wax but also for pattern production. This enabled the economic and environmental savings to be passed on to the customer.


Q: A:


It


is our understanding that The Blayson Group is a


family-owned business. How is the Group facing the transition to the next generation?


The next generation of family members directly involved


in the operation of the business are Gavin Williams Financial Director and Matthew Williams Business Development Director. Gavin graduated in Mathematics from York University and Matthew graduated in Engineering from The University of East Anglia and The University of Colorado. After graduating both were employed outside of the industry for several years and on joining Blayson were able to bring their knowledge and experience to the operation of the company therefore allowing a smooth transition and stability.


Q: A:


and Quality


What does strategy elements such as Research, Innovation represent


within Blayson Group?


These items are regarded as highly important within The


Blayson Group Ltd. Each year we set a research and development programme focused around process and material improvements. The Blayson Technical Centre at Cambridge is continually looking to innovate, and this was recognised in the 2014 Cast Metals Federation Innovation of the year award for work related to the theory of Wax Thermal Hysteresis. The company is ISO 9001:2015 accredited emphasising the important role quality plays within the operation of the company.


Q: A:


The digital transformation is affecting our whole society in


many ways. How are you facing those changes both in terms of operations and business projection?


Blayson is embracing the digital age and is continually


looking to use technology to improve ® the


the manufacturing process together with the collection and analysis of manufacturing and wax control data.


Q: A:


You have been an active EICF Board member for many


years now. What will be the important elements


you would highlight in


relation of the role of Associations vs the Industry?


The EICF is of major importance and benefit to the investment


casting industry, it provides a forum for meetings and conferences and has the ability to bring the industry together. It provides a service of education and information to its members and is a recognisable body that provides collective representation to European groups.


Q: A:


How do you assess the EICF evolution in relation with the membership and stakeholders needs & requirements?


Since the early days of the EICF, the main objective was to


organise conferences for foundries and suppliers to get together. It has now evolved into an organisation not only arranging high level conferences and workshops but with a board of directors representing a full cross section of the industry has the capability of influencing the development of investment casting.


Q:


The Blayson World Market studies have become the


reference into the Investment Casting Industry. How did you come to be


involved into the substantiation of these studies?


A:


Understanding market in- formation is critical for any


company operating in any industry. It has always been Blayson’s policy to understand the market in which it operates, and the company has been happy to share the information collated for the good of the industry.


Q: A:


Investment casting has been a continued growing market


since 2009. How do you see the future of the investment casting market?


Markets will always fluctuate but the growth of the last ten


years has been very positive for the industry. It is difficult to predict the future accurately but with the forward expectations for significant growth within the aerospace industry, the possible recovery within the industrial gas turbine market and strong growth forecasts in the automotive and commercial markets, the outlook for investment casting is positive.


Q: A:


What does the cooperation of the EICF with other International IC associations such as the Investment Casting Institute or the Japan Foundry Society mean to you?


We have come a long way since the early days of investment


casting. The cooperation between the various world associations is a significant achievement and can only be beneficial to the global industry and all those associated with it.


January 2019 ❘ 13


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