Powder Metallurgy Highlights

GKN Sinter Metals is the world’s largest manufacturer of sintered components. It uses powdered metals to manufacture precision automotive components for engines, transmissions, and body and chassis applications.

It also produces a range of components for industrial and consumer applications, including power tools, bearings, white goods and garden equipment.

Hoeganaes produces metal powders, largely steel based, used in the manufacture of sintered components

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Powder Metallurgy comprises:

• GKN Sinter Metals
• Hoeganaes  

01 GKN Sinter Metals’ plant in Danyang, China, commenced production in May 2007 and will enhance GKN’s capability to provide world leading powder metal technology to customers on a global basis.

02 Through lower cost and weight design, improved machinability and increased strength through multi cavity filling, powder metallurgy brings new benefits to the manufacture of connecting rods which are produced by the division for most of the major automotive manufacturers.

03 Producing over six billion parts every year, GKN Sinter Metals manufactures a wide range of automotive and industrial components to highly exacting tolerances.

Milestones achieved in 2007

May

New GKN Sinter Metals facility in China fully operational

Production of the first powdered metal components at GKN Sinter Metals’ wholly owned operation in Danyang, near Shanghai, commenced. The new facility will support production for a series of new business wins in the region, including the manufacture of connecting rods on a new range of engines for Chery, China’s largest independent car maker.

July

Construction work begins on a new facility in Argentina

Work began on the construction of a new facility in Chivilcoy, near Buenos Aires, to support the anticipated high growth in demand for powder metal components in South America. The new plant, which will provide over 10,000 square metres of space, will help to position GKN Sinter Metals as a major player in the water/oil pump and powder metal shock absorber business and to become a key employer in the area.

September

GKN brings Powder Metal advantages to engine fuel efficiency applications

Variable valve timing systems require a high degree of component performance combined with sophisticated geometry demands and GKN is uniquely positioned to deliver to customers a ‘Design for Powder Metal’ capability for these applications. New business secured in 2007 will lead to products being supplied in Europe, North America and Asia.

October

Completion of operational restructuring programme

The final stages of the restructuring programme to align the business to high growth, emerging economies were completed. The programme saw 20% of all powder metal production relocated over a two year period to achieve operational scale and focus, with new facilities created in China and India and expansion in South America.