Cast of winners at CMF awards

compared with the steel equivalent.

CMF Chairman and CEO of Castings PLC Adam Vicary opened the celebration dinner at the Drayton Manor Resort: “Despite the gloomy economic predictions, the majority of our foundries are doing well, and this is typified by the quality and innovation of our finalists.

“We can clearly see a commitment to innovation and problem solving, working with customers and embracing new technology from all our winners, not to mention a willingness to collaborate, develop workforces and push forward with sustainability.”

He continued: “The castings and foundry industry can be part of the solution to growth for the

UK. And let’s remember, our sector makes all the components a modern economy depends upon, and metals recycle forever.”

The UK Cast Metals Industry Awards, which attracted nearly 200 guests, focused on the great castings being manufactured in metal by UK foundries, and their huge achievements in innovation, growth and component performance.

Co-presented by Dr Pam Murrell of the Cast Metals Federation (CMF) and comedian Patrick Monahan, the evening clearly showcased the successes of the sector and its evolving impact on UK manufacturing.

This was typified by the Innovation winner, with Sarginsons Industries recognised for the way it has embraced the latest 4.0 digital platforms.

Based in Torrington Avenue in Coventry, the company took the strategic decision to invest in a series of digital twin activities that was fundamental in developing business strategy and improving supply chain management.

The new enhanced ‘design for manufacture’ not only includes the traditional aspects of design and simulation, but also now features property simulation, data mapping to client’s computer-aided engineering software and integrated optimised topography – all conducted before tooling manufacture.

Importantly, judges were really impressed with the way the automotive supplier has worked with leading UK universities and involved many of its apprentices, interns and graduates.

Anthony Evans, Chairman at Sarginsons Industries, said: “Our customers are now able to make informed decisions on design suitability, leading to significant lightweighting, through reduced safety factors, and critical reductions in development timescales. In fact, one of our clients has described this development as ‘the most exciting innovative concept in aluminium casting in the last 30 years’!”

The final element of the evening was a presentation from William Cook Cast Products on its work in making ‘Shiny Sheff’ –a memorial to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the HMS Sheffield during the Falklands conflict with the loss of 20 personnel.

Both the base and the crests were cast by the company in stainless streel and the memorial is now located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. 8 castmetalsfederation.com

The latest companies to join the Cast Metals Federation include a supplier, a service provider and a historic foundry company.

Supplier Ultraseal International Group Ltd is a global specialist in porosity sealing technology, whilst also offering a wide breadth of subcontract post casting treatments, such as powder coating, wet painting, chromating, pressure testing and shotblasting.

Gareth Ridge, Operations Manager, said “We pride ourselves on being a trusted partner to foundries to help achieve superior casting quality, cosmetic enhancement and ultimately delivering added value to our customers products, and by joining the Federation we can demonstrate our continued commitment to the castings industry in the UK.

Asset Disposal Services Ltd has joined the Cast Metals Federation to enhance its support of the UK foundry and castings industry. “We have been supporting the Federation and its members in the industry for many years but are keen to formalise this relationship by becoming a supplier member,” explains ADS Director Phil Stokes. “We have one simple objective, and that is to maximise the return generated for our clients from their surplus assets, whether that means single items or full production lines, without adding to their workload.”

Paralloy Ltd with its two divisions, Paralloy and Firth