Automotive OEMs are under unprecedented pressure to deliver high-quality, reliable vehicles to the market to stay competitive in a tightening industry. One of the most significant challenges to meeting their objectives is removing bottlenecks and production delays when working with multiple parts and component suppliers.

An efficient way to accomplish this is to review their supplier portfolios to identify and increase their partnerships with experienced, single-source providers capable of scaling production without sacrificing quality. 

Not only will reducing handoffs between suppliers result in smoother workflows, but it will also help create a smaller, more dynamic supply chain that’s more resilient to external pressures.

It really doesn’t have to be said, but we’ll say it anyway: braking systems are perhaps the most critical aspect of safe automobile operation. 

Although the concept of braking is quite simple – you apply pressure to the brake pedal, and the car slows until it stops – the mechanics behind the system are quite complex, especially given how often we use our brakes every day. That’s why braking system parts and components have three non-negotiable fabrication requirements that must be adhered to with every new build:

Over the last few decades, automation has been increasingly making inroads into manufacturing production facilities. This boom, a critical part of what’s known as Industry 4.0, enables faster, more cost-effective manufacturing that optimizes quality.

Here at Kenona Industries/Arrow Automotive, we understand that automation is changing manufacturing for the better. That’s why we follow a longstanding tradition of adopting new technology that helps our automotive OEM customers meet their production goals.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Kenona Industries/Arrow Automotive team will be attending the American Foundry Society’s Metalcasting Congress 2026, taking place in our hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, from April 14 – 16!

Our team will be at Booth 539 at DeVos Place Convention Center, ready to answer your questions about how we can help you solve your most complex precision-machining and metalworking challenges.

Automotive trends drive our industry, requiring precision-machined suppliers to respond dynamically to change when OEMs require them. Fortunately, multi-market automotive component producers like Kenona Industries are well-positioned with the tools, talent, and infrastructure to provide virtually any precision-machined part and assembly for every internal combustion engine (ICE) or electric vehicle (EV) on the market today, whether for personal, commercial, or defence applications.

Happy New Year! Now that we’ve turned the calendar on another year, we thought we’d share what we’re seeing as the most significant trends in precision machine automotive parts and components fabrication.

We believe that although these trends may seem like separate issues, they will both help automotive OEMs evaluate suppliers, negotiate reliability, and plan long-term manufacturing capacity.

As a leading precision-machine parts and components supplier to government agencies and defense contractors, Kenona Industries, a division of Arrow Automotive, prioritizes not just providing high-quality castings and extrusions but also ensuring compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) guidelines for data control, documentation, and accountability.

In this month’s blog, we discuss ITAR’s impact on casting and extrusion fabrication for defense applications.

As a leading supplier of precision-machined automotive parts and components to Tier 1, 2, and 3 customers, Kenona Industries, a division of Arrow Automotive, must hold specialized certifications in world-class quality programs. These certifications showcase our ongoing commitment to creating high-quality products of uncompromising durability, reliability, and performance.

With electric vehicles continuing to increase their automotive market share year over year since 2021, automotive component manufacturers have needed to upgrade their production lines with technology that supports the precision machining of EV components.

BEV battery enclosures are one such component that’s critical to the safe, reliable operation of EVs.

When automobile shoppers comment on a vehicle’s smooth, quiet ride, they often have noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) damping technology to thank.

NVH dampening is a crucial part of providing drivers with a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable ride. These precision-machined components absorb, redirect, or minimize vibrational energy before it can transmit into the cabin.

When NVH dampers are fabricated and installed correctly, the reward is a vehicle more attractive to buyers. However, even minor flaws in the component’s design can trigger persistent customer complaints, costly warranty claims, or regulatory compliance issues.