STATE OF THE U.S.
METALCASTING
INDUSTRY
Today’s U.S. metalcasting industry consists of 2,100
facilities manufacturing engineered
components out of iron, steel, aluminum, copper-base, magnesium
and almost any other metal alloy
that can be melted and poured into
a mold. In 2008, the industry
shipped more than 12 million tons
of castings with a value of about
$31 billion.
While literally thousands of markets use metal castings, the largest in
terms of tonnage are automotive and
truck, pipe and fittings, construction,
mining and oil field equipment, internal combustion engines, railroad
equipment, farm machinery and military (Figure 1). The reality is that
more than 90% of all manufactured
goods contain metal castings.
As one of the foundation industries for manufacturing, the current
recession has hit the U.S. (and global) metalcasting industry hard. Shipments of metal castings in 2009 are
forecast to be the lowest in decades.
However, moving forward, as the
economy is expected to rebound, so
are shipments of metal castings. In
2010, shipments of metal castings
are forecast to increase 10%.
LIKE MOST OF MANUFACTURING, THE
METALCASTING INDUSTRY HAS FELT
THE PAIN OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC
CRISIS. HOWEVER, MORE THAN 90% OF
MANUFACTURING HAS SOME TYPE OF
METALCASTING. BOTH THE SHORT- AND
LONG-TERM FORECASTS FOR THIS
INDUSTRY CALL FOR GROWTH AND
STABILITY.
BY ALFRED SPADA
Car/Truck 31%
Pipe Fittings 15%
Other 12%
Military 7%
Construc., Mining, Oil Field 6%
Railroad 6%
Internal Combustion Eng. 5%
Valves 5%
Farm Machinery 4%
Special Industry Machinery 3%
Municipal 3%
Pumps and Compressors 3%
Figure 1. Major Markets for U.S. Metal
Castings in 2008
