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Last week, ASF-K de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. officials were joined by Mexico President Vicente Fox and Hidalgo Gov. Miguel Osorio Chong at a ceremony to mark the grand opening of the company’s steel casting plant in Sahagun, Mexico. ASF-K de Mexico — a newly incorporated Mexican company owned by ASF-Keystone Inc. — plans to begin full production at the plant by the end of the first quarter.

The plant will produce steel for castings by melting recycled scrap metal. Workers will create freight-car castings by pouring molten steel into large silica sand molds. During the next 18 months, ASF-K de Mexico plans to hire 350 management and production employees; the company has hired 160 to date.

The plant will be managed by ASF-K de Mexico Vice President and General Director Tony Bauer, a long-time ASF-Keystone employee.

The Mexican federal, state of Hidalgo and Sahagun governments, and representatives of former employees/creditors of NACOMEX helped ASF-Keystone purchase and reopen the plant, according to ASF-K de Mexico.

ASF-Keystone is a division of Amsted Industries’ Amsted Rail Group, which also includes Brenco Inc. and Griffin Wheel Co.