Sheboygan-based J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. has won several large contracts with the Ford Motor Company. Most recently, the company was awarded the contract for Ford’s new six speed front wheel drive transmission case and converter housing, which will be paired with Ford’s new inline 4-cylinder engines for vehicles such as the Escape, Fusion, Edge and Explorer.
J.L. French is a designer and manufacturer of aluminum die cast automotive parts, including oil pans, engine front covers, engine blocks and transmission cases. The parts will be produced in Sheboygan beginning in June and the contract calls for production to ramp to 700,000 units per year by 2013.
The company will invest more than $18 million in its multiple facilities in Sheboygan to prepare for full production. The new contracts with Ford will support more than 100 jobs in the company.
J.L. French also recently won contracts for three other rear wheel drive transmission cases for Ford, which will also be produced in Sheboygan. Those cases will be installed on vehicles such as the Mustang and F-150 trucks. Rear wheel drive transmission production began in September, 2010 and will reach full volume by the third quarter of this year.
“Winning these programs is a testament to our manufacturing capability, our focus on Quality and the dedication of our people,” said Tom Musgrave, chairman, president and CEO. “These programs are strategically important to J.L. French as we reposition the company into becoming a world-class medium to large aluminum die cast and machining supplier.”
