Ford to Scale Back Casting

In addition to closing assembly plants in Ohio and New Jersey, Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., is also scaling back scrap-consuming casting and forging operations.

As part of an overall North American vehicle production capacity cutback, Ford has announced the closing of assembly plants in Lorain, Ohio, and Edison, N.J., and the elimination of a shift at an assembly plant in Hazelwood, Mo.

While these closures involve the elimination of thousands of jobs, scrap suppliers have taken notice of cutbacks that involve fewer workers but that do affect scrap melting capacity.

The automaker will reportedly cease aluminum casting operations at its Brook Park, Ohio, engine plant. Parts that have been cast there will now be made in Mexico.