Steel Market Development Institute Honors Multimatic Inc. With Automotive Excellence Award at 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar

Company awarded for innovative use of high-strength steels in lightweight front suspension project

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May 18, 2011, 09:30 ET

DETROIT, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Steel Market Development Institute's (SMDI) Automotive Applications Council honored Ontario-based Multimatic Inc. today with its annual Automotive Excellence Award. Multimatic, together with the Auto/Steel Partnership project team conducting the study, was recognized for the excellent use of advanced high-strength steels in the development of three front lower control arm designs. The award-winning designs offer significant weight reduction when compared to traditional steel and cast iron designs. The award was presented at the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel seminar in Livonia, Mich.

The Multimatic project criteria required that the front lower control arm have structural performance and weight equal to a world-class forged aluminum front lower control arm. The project team was able to do this and reduce the cost of the component by over 30 percent.

"Reducing weight and cost is a primary objective when designing and building automotive components," Ron Krupitzer, vice president, automotive market for SMDI, said. "Multimatic's innovative use of advanced and ultra high-strength steels allowed the company to develop lightweight and cost-efficient stamping and forging solutions, while also favorably impacting the future of steel suspension designs."

The Automotive Excellence Award recognizes individuals or teams from automakers, suppliers or the academic community who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive marketplace.

Award winners are chosen from presentations given at the previous year's Great Designs in Steel seminar. Candidates are rated in several categories including: implementation in production; overall contribution to the advancement of steel; challenges and benefits associated with cost, mass reduction and performance; replacement of competitive materials; and structural performance and efficiency.

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org

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