Gibbs is a manufacturer of aluminum die castings headquartered in Henderson, Kentucky. It is the second largest KEI subsidiary. Specialties of Gibbs are high-volume, complex aluminum die castings that are machined and assembled into innovative, high-end, technically-complex automotive components. Gibbs manufacturing facilities include die casting plants, machining plants, die tool plants, and engineering and administration offices. The company has locations in Europe and North America with its technical center and headquarters located in Henderson, KY, USA. The growth of this subsidiary has been fueled by the automotive segment. The trend toward lighter automobiles and increased fuel efficiency has led the manufacturers to replace iron and steel components with aluminum parts. This requires special processes to achieve the required mechanical properties of the end product which must meet strict standards for quality, durability, strength, etcÉ. Gibbs has been a leader in developing and implementing new technology to meet these quickly changing requirements. This has enabled the company to grow at a rate well in excess of the growth of the automotive industry. Also adding to Gibbs growth is the fact that there are a limited number of companies with the technical expertise that is necessary to consistently produce high-end, tight-tolerance machined castings and assemblies.