Consolidated Metco began in 1964 as an aluminum foundry operation. It was established to provide lightweight structural parts that were greatly needed in the heavy-duty truck market. Over the years, ConMet grew by acquisition and the addition of more diversified business interests.

ConMet entered the proprietary product market with ConMet aluminum alloy hubs. On October 4, 1985, then Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh helped ConMet celebrate the production of ConMet's one-millionth hub. In 1995, ConMet introduced a PreSet® Wheel End to help eliminate premature wheel end failure on trucks and trailers.

In 1965, ConMet developed a fuel water separator for heavy-duty trucks. Fleets and Owner-Operators were faced with the challenge of contamination in the fuel, causing a hardship of not being able to stay on the road. The design capabilities and simplicity of the ConMet Fuel Water Separator prevented fuel contamination and became a popular product.

During the 1980s, ConMet contracted and consolidated its facilities and general business interests to concentrate on aluminum permanent mold and low pressure castings, aluminum die castings, and structural foam and gas-assist plastic parts, with locations on both the East and West Coasts.

In 1989, Varlen Corporation (NASDAQ:VRLN) of Naperville, Illinois, purchased ConMet. Product offerings have since been introduced to the European truck and trailer manufacturers.

In 1999, Amsted Industries acquired Varlen Corporation. With Varlen's purchase, Amsted Industries becomes the leader in three niche end markets through its two business segments. It makes components for railroad freight cars and locomotives, heavy-duty trucks and trailers, and automotive and light trucks.

In 2002 ConMet is pleased to announce the ISO/TS 16949:1999 certification of their Monroe, NC plant.

In 2003 ConMet announced the addition of PreSet Ductile Iron Trailer Hubs for trailers and the CastLite, a lightweight, economical Brake Drum.

In March of 2004, ConMet launched a revolutionary new brake drum called TruTurn, which is fully-machined on the inside and outside.

At the 2005 MidAmerica Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky, ConMet was awarded the 2004 Technical Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) in recognition of this revolutionary brake drum.

On January 5, 2009, ConMet relocated its corporate headquarters from the Rivergate District of Portland, Oregon – a site it had occupied since the company’s inception in 1964 - to the banks of the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington.

Also in January of 2009, the Weifang Haoxin ConMet Mechanical Products Co., a joint venture iron foundry and machine shop, went into full production in the Shandong Province of China. A 75,000 sq ft machine shop is focused on the finish machining of ductile iron hubs and grey iron brake drums. This new facility also includes a 150,000 sq ft automated foundry with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons.