By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Given the state of the current economy, the announcement of a $200 million contract for Brewton's Citation Corporation plant is good news for the community.
The five-year-contract for the Brewton facility is to supply Akebono Brake Corporation with ductile iron castings for a variety of new vehicle platforms used by several global automakers.
Although the additional income is a benefit, the contract won't mean an increase in the workforce already in place at the Brewton facility.
Plant manager Chris Kasuba said no plans are being made to change the number of employees at the facility.
Production of the cylinder carriers and spider castings brake components began in September at the Brewton Citation location. The work, which offers reduced noise, vibration and harshness characteristics for the parts, will continue through 2009.
Citation CEO Doug Grimm said the contract is a great opportunity for Citation to continue their worldwide business.
The Brewton facility currently has approximately 250 employees on staff.
Citation is a privately held corporation headquartered in Novi, Mich. Citation employs 2,300 employees in all facilities in Alabama, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin. The company designs, develops and manufactures cast, machined and assembled components for the transportation and industrial markets.