Equipment Failure at Wyman-Gordon

Precision Castparts Corp. reports that a the 29,000-ton forging press “failed” at its Wyman-Gordon subsidiary in Houston, on Thursday, November 20. The machine manufactures aircraft-engine components.

"We have notified our customers about this unfortunate failure and will work closely with them to mitigate production interruptions," stated Precision Castparts chairman Mark Donegan. "The primary output of the 29,000-ton press is aircraft engine components; the other Houston product lines are not affected."

PCC stated that it has “a risk mitigation strategy in place” in response to the equipment outage. It said it plans to coordinate its response with customers. And, it is analyzing the extent of the repairs that will be required to fix the press.

According to Wyman-Gordon, about 70% of the parts produced on the press can be produced on another press at the Houston plant. The rest can be produced, “within a reasonable period of time,” at other Wyman-Gordon plants.