Edelbrock revs up capacity: Edelbrock Corp. banks on Americans' love of the automobile for the success of its cast aluminum aftermarket parts

Modern Casting, Dec, 2008 by Shannon Wetzel, Alfred T. Spada

"In this business, you have to look for openings," Edelbrock said. "It's very hard to forecast because it just depends on what our research and development can set up."

Edelbrock's main cast products are manifolds and cylinder heads, which are often sold as part of a power package to supercharge an engine.

"Our customers want what is called seat-of-the-pants performance--to feel the power when they leave the traffic signal and cross the intersection," Edelbrock said.

Because it serves enthusiasts who own their cars as a hobby, the automotive aftermarket is not tied closely to the automobile industry, and according to Edelbrock, the company has been able to distance itself from the U.S. automobile industry's recent pains. In fact, in other periods of a slow economy, Edelbrock Corp. saw an increased interest from those who would rather refurbish a used car than purchase a new one.

The most recent economic downturn has been a little different. Even when customers take into account the relatively good fuel mileage of a rebuilt engine and the appeal of spending less on a used car than on buying a new one, the money spent in the automotive aftermarket is still discretionary dollars. Rebuilding a hobby car is low on the priority list when money is tight.

But Edelbrock has faith in his company and the industry. According to him, restoring cars is not a passing trend. "The love affair people have with their cars is so great," he said. "We know the enthusiasm will be there when we get out of [the recession]."

Shannon Wetzel, Managing Editor, and Alfred T. Spada, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief