American Axle facts for kids
 |
|
| Public | |
| Traded as |
|
| Industry | Automotive industry |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founders | Richard E. "Dick" Dauch and James W. McLernon |
| Headquarters |
Detroit, Michigan
,
U.S.
|
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
| Products |
|
| Revenue |  US$ 6.27 billion (FY 2017) |
|
Operating income
|
US$ 223.4 million (FY 2011) |
| US$ 337.1 million (FY 2017) |
|
| Total assets | US$ 2.3 billion (FY 2011) |
| Total equity | US$ -419.6 million (FY 2011) |
|
Number of employees
|
25,000 (2017) |
| Subsidiaries | Albion Automotive, United Kingdom |
American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (often called AAM) is a company based in Detroit, Michigan. It makes important parts for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. These parts help the vehicle's engine power its wheels.
Contents
Company History
AAM started in 1994. A group of investors, led by Richard E. "Dick" Dauch, bought a part of GM's Saginaw Division. This part made final drive and forge components.
In 1999, AAM became a public company. This means its shares can be bought and sold on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "AXL". AAM has grown a lot. It now supplies parts to many different car makers around the world. They make parts for passenger cars, light trucks, and even bigger commercial vehicles.
AAM's main office building was built in 2004. It is located right on the border of Detroit and Hamtramck.
AAM and General Motors
In 2008, a strike at AAM caused some problems for General Motors. This affected how many Chevrolet Malibu sedans and other vehicles GM could make at that time.
What AAM Makes
AAM makes many different parts that are key to how a vehicle moves. These include axles, drive shafts, and universal joints. They also make parts for sealing and managing heat in vehicles.
Vehicle Axles
Axles are rods or shafts that connect to the wheels and help them turn. AAM makes various types of axles, such as:
- 10.5" Corporate 14 Bolt Differential
- Saginaw 9.5-inch axle
Factory Changes
AAM closed its factories in Detroit in 2012. After that, they started tearing down many of the old buildings. By late 2013, most of the old manufacturing plant was gone.
In 2014, a company called Industrial Realty Group (IRG LLC) bought most of the Detroit/Hamtramck site. IRG LLC often reuses industrial buildings for new projects, like apartment complexes. AAM still owns its main office building and some green space at the site. They planned to build a new engineering center in the only building left from the original factory complex.
UK Operations
AAM has a company in Glasgow, Scotland, called Albion Automotive. This company is a subsidiary, meaning it is owned by AAM.
Other Companies Like AAM
AAM has several competitors in the United States. These are other companies that also make similar parts for vehicles. Some of them include:
- Meritor
- Dana
