Navistar to close Indianapolis foundry

Navistar International Corp., a manufacturer of trucks, diesel engines and other transportation-related equipment, has announced plans to close its Indianapolis iron foundry by the first half of 2015. The company, headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, produces engine blocks and heads at the Indianapolis foundry.

Following the closing of the foundry Navistar will purchase the engine blocks and engine heads from its existing supply base.

“Over the last two years, we’ve taken a number of steps to strengthen our business and position the company for a return to profitability and long-term success,” says Persio Lisboa, Navistar’s president of operations. “We’ve determined that leveraging our suppliers for these components will reduce our engine costs, improve our overall manufacturing capacity utilization and free up additional resources to invest in our core North America truck and parts business.”