Waupaca Foundry, a Hitachi Metals group company, received two distinctions from the American Foundry Society. At the 121st Metalcasting Congress, it will receive the Divisional Plant Engineering Award for core room expansion improvements at two gray iron foundries located in Waupaca.

Additionally, the iron casting supplier earned Best in Class for a ductile iron suspension casting converted from aluminum that achieved one of the Detroit Big Three’s lightweighting objectives for a major automotive platform.

“Our customers seek collaborative casting design and innovative materials solutions that add value to their products,” says CEO Mike Nikolai. “These industry awards confirm that our teams are delivering consistent, top-tier quality and service that leads the industry.”

In addition, retired CEO Gary M. Gigante received the Peter L. Simpson Gold Medal for long-term contributions to the sustainability of the metalcasting industry through environmental stewardship, technological advances and the development of people in the industry. Director of Research and Process Development Gregory Miskinis will receive the Award of Scientific Merit for major contributions to the metalcasting industry through industrial research, mentoring newcomers to the industry, and service to the Northeastern Wisconsin chapter of AFS.

Oshkosh Defense scores
$258 million contract

The U.S. Army has awarded Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corp. company, a $258 million contract. The company received multiple delivery orders from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command to recapitalize its family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles.

Oshkosh will bring the Army’s fleet of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks and Palletized Load Systems to its latest model configuration and the same zero-mile, zero-hour condition as new production vehicles.

The contract includes recapitalization of 670 vehicles and the production of an additional 356 accompanying trailers. All work performed under the contract will be completed in Oshkosh, with deliveries beginning in December.

Recapitalized vehicles are assembled on the same production line as new vehicles and put through the same extensive performance tests and inspection procedures as new vehicles. The vehicles also receive the latest technology and safety upgrades and are delivered with a new bumper-to-bumper warranty.

U.S. Navy awards $1.9 million in lighting orders to Orion

The U.S. Navy has awarded $1.9 million in contracts to Orion Energy Systems, a designer and manufacturer of energy-efficient LED retrofit lighting products. The company will retrofit two naval bases with its newest LED lighting systems, compliant with the U.S. Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act. Installations are in process and expected to be complete by November.

“We are very proud to serve our country and to build upon our 15-year relationship serving the lighting retrofit needs of the U.S. Navy,” CEO John Scribante said in a press release.

Including this project, Orion has secured a total of $13.8 million in lighting retrofit projects for 15 naval facilities of various sizes and mission scopes since 2003. The projects have used a wide array of energy-efficient lighting products.

Hamann Construction tapped
to build two facilities

R2H Flavor Technology, Manitowoc, and Briess Malt & Ingredients, Chilton, selected Hamann Construction for construction projects.

The company recently completed a new 50,625-square-foot manufacturing facility for R2H Flavor Technology. Located in Manitowoc’s Industrial Park off of Vits Drive, R2H is a privately owned startup company primarily producing liquid smoke flavorings to be used in the meat, snack and seasoning markets around the world.

To accommodate its type of manufacturing process and enable specific equipment plans, Hamann worked closely with owner Jeff Rozum to help identify potential design items and verify elements such as floor thickness and trench drain locations.

Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. selected Hamann to build a new Insta Grains grain processing plant to maximize its capacity at its Chilton campus. The 6,900-square-foot facility will help meet growing consumer demand for natural, healthy and gluten-free foods, company officials said in a press release.

The new manufacturing plant will be equipped with custom, specialized equipment to naturally process grains and starches.