Shiloh Industries Develops Lightest Blanks in the Industry


Made possible through company's industry-exclusive aluminum laser welding process



VALLEY CITY, Ohio -- Shiloh Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHLO), a leading global supplier of lightweighting, noise and vibration solutions, today revealed the industry's lightest aluminum door blank for mass production without compromising part integrity or formability. This breakthrough allows automakers to further reduce mass compared to existing methods.



"This advancement is the result of combining our expertise in aluminum, our laser welding proficiency and our commitment to lightweighting by providing innovative solutions to our customers," said Ramzi Hermiz, Shiloh president and CEO. "Our new proprietary laser welding process overcomes the current challenges with weld integrity and offers the perfect solution for OEMs utilizing or considering aluminum in their vehicle portfolio."



This innovation provides automakers a significant weight saving compared to traditional methods - even lightweighting existing aluminum components. As an example, four aluminum, single-piece (monolithic), door-inner blanks of similar geometry weigh 35.5 pounds, whereas Shiloh's aluminum laser welded door-inner blanks weigh 26.8 pounds - a reduction of nearly nine pounds or 25 percent per vehicle. Furthermore, carmakers switching from steel monolithic blanks to aluminum laser welded blanks save nearly 58 pounds per vehicle. The Environmental Protection Agency states that even small weight savings directly equates to improved overall fuel economy.



"Shiloh's aluminum laser welded blanks are the latest, and lightest, addition to the company's family of lightweight BlankLight(TM) products," said Bernhard Hoffmann, Shiloh's vice president of engineering. "Our BlankLight products offer a broad portfolio of blank solutions that address specific customer cost and weight needs."



Shiloh offers the broadest portfolio of lightweighting solutions in the industry. The company is able to deliver lightweighting solutions in steel, steel alloys, aluminum and magnesium.



Shiloh is showcasing its new aluminum laser welding technology at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan, August 4-7, 2014, through its partnership with CAR's Coalition for Automotive Lightweighting Material.



"Aluminum laser welding is the latest example of Shiloh's focus on delivering lightweighting solutions without compromising safety, strength or noise and vibration," added Hermiz.



About Shiloh Industries, Inc.

Shiloh Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: SHLO), is a leading global supplier of lightweighting and NVH solutions to the automotive, commercial vehicle and other industrial markets. The company offers the broadest portfolio of lightweighting solutions in the industry, capable of delivering solutions in steel, steel alloys, aluminum and magnesium. Shiloh delivers these solutions through design, engineering and manufacturing of first operation blanks, engineered welded blanks, complex stampings, modular assemblies and highly engineered aluminum and magnesium die casting and machined components serving the body-in-white, emission, powertrain, structural and seating needs of OEM and Tier 1 customers. Shiloh has locations across North America, Europe and Asia and approximately 3,000 employees.

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