Indianapolis Foundry

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Indianapolis Foundry was a DaimlerChrysler automobile foundry in Indianapolis, Indiana. The factory opened in 1890 as the "American Foundry Company" and was purchased later in 1925 by Chrysler and operated as a subsidiary. It became part of Chrysler property in 1946 and expanded in 1964, 1978, 1988, and went through a major remodel from 1996 through 2000. The plant covered 52 acres on Indianapolis' West Side.


BRIEF TIMELINE

1890s: American Foundry opens in Indianapolis.

1910-1920: The foundry makes engine blocks and heads for Apperson, Chalmers, Marmon, Maxwell, Stutz autos, Caterpillar tractors, Stutz fire trucks.

1925: Maxwell reorganizes as Chrysler Corp., turns to American Foundry as an engine block supplier.

1946: Chrysler buys American Foundry.

1950: New plant opens at 1100 S. Tibbs Ave.

1964: Expansion makes Tibbs foundry Central Indiana's largest.

1996: Foundry launches $225 million upgrade.

2003: DaimlerChrysler says Indianapolis foundry will close within four years.

2005: Foundry closes on September 30th, idling final 900 employees.

Foundry/ Brazil S.A. The 3.3/3.8L blocks were outsourced to Bruhl Foundry/ Germany. Current products: