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THE METALCASTING LANDSCAPE


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Equipment suppliers share a snapshot of the current market. AN MCDP STAFF REPORT


ince the economic low point in 2009, our annual “Census of World Casting Production” has shown signifi cant changes in U.S. metalcasting capacity and utilization. It had been at 77% in 2007, and it dropped to 51% in 2009. At 16.4 mil- lion metric tons in 2012, utilization had rebounded to 82%. T e U.S. is second in the world in casting shipments


based on tonnage. Based on data secured through the 47th Census (see Jan/Feb 2014), China shipped 42.5 million metric tons of metal castings in 2012, with India in third at 9.34 million metric tons. Following the U.S. and India are Japan (5.34 million metric tons), Germany (5.21), Russia


(4.3), Brazil (2.86), Korea (2.44), Italy (1.96) and France (1.8). T e industry is forecast to continue its upward trend (see chart), with growth in


U.S. casting sales expected to top $37 million in 2016, in almost all metals. “From our North American customers, we are seeing an improvement in the num-


ber of investment opportunities being evaluated, and some have proceeded forward,” said Richard Stewart, CEO, Roberts Sinto Corp., Lansing, Mich. “However, we do believe there are many more opportunities for both quality and productivity improve- ments that are being delayed due to the uncertainty of the economic outlook.” U.S. metalcasters set themselves apart from their competition, at home and among a


growing base of global fi rms, in a variety of ways. T ose serving the federal government benefi t from rules requiring product that is manufactured domestically, sustaining their business through tough times in other markets. Casting suppliers with plants here and


in foreign countries place work strategi- cally to balance production and serve international customers. Speed to market is an advantage for


North American casting providers of any size whose domestic clients require quick turnaround or the fl exibility to make frequent product changes. Engineering support might be considered the greatest value-added off ering a metalcaster can put on the table. Many successful fi rms partner with their customers to meet challenging requirements, developing in- novative new methods and alloys. “[We have] experienced a signifi cant


increase in capital equipment orders this year compared to the last fi ve years,” said Bill Hunter, president and CEO, Hunter Foundry Machinery Corp., Schaumburg, Ill. “T e foundries that are and will perform well are the ones that have invested in technology and human resources that will carry them forward.” Stewart noted, “Most of the equip- ment opporutnities we see are for tech- nology and productivity upgrades.” While there are major expansions


and even entirely new facilites being built, the trend domestically is toward lean manufacturing intitatives and shrewd decisionmaking regarding new vs. used equipment expenditures. 


@ Globally, casting production has recovered to prerecession levels. Sept/Oct 2014 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 37


ONLINE RESOURCE


See the digital edition for a list of headlines tracking the U.S. metalcast- ing industry’s recovery from recession.


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