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Nemak shipments drop 3mn lbs on GM strike

  • Spanish Market: Metals
  • 21/10/19

Plant shutdowns caused by the strike at General Motors (GM) cost Mexico-based automotive diecaster Nemak 3mn lbs in shipments during the third quarter, or about 100,000 cast parts.

Nemak's total North American aluminum casting shipments fell by 16pc in the third quarter from a year earlier to 6.3mn equivalent units. One equivalent unit at Nemak equals 30 pounds, about the weight of an average cylinder head casting.

Chief executive Armando Tamez said that the financial impact for the quarter from the GM strike was probably about $8mn-12mn. The GM strike began on 15 September, halting all output at its North American plants. The automaker and United Autoworkers union have reached a preliminary agreement that is in the process of being ratified by members.

Nemak's North American customer production fell by 3.4pc in the third quarter, impacting shipments, even as automotive industry production for the region rose by 2.5pc.

Nemak's North American shipments also were hurt by customers phasing out some passenger car applications as they shift production toward SUVs and light trucks. Light truck and SUV sales have been rising and passenger car sales have been falling in the US for several years.

Shipments in other regions were also down, with Europe dropping by 3pc to 3.3mn units in the third quarter from a year earlier. The rest of world dropped by 28.6pc, mostly on lower Ford sales in China.

Nemak's global revenue dropped by 16.4pc to $963mn on decreased shipments and lower aluminum alloy prices.

Average Argus prices for benchmark secondary aluminum A380.1, used primarily by automakers, dropped by 29pc in the third quarter compared to a year earlier, pressured by low aluminum scrap prices, softening alloy demand and weakening manufacturing sentiment. A380.1 traded at an average of 67.58¢/lb in the third quarter, down from an average of 95.56¢/lb during the same period in 2018.

The Institute of Supply Management's purchasing manager's index registered a declining US manufacturing sector in August and September, leading the measurement to its lowest level since 2009.


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