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JL French's Overview

Total employees108
HeadquartersSheboygan
Founded1968

J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. was a prominent manufacturer specializing in designing and producing high-pressure die-cast aluminum and magnesium components, primarily for the automotive industry. Their products included complex powertrain, engine, and structural components supplied to major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Founded in 1968, the company grew to operate multiple facilities in North America and Europe. In 2012, J.L. French was acquired by Nemak, S.A.B. de C.V., a leading global provider of innovative lightweighting solutions for the automotive industry. Post-acquisition, J.L. French's operations and assets were integrated into Nemak.

Where is JL French's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Historically served as the central hub for corporate administration, strategic planning, engineering oversight, and financial management for J.L. French's global die-casting operations.

Notable Features:

The headquarters likely housed key executive offices and support functions necessary for managing a multi-plant manufacturing enterprise. Specific architectural details are not widely publicized, but it would have been equipped to support its role as a corporate center.

Work Culture:

As a key supplier to the demanding automotive industry, the work culture at J.L. French likely emphasized precision engineering, manufacturing efficiency, stringent quality control, and strong, responsive customer relationships with automotive OEMs. (Inferred based on industry standards and company's historical market position).

HQ Significance:

The Sheboygan headquarters was significant as the command center for a company that played a crucial role in the automotive supply chain, recognized for its advanced die-casting technology and capabilities in producing critical automotive components.

Values Reflected in HQ: Historically, the operations managed from this headquarters would have reflected values such as engineering excellence, innovation in die-casting processes, a commitment to high-quality manufacturing, and adaptability to the evolving needs of the automotive sector. (Inferred).

Location:

Prior to its acquisition, J.L. French Automotive Castings maintained a significant global presence tailored to the automotive industry. This was primarily through its network of manufacturing plants and engineering capabilities located in the United States (e.g., Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky), Mexico (Saltillo), and Europe (Valls, Spain, and formerly Basildon, UK). These facilities provided comprehensive support including design collaboration, advanced engineering, and high-volume production of complex die-cast aluminum and magnesium components. Its global functions encompassed manufacturing excellence, strategic sales and marketing targeting major OEMs, integrated supply chain management, and dedicated customer-specific engineering and technical support worldwide.

Street Address:

2459 W.P. Nalton Dr.

City:

Sheboygan

State/Province:

Wisconsin

Country:

USA

JL French's Global Presence

Glasgow, Kentucky, USA

Address: Historical manufacturing plant; specific street address not readily available.

Primarily supplied automotive components to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers located in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, leveraging its strategic location.

Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA

Address: Historical manufacturing and engineering site; specific street address not readily available.

Served automotive clients in the Michigan automotive hub and the broader Midwest region, facilitating close collaboration with major auto manufacturers.

Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

Address: Historical manufacturing plant; specific street address not readily available.

Catered to OEM assembly plants in Mexico and supported export activities to the U.S. and other markets, benefiting from logistical advantages.

Valls, Tarragona, Spain

Address: Historical manufacturing plant; specific street address not readily available.

Strengthened J.L. French's presence in the competitive European automotive market, allowing it to serve clients across the continent with localized production and support.

Buying Intent Signals for JL French

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of JL French

As of April 2025, JL French' leadership includes:

Thomas G. Armstrong - President and Chief Executive Officer (at the time of Nemak acquisition in 2012)
Robert M. Weber - Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (a key leader during significant periods of the company's operation)

Investors of JL French

JL French has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Public Shareholders (the company was formerly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker JLFC)
Onex Corporation (a private equity firm that acquired J.L. French and took it private in 1999)
Nemak, S.A.B. de C.V. (Acquired J.L. French in 2012, integrating it into its global operations. Nemak is part of ALFA S.A.B. de C.V.)

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire0
Exits0

J.L. French Automotive Castings was acquired by Nemak in 2012 and ceased to operate as an independent entity. Consequently, there have been no executive hires or exits specifically attributable to J.L. French in the last 12 months. Any executive movements related to former J.L. French assets or operations would occur within the Nemak corporate structure.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by JL French

Discover the tools JL French uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

JL French Email Formats and Examples

Email formats previously used by J.L. French Automotive Castings are now obsolete due to the company's acquisition by Nemak in 2012. All business communications related to former J.L. French operations are conducted through Nemak's corporate email systems. Historical email formats (e.g., patterns like jdoe@jlfrench.com or john.doe@jlfrench.com) are no longer active or relevant for current communication.

N/A (Company acquired; legacy email formats are obsolete)

Format

N/A

Example

0%

Success rate

News and media

Business Wire (Nemak Press Release)July 2, 2012

Nemak Concludes Acquisition of J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc.

Nemak, S.A.B. de C.V. announced the successful completion of its acquisition of J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. This strategic move was aimed at strengthening Nemak's global leadership in aluminum components for the automotive industry by expanding its manufacturing footprint, technological capabilities, and customer base in North America and Europe....more

Reuters / Alfa SAB de CV FilingDecember 20, 2011

Nemak Announces Agreement to Acquire J.L. French Automotive Castings

Nemak, a subsidiary of Alfa S.A.B. de C.V., announced it had reached an agreement to acquire J.L. French Automotive Castings. The transaction was valued at approximately $303 million, plus the assumption of debt (total enterprise value around $400 million), as part of Nemak's strategy to enhance its high-pressure die casting (HPDC) capabilities and expand its market share....more

The New York Times ArchivesJune 22, 1999

COMPANY NEWS; ONEX CORP. TO ACQUIRE J.L. FRENCH FOR $172 MILLION

Onex Corporation announced its agreement to acquire J.L. French Automotive Castings Inc. for $172 million in cash, or $14 a share. Including the assumption of $288 million in debt, the total transaction was valued at about $460 million. This deal resulted in J.L. French becoming a privately held company....more

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