On Feb. 8, 2019, Arconic Inc. announced its decision to split itself into two separate companies: Engineered Products & Forgings and Global Rolled Products (GRP). The two businesses will focus on, respectively, the production of finished parts and the production of sheet. The company says it is considering the sale of operations and assets that do not fit its new organizational model. Also, it has reduced its dividend from $.06/share to $.02/share.

The 116th U.S. Congress commenced chaotically on Jan. 3, with Democrats taking control of the House for the first time since 2010, Republicans retaining the Senate and a partial shutdown of the U.S. government in full swing.

Ohio Star Forge (OSF), a subsidiary of Japan’s Daido Steel, recently completed an expansion project that was announced last year. The Warren, Ohio-based company added 15,000 square feet to its existing building for a new machining division. OSF, which started with two forging machines and 23 employees, now employs 120 and runs five forging machines. The company primarily supplies forgings to the automotive market but has sought diversification into other markets, such as oil and gas, as well. In addition, OSF celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

This column will discuss activity at the intersection of competition policy/competition law with intellectual-property (IP) law.

In June’s issue, we opened the topic of MES/ERP systems by discussing what they are and how they are used in today’s business climate. The majority of forge companies today continue to discuss the need to establish information integration that is coordinated and summarized among their various departments.

It wasn’t too long ago that hybrid electric vehicles were a novelty on North American roads. Now they are common.

Unit Drop Forge Co. Inc. (UDF) of West Allis, Wis., a manufacturer of forged steel components, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in August. UDF started operations in 1918 during the era of the Model T, trolley cars and the beginning of prohibition. Today, UDF continues to invest heavily in state-of-the-art engineering systems, capital equipment, and organizational training and development. UDF is a leading manufacturer of custom-designed closed-die forged steel components serving the off-highway, construction, railroad, energy, compressor, mining, defense and agriculture market segments.

In an effort to support growth with new and existing European customers, American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) will open a new 15,000-square-meter facility in the industrial area of Viladecans, Spain. Set to open in January 2019, the plant will produce powertrain components for Europe’s leading automakers, including Renault, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Audi and Ford. The new facility consolidates two smaller facilities in nearby Gavà and will employ 170 associates at full capacity.