One U.K. aluminum foundry is eyeing new market opportunities following a £2 million ($2.5 million) round of capital investments, including a new low-pressure diecasting machine and six CNC machining centers. The additions are expanding the “core capabilities” at Alucast Ltd., in Wednesbury, England, which has its sights on reaching the £10 million ($12.75 million) mark in annual sales thanks to new opportunities.
The highlight of the recent additions is an 800-mt high-pressure diecasting machine that anchors a fully automated production cell – meaning that Alucast can produce high-integrity parts can with minimal component handling.
The capital investments have been paralleled by an expanding workforce, which has grown by 20% to 120 workers.
“We have always taken a long-term, strategic view on how we move forward and this, firstly, has helped us negotiate some tough economic challenges,” according to Alucast CEO John Swift. “And, secondly, it is now helping us take advantage of opportunities in automotive, electrification, and hydraulic components.
“This is our largest investment drive in nearly a decade and reflects an increase in demand for our high- and low-pressure, gravity, and sand casting expertise, not to mention our expansive machining capabilities,” he added.
The CNC machining capabilities are proving to be particularly important as Alucast offers added-value services “blue-chip Tier 1s” as well as automakers, Swift reported. “We’re offering them the security of supply they are crying out for,” he said.