. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eDitOrial


Metalcasters Probably Aren’t Who You Think They Are


M


etalcasters have a difficult time making people understand who they are and what they do. Yes, they are manufacturers, but they don’t make something familiar like a car or refrigerator. They make the engine


block or compressor housing that goes on that car or in that fridge. Taking it a step further, they take scrap metal and/or blocks of refined metal, melt it, and pour it into molds made of refrac- tory to produce those engine blocks and housings. It is important that people understand who metalcast- ers are and what they do because human beings are hesitant about the unfamiliar. In our case, this theory espe- cially applies to the general public, elected officials and regulators. But it also applies to you, the customer. You are all well-educated (either via work experience


engineering and relationship benefits of regionalized sourc- ing. Look to the article “Peerless Industries: From Low-Cost to In-House” on p. 20 for a real life example of this trend. As firms reacquaint themselves with the casting supply


This status of metalcasting as an “unknown” entity in the manufacturing world is one of the reasons we developed Metal Casting Design & Purchasing (formerly


chain in North America, reference our “Census of U.S. Cast- ing Production” on p. 38, as it details the current state of the domestic metalcast- ing market. Its companion is our web-based Foundry and Diecasting Directory at www.metalcastingdesign. com, where you can search for metal casting suppliers by metal, casting process and geography. We are delivering this


Engineered Casting Solutions) magazine in 1999.


or schooling or both) but you may only know a little about how a casting is designed and manufactured. In addition, you may know a few metalcasters that could supply your components, but you may not be sure how they com- pare to the rest of the industry or if they really are the best partner for you. This status of metalcasting as an “unknown” entity


in the manufacturing world is one of the reasons we developed Metal Casting Design & Purchasing (formerly Engineered Casting Solutions) magazine in 1999. It also is why we publish articles like the package running in this issue, titled, “Casting Markets in Focus,” on p. 26. The metalcasting world is a large and


diverse animal with its tentacles spread across all industrialized nations. The industry saw the flow of product from so-called “high-cost countries” to “low- cost countries” from the late 90s until just a few years ago. Now, we are in the midst of the return of these cast components as many buyers and designers have realized the total cost,


January/February 2011


information to you, our reader, to ensure you are better educated about the world of metalcasting. Ul- timately, the more familiar


you are with the process, the more comfortable you will feel designing and sourcing a part as an engineered cast component. We understand that all metal components are not cost-effectively produced as metal castings. However, we also know many components could be designed at a lower total cost as metal castings. I hope this package of articles helps you better un- derstand the state of the metalcasting industry today. Like all manufacturers, metalcasters are coming back from the recession ready, willing and able.


Alfred Spada, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief


If you have any comments about this editorial or any other item that appears in Metal Casting Design & Purchasing, email me at aspada@afsinc.org.


Metal Casting Design & PurChasing


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