Linamar and GF Automotive Select Henderson County, North Carolina as Site of New Jointly-Owned Aluminum Die Casting Operation

HENDERSON COUNTY, NC, Feb. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) and GF Automotive, a division of Georg Fischer AG (SIX: FI-N), today announced that they have selected Henderson County, North Carolina as the location for GF Linamar LLC's new jointly-owned aluminum die casting plant in support of a strategy to provide integrated light metal casting and machining solutions to global customers. The new entity named GF Linamar LLC will provide large light metal high-pressure die castings for powertrain, driveline, and structural components to the NAFTA automotive market.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), and the Henderson County Board of Commissioners joined executives from GF and Linamar in announcing the arrival of 350 manufacturing jobs in Henderson County over the coming five years. GF Linamar LLC will invest more than $200 million in a new facility in the Town of Mills River in two phases over the next seven years.

The plant is scheduled to begin production mid-2017 and will provide integrated casting and machining solutions to automotive, industrial, and commercial customers. Together, the parties will utilize combined resources and capabilities to provide light-weight best-in-class solutions for large powertrain, driveline and structural components.  In addition, Linamar plans to offer machining services on site to provide optimal integrated cast and machined solutions at the best value, design, and quality to our customers.

"We are very pleased to announce that we have selected Henderson County, North Carolina as the site of the GF Linamar LLC plant," stated Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar. "This will be our fourth plant in North Carolina, an area where we have thrived thanks to a fantastic workforce and a great business environment.  It is rapidly becoming an important hub for us to serve our customers in the southern US and North America overall."

"We appreciate very much the warm welcome and the support from the state of North Carolina and the Henderson County authorities," commented Yves Serra, CEO of GF. "The location is ideal for us, and we look forward to a prosperous future for our joint venture in the US."

Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR) is a diversified global manufacturing Company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion, work and lives. The Company is made up of 2 operating segments – the Powertrain/Driveline segment and the Industrial segment, which are further divided into 4 operating groups – Machining & Assembly, Light Metal Casting, Forging, and Skyjack, all world leaders in the design, development and production of highly engineered products. The Company's Machining and Assembly, Casting and Forging operating groups focus on precision metallic components, modules and systems for engine, transmission and driveline systems & structural components designed for global vehicle and industrial markets. The Company's Skyjack operating group is noted for its innovative, high quality mobile industrial equipment, notably its class-leading aerial work platforms and telehandlers. With more than 19,500 employees in 48 manufacturing locations, 5 R&D centers and 15 sales offices in 14 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, Linamar generated sales of $4.2 billion in 2014. For more information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading products and services, visit www.linamar.com.

Georg Fischer is comprised of three divisions including GF Piping Systems, GF Automotive, and GF Machining Solutions. Founded in 1802, the corporation is headquartered in Switzerland and is present in 31 countries with 126 companies, 47 of them production facilities. Its approximately 14,100 employees generated sales of CHF 3.80 billion in 2014. GF is the preferred partner of its customers for the safe transport of liquids and gases, lightweight casting components in vehicles, and high-precision manufacturing technologies.

SOURCE Linamar Corporation

regarding this release please contact Linda Hasenfratz at [phone].