Detroit Tool Metal Products to Receive $2 Million in Funding for New Manufacturing Process

Detroit Tool Metal Products (DTMP; Lebanon, MO) announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $2 million in funding to develop an improved manufacturing process for the use of advanced titanium metal in military vehicles.

The funding is part of a $214 million appropriation package ushered through the Senate Appropriations Committee by Missouri Senator Kit Bond to be used in important defense projects. With the funds, DTMP will work with the Department of Energy to design and develop state-of-the-art processes and equipment to make tactical vehicles lighter, stronger, safer and more reliable by incorporating titanium into their structures.

"This is exciting news for all of us at DTMP," said Steve Westfall, CEO and president of DTMP. "It is a great way for us to diversify and enhance our capabilities. Projects that can help our government and country are special and tend to bring out the best in all those working on them. They can also lead to other projects both for the government and the private sector down the road."

Before being signed into law, the committee-passed bill must be passed by the full Senate and reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives. DTMP anticipates funds could be available as soon as the first quarter of 2010.

"Whether fighting militants in Afghanistan or continuing our counterinsurgency role in Iraq, our warfighters must have the equipment they need to be successful," Senator Bond said. "I'm proud to support Detroit Tool Metal Products and Missouri workers as they work to provide our warfighters with improved army tactical vehicles that will carry them through the dangers of the battlefield and safely home."

According to Will Scruggs, the DTMP director of engineering, the project is a perfect fit for the new engineering center at DTMP. "The project will allow us to develop a current laboratory scale process and turn it into a production process that already has public and private sector interests. With this development project and other activities planned for our new engineering center, DTMP will be able to bring more business, more technology, and a more diverse range of jobs to the region."

Detroit Tool Metal Products (DTMP) is a leader in full-service precision metal stamping and fabrication for a broad range of markets that include the appliance, agriculture, construction, consumer products, class 8 trucking, heavy equipment, pharmaceutical and recreational products.

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