current business is in the truck and automotive (powertrain and chassis) markets.

Our future is dependant upon our people and our ability to meet our customer's requirements. As we continue to expand our business we also continue to reflect on our Company motto:

QUALITY & SERVICE - A REPUTATION WE'VE EARNED