8 08, 2023

In Focus Spotlight: Meet Shae Bradley

2023-08-08T20:38:35+00:00August 8th, 2023|

Taber Extrusions' In Focus Spotlight employee Shae Bradley

Meet this month’s In Focus Spotlight Shae Bradley, Customer Service Manager extraordinaire.

Job duties & responsibilities of Taber’s In Focus Spotlight:

I spend a lot of my day working with our customers to update them on the status of their orders, quotes for for new products as well as existing ones.  I enter purchase orders and run the normal sales reports.  I think the thing that sets this position apart being the point person that brings the customers and the production team together.  Taber is not just an extrusion business and our customers are more than just pieces of aluminum going out the door.  Our team works hard to make products that have a huge impact around the world and I think it’s important for all of us to see what our work makes possible and those it affects.

Where did you work prior to Taber; same industry or something totally different?

Before Taber, I worked in a completely different industry. I was a marine dealership and worked in both a Sales position and as the Finance Manager. 

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

Looking at the history of Taber and knowing our capabilities, Taber’s future has great potential.  I hope to add more authenticity to our relationships, integrity, and accountability. 

Hometown? 

I was born about 30 miles West of here in Clarksville, Arkansas but live in the Dover area now.

Family, children? 

I am the mom of a seven-year-old boy, Easton.  He’s as ornery as he is cute! I have an amazing family that consists of both the ones I was blessed with at birth and the ones that were hand picked throughout the years.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

It seems all my favorite things have a season.  Right now, I’m helping coach my son’s baseball team.  I love bass fishing and my most anticipated hunting season is definitely duck season.  The past several years I’ve come to love jumping in the right seat to go flying.

Taber Extrusions' employee Shae Bradley with son
Taber Extrusions' Shae Bradley with young baseball team

Favorite part about working for Taber so far?

Each day is different and I get to work with some pretty great people.

What sets Taber apart from other companies that deliver the exact same things?

I don’t really think there is another company with the exact same things. Taber’s capabilities are very unique. We offer the same type services, but the combination of our large press, friction stir welding, fabrication and micro extrusions sets us apart.

Taber is growing rapidly. Any advice for those looking to join the Taber team?

Be open-minded and ready to learn. There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t learned something new.

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

The future is wide open and can be whatever we commit to make it.

Taber Extrusions' 3D logo: the word TABER is all caps and silver over an inverted triangle made with 5 gold horizontal bars, a drop shadow beneath, in front of a white background

Learn about other team members of Taber Extrusions through our In Focus Spotlight.

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

More About Taber Extrusions: 

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS, in 1995 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

 

Taber Extrusions' In Focus employee Shae Bradley standing in front of yellow plane

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities, and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberrecruitment

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

12 05, 2023

In Focus Spotlight: Meet Ashley Johnson

2023-05-12T00:11:01+00:00May 12th, 2023|

Headshot of Taber Extrusions' In Focus Spotlight Ashley Johnson, customer service rep: african-american woman with black framed triangular glasses

Name and Formal title at Taber Extrusions

Ashley Johnson, Customer Service Sales Representative

What are your job duties & responsibilities?

Provide product/services information, answer questions, and resolve any emerging problems that our customer accounts might face with accuracy and efficiency.

Where did you work prior to Taber; same industry or something totally different?

I have always worked in Customer Service. Prior to coming to Taber, I worked at The Home Depot working in the Customer Service and Receiving departments. I have also been and still currently in the US Army Reserves for the last 8 years. I am a First Lieutenant with a specialty in Seaport Operations/Logistics.

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

I hope to bring integrity, work ethic, and accountability. I’m not the talkative type but I do pride myself on leading by example. I’ve never distanced myself from wanting to learn something new or asking for assistance. I value teamwork in making the dream work and always getting the job done.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

I love sports! When I’m not at work, you can catch me watching a sporting event; basketball is my favorite by far with tennis a close second. I also enjoy reading and listening to music as well. I find it being such a calming force for myself.

Hometown?

I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, but my father’s job moved my family down to Biloxi, MS when I was 5 years old, and I have been here ever since. So, I truly feel like the Gulf Coast is where I’m from.

Taber Extrusions' In Focus Spotlight Ashley Johnson, customer service rep, standing in front of water and cruise ships wearing striped shirt and blue shorts

Family? Children?

Family is everything to me. I have my parents, my twin sister Deena and my two older brothers, Phillip and Ben, and my nephew and niece, Malachi and Makayla. I also have other family members that I see quite often, so it is never a dull moment!

Family with five people from Taber Extrusions' In Focus Spotlight Ashley Johnson, customer service rep

Favorite part about working for Taber so far?

Of all the places I have worked, I have never felt more of a family atmosphere than here at Taber. I love coming to work with positive people everywhere you turn; it is refreshing, and I am truly grateful for it.

Taber Extrusions' In Focus Spotlight Ashley Johnson, customer service rep, wearing climbing gear with another individual

What sets Taber apart from other companies that deliver the exact same things?

In my position, the one thing that sets us apart is the willingness to make sure our customers are well taken care of and working and taking care of their needs as soon as possible. If a customer has a concern or question, we try our best to accommodate them with the best possible outcome that benefits both the customer and Taber.

Taber is growing rapidly. Any advice for those looking to join the Taber team?

I would say come ready to work and allow yourself time to grow, because there is a lot to learn in the extrusion industry, no matter what department you’re in.

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

I think the future is bright here at Taber. If the collective continues to have a desire to improve and continue to set and meet goals, the future at Taber will always be bright.

More About Taber Extrusions: 

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS, in 1995 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

Taber Extrusions' 3D logo: the word TABER is all caps and silver over an inverted triangle made with 5 gold horizontal bars, a drop shadow beneath, in front of a white background

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities, and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberrecruitment

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Learn about other team members of Taber Extrusions through our In Focus Spotlight.

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

3 03, 2022

Friction Stir Welding of Dissimilar Alloys

2022-07-06T21:52:32+00:00March 3rd, 2022|

A photograph featuring a person with long hair in a ponytail held down by a headband that looks like a chain and wearing blue rimmed protection glasses that reflect the room, looks at a panel carefully. Behind the panel is a friction stir welding spinner, which looks like a big hydraulic cylinder with a drill bit at the end and there is a plastic hose attached. Behind this, a red, metallic workbox and green wall is slightly out of focus. Must be read in the voice of the movie Voice-Over artist: “In a world where dissimilar metals cannot be joined, one path stands above the rest…”

Friction Stir Welding: The New Frontier in Welding

In 1991, an elegant new way to weld metals revolutionized the world. The process known as friction stir welding (FSW) moved welding out of the Stone Age and into the technology age, allowing precise, mess-free welding.

Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process where a rotating and traversing FSW tool generates sufficient frictional heat along a joint between two metals to form a weld. It can be considered a “green” approach to joining since an external heating source is not needed and is more environmentally friendly than other methods since neither a flux nor a shielding gas are required.

There are several strength, speed, consumption, and cost benefits associated with friction stir welding. Many of these advantages are due to the fact that there is no microscopic melting during FSW, so the process is free of problems associated with traditional welding, such as porosity, lack of fusion, and change in material.

In this blog, we will discuss a remarkable benefit also associated with FSW: the ability to weld dissimilar aluminum alloys.

Welding of Dissimilar Alloys

Industries such as aerospace, military, transportation, manufacturing, and cargo ship production have a pressing need for welding dissimilar metals. Welding, instead of riveting, joints can produce significant cost savings while reducing the weight of their vessels or constructions.

Close-up view of a friction stir weld tack tool.

However, the welding of dissimilar alloys poses quite a conundrum. The different chemical and physical properties of dissimilar alloys can cause havoc as metals flow into each other during a conventional welding process.

For example, the different melting temperature, thermal conductivity, coefficient of linear expansion, and heat capacity of steel and aluminum causes their joint to be brittle whenever they are fused.

Friction Stir Welding: Easier Welding of Aluminum Alloys

Fortunately, FSW has proven to be an effective way to join similar and dissimilar aluminum alloys. In contrast to traditional fusion welding, FSW is free of the problems associated with fusion welding of dissimilar alloys, like porosity, segregation, and liquation cracking. For these reasons and more, higher joint quality is a characteristic of this approach.

FSW’s ability for welding dissimilar aluminum alloys at an industrial level is aided by being a solid-state welding technique.

A photograph of a stack of shiny, square aluminum plates, several at the top have the edges facing the same direction and the bottoms ones seem to be placed more haphazardly.

The Future of Friction Stir Welding and Dissimilar Alloys

 

Despite FSW’s success with aluminum, not every combination of metals can currently be welded by FSW, including some aluminum alloys. The formation of intermetallic compounds lowers weld quality.

Monumental efforts in research and development are being applied to the achievement of these FSW goals. This involves a lot of trial and error with spin speed, spin head and pin materials, and joint configurations.

Other options, such as submerged friction stir welding — submerging or having water run over the welding zone — might solve common problems associated with dissimilar welding alloys. The water helps extract heat from the joint, decreasing grain size and increasing tensile strength.

In other research areas, techniques such as friction stir knead welding have been used successfully to weld together very thin aluminum sheets with steel. The distinguishing feature of this variant of FSW is that it does not use the pin portion of the rotating tool.

Taber Extrusions friction stir welding facility in Russellville, Arkansas.

A Grand Friction Stir Welding Facility

 

In America, Taber Extrusions added a 60,000 square foot expansion to their facility in Russellville, AR, giving them FSW capabilities. The machine allows for Taber to continue producing their extra wide profiles. Through this addition, Taber can continue to create stronger, environmentally friendly aluminum welds at a much faster speed for clients.

With the promising future of FSW, Taber has established itself as a key-player for futuristic welding.

A circular graphic map showing the southeastern states of the United States in two shades of blue with broad white lines marking the borders and two inverse pyramids made up of yellow bars, the logo for Taber, marking the sites of Taber’s manufacturing plants located in Arkansas and Mississippi.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude extra-large aluminum extrusion profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. With in-house casting solutions, ultra-precision extrusion manufacturing, friction stir welding capacities, and a full range of hard and soft aluminum alloys, Taber continues to align itself as an industry leader in having the broadest available capabilities.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its recently added VF-12 CNC machining line and a full offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market. Adding these capabilities to a growing portfolio propels Taber into the future in a quest to continuously improve the quality and service we provide to our customers.

Thank you for your continued support of Taber Extrusions, LLC. If you have any questions, please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s regional sales managers.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taberextrusions/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

22 02, 2022

Meet Taber President Charles Stout

2022-03-02T21:56:19+00:00February 22nd, 2022|

Formal title at Taber

President

Job duties & responsibilities

Responsible for the overall performance of Taber Extrusions

Where did you work prior to Taber; same industry or something totally different?

I have spent the previous 5+ years at another aluminum extrusion company.  Prior to that I worked in different industries focused on Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive.  Before venturing into the world of manufacturing, I spent almost 10 years in the United States navy as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate Chief.

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

Taber has a lot of strengths and a great reputation.  What I hope to bring is a renewed focus on ownership, accountability, focus, and driving results.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

I spend most of my free time with my family or working on projects at home.  I also enjoy sports and love College football.  Many have also learned quickly that I am an avid reader / Audible listener.  I am in a constant state of learning both personally and professionally.

Hometown? 

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky but grew up on my grandparent’s farm in southern Indiana.

Family, children? 

I have been married to my wife Denice for 28 years and we have 2 great kids.  Our daughter Ashley is 26 and works as a Physician Assistant (PA) in the intensive care burn unit at the university of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC.   Our son Dustin is 24 and he lives with us.  He was diagnosed with autism at a very young age, and he is non-verbal but uses his iPad to communicate.  He is my greatest teacher as I have learned to communicate in ways I never had before.  He has also provided lessons in empathy and not underestimating anyone’s potential or abilities. 

Favorite part about working for Taber so far?

People – everyone has been very welcoming, and they have been willing to answer my multitude of questions.  No matter where you work it ultimately comes down to people that determines if you will be successful. 

What sets Taber apart from other companies that deliver the exact same things?

I really don’t believe any other company can deliver the exact same thing Taber does.  We have had some struggles lately but the capabilities we possess coupled with excellent customer service cannot be matched in the industry.

Taber is growing rapidly. Any advice for those looking to join the Taber team?

Strap in and hold on. 

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

The future is determined by our collective vision, efforts, and results.  Where we go and how we perform is all about what we do as a team and has very little to do with what is going on around us. 

More About Taber Extrusions: 

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS, in 1995 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities, and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

19 04, 2021

Meet Marla Coroy

2021-04-19T17:35:39+00:00April 19th, 2021|

Marla profile picture

Formal title at Taber

Finance Coordinator

Job duties & responsibilities

My formal title does not begin to cover the list of duties that over the years have become my responsibilities. My involvement ranges from accounting to purchasing to IT; from monthly inventory reporting to customer invoicing to payroll to being the Gulfport office hands for the IT department that is managed from Russellville. All of these duties and more, but we know the most important is making sure there is coffee supplies on hand at all times and the petty cash box has money in it.

Where did you work prior to Taber; same industry or something totally different?

Prior to coming to Taber in 2005 I worked with my family in our privately owned Christian bookstores.

I worked in the retail world for 20+ years so manufacturing is a totally different environment.

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

In terms of leadership and company culture I think the best thing an employer can do for their employees is to have an atmosphere that recognizes the importance of family and personal health. Some things can only be dealt with during business hours. I want to be understanding of the demands that are on us be it self, spouse, children, grandchildren or aging parents.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

Family is very important to me so spending time with them is something I enjoy and it usually involves eating which is good because I enjoy cooking. But when quiet times can be found I really like to read.

Hometown?

I was born in Cumberland, MD but my father’s job took us all around the world, so we moved frequently. Our last move was in 1975 and it brought us to Ocean Springs, MS where after going to 8 schools in 12 years I graduated from Ocean Springs High School. I can honestly say that even though I wasn’t born here Ocean Springs, MS is definitely my ‘hometown’.

Family, children?

My husband John and I will celebrate our 41st anniversary in June. During those years we had 2 sons, both of whom are married to wonderful women and are building families of their own. We have 3 grandchildren with another on the way in August 2021.

marla's family picture

Favorite part about working for Taber so far?

The people. Most of the people I work with were here when I came here 16 years ago. There is so little turn over in the management. Going to work everyday is like going to see friends – and that’s nice.

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

Who really knows what the future holds but I think the past is a good indicator of what our future will be. Business always cycles having ups and downs in the economy to deal with but the history of National Material and Taber in particular shows that our owners have confidence in Taber and our ability to compete in the marketplace. That gives us a positive outlook on the future.

More About Taber Extrusions: 

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS, in 1995 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, microextrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions has completed the addition of in-house friction stir welding capabilities, and carries on their offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw material supply to the North American market – making them a vertically integrated supplier of FSW panels and assemblies never before seen in North America.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com or call us at (888) 985-5319.

12 03, 2015

Secrets Of Designing Aluminum Cans

2017-01-26T23:37:28+00:00March 12th, 2015|

The aluminum can — it’s a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives. It holds everything from beer to soda to energy drinks. It’s sold in vending machines, at grocery stores, at food trucks, and even your local big box store. For many people, collecting them is a nice piece of extra change by turning them in at recycling centers.

And yet, how many of us actually stop to think about the engineering and manufacturing of such a vital cog in today’s society? Probably not much. However, writer Jonathan Waldman decided to take a closer look at the life of an aluminum can — and the results may surprise you. From his book Rusted: The Longest War via Wired.com:

When was the last time you paused between sips of your favorite soda and wondered about that can in your hand? If you’re like most people, the answer is likely never. But that seemingly unremarkable object is actually a marvel of modern manufacturing. It is, in fact, a glorious thing.

A few years ago, I finagled my way into Can School, a small industry-only event hosted annually by the Ball Corporation, the world’s largest canmaker. There, in a conference room just north of Denver, engineers chatted about “improved pour rates” and “recloseability” and the “opening performance” of cans. One guy handed me a business card that said “Can Whisperer.” Another wore a shirt that said “Can Solo.” It was a scene of intense devotion, and as such, it was only fitting that the first thing I learned there was that manufacturing aluminum cans is so challenging, and requires such a vast amount of study, design, and precise machining, that many consider cans the most engineered products in the world.

If you drink beer, or soda, or juice, or sports drinks, or if you have ever preserved fruits or vegetables in glass jars, the name Ball probably sounds familiar. The people of the world go through 180 billion aluminum beverage cans a year; enough to build dozens of towers to the moon. Ball makes about a quarter of them. Yet even with that much practice, making perfect 12-ounce cans remains a battle. Throughout the process, the aluminum behaves begrudgingly. It tries to jam the machines. Once filled, it wants to interact with the product inside and change its taste. But mostly, cans yearn to corrode (thereby leaking onto other cans, and causing more corrosion). Rust, it turns out, is a can’s number one enemy—and a can’s only defense is an invisible epoxy shield, just microns thick. (Without that shield, a can of Coke would corrode in three days.) At Can School, I got a hint of what goes into that coating.

Click on through to Wired to learn more about aluminum cans. And if you want to learn even more, Rust: The Longest War by Jonathan Waldman was just released on March 10.

 

16 10, 2014

(Really Expensive) Aluminum Case Protects iPhone 6

2017-01-26T23:37:28+00:00October 16th, 2014|

You’ve bought a shiny new iPhone 6 but with horror stories of bent phones, you’re afraid to put it in your pocket. Never fear; for $2,000, Gresso has an aluminum case that’s built to withstand the rigors of life in a back pocket. From GSM Arena:

Bendgate is the latest

[something]gate to plague the iPhone and Gresso has a case to cure that problem. The case is for the iPhone 6 rather than the 6 Plus, which is actually the one with bending issues.

Still, Gresso is known for its luxury phones and a lot of machining went into the making of the Gresso Aluminum Bumper for the iPhone 6.

It was machined out of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum and features a patented hinge mechanism to clasp both the front and back of the device.

The case increases the force needed to bend the iPhone 6 from 70lbs to 300lbs.

The most important part of the article? “The bumpers are available in grade 5 titanium and 18K yellow or white gold. Prices start from a wallet-clenching $2,000.” Better start saving those pennies. Of course, by the time you can afford a $2,000 case, the iPhone 7 might be out!

Click on through to the original post for a video of this test in action.

2 10, 2014

Six New Facts About The Aluminum F-150

2015-06-18T15:33:04+00:00October 2nd, 2014|

We’ve been talking about Ford’s aluminum-based F-150 in broad strokes for quite some time now. As we inch closer and closer to the public street date, news outlets are getting more facts and figures about the bestselling truck line in America. Let’s see what USA Today found out in a recent report:

  • Sign-makers are working up removable, sticky-film decals because magnetic signs won’t stick to aluminum. You’ll still be able to proclaim, “My kid’s an honor student,” or, “Best Gutter Cleaning in Three Counties” using the new slap-on appliques that independent retailers expect to be selling soon.
  • Aluminum body didn’t cut 770 pounds of weight. About 500 pounds. The rest is from lighter steel frame, heavy use of high-strength, lightweight steel throughout the truck. The frame is 78% high-strength steel, up from 22% in the 2014 F-150.
  • The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 Ford’s promoting as a good blend of power, mileage will be a $495 option when the truck’s launched late this year. discounted from the $795 sticker price to get dealers to order the engine and buyers to consider it. Power ratings: 325 horsepower, 375 pounds-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. It will be able to tow 8,500 pounds. No official mpg ratings on it or the other powertrains until November. The 2.7 engine also will be offered as the high-performance choice in the new version of the Ford Escape Sport.

USA Today has three more F-150 facts in the original article, so click through to it and find out more about how aluminum has changed America’s bestselling truck.

25 09, 2014

Toyota’s Camry To Go With Aluminum

2015-06-18T15:33:04+00:00September 25th, 2014|

The country’s bestselling car is about to get an aluminum makeover. And you can bet that the rest of the auto industry is watching.

The Toyota Camry is the bestselling car in America for 12 years running. With 300,000 models sold in the 2014 calendar year, any design change is a big deal — but it’s an even bigger deal when it sees part of the body change to aluminum. From Automotive News:

Toyota Motor Corp. is set to become the next global automaker to begin making the expensive shift from steel to aluminum for a high-volume vehicle.

The U.S.-built Camry, the country’s best-selling car, is slated to get an aluminum hood in 2018, according to a source familiar with the plans.

Toyota’s first foray into aluminum closures in North America will come next year when the 2016 Lexus RX 350 crossover, which is made in Cambridge, Ontario, gets an aluminum hood and liftgate, the source said.

The aluminum sheet for the Camry hood likely will come from a joint venture between Toyota Tsusho Corp., a trading company affiliated with Toyota Motor Corp., and Kobe Steel to produce more aluminum sheet metal in the U.S. Toyota will be among the venture’s first customers, several sources confirmed. Production is expected to begin in 2017 and ramp up to full output at the beginning of 2018.

What does this mean for the aluminum industry? It’s no longer a grand experiment put on by Ford and Tesla. Or as Monte Kaehr (chief engineer for the 2015 Camry) puts it, “It’s no secret that the entire industry is aggressively pursuing aluminum.”

2 09, 2014

Real Truck Drivers Put Aluminum To The Test

2015-06-18T15:33:04+00:00September 2nd, 2014|

As we get closer to the public launch of the aluminum-based Ford F-150, Ford is already ramping up its PR campaign. Part of that is addressing the unknown quantity about how “tough” aluminum truly is. Most people continue to associate it with easily crushed soda cans, but experts with material properties backgrounds understand why it was chosen.

For the everyday Joe, though, sometimes it’s easier to simply see a video demonstration. From HybridCars.com:

Four truck customers have been offered the chance to get behind the wheel of Ford’s new aluminum-built, EcoBoost-powered 2015 F-150.

Ford started releasing last Friday the first of four videos in the “You Test” series; these videos will show, said Ford, how these customers tested the all-new F-150 at www.BuiltToughTest.com.

The company explained these truck customers were selected from more than 15,000 submissions, in which entrants described how they would test the toughness of the new F-150 pickup.

“Our four winners demonstrate how Built Ford Tough isn’t simply a tagline – it’s our brand commitment that F-150 gets the job done, day in and day out,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group marketing manager. “The videos show real-world testing beyond testing already conducted by Ford engineers. This is what matters most – serving our customers.”

Click through to the original article to see all four demonstration videos or go to the official F-150 website.

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