What to look for when choosing a foundry

Published - 29th Nov 2017

If you’re looking for a casting supplier, choosing the right foundry is essential to ensure the highest quality standards. The cost, technical capabilities and turnaround times are all key factors but there are many other considerations to add into the mix. So, what should you be looking for when choosing a supplier?

In this first of two blogs, we’ll be guiding you through the process.

Visit the foundry

Having confirmed your technical requirements, the next step is to visit the site, meet the team and see the facilities first hand.

At Haworth Castings, we always encourage prospective customers to visit so they can see for themselves what we offer. A tour of the facilities provides a great opportunity to ask questions, see the aluminium casting process in action and look at work samples.

Take note of every detail. Important points to consider include:

• Are the managers proactive and obliging?
• Is the environment well organised and managed efficiently?
• What quality processes are in place?
• How is health and safety managed?

Find out as much as possible so you can make an informed decision.

Meet the team

The success of any business is dependent on its people and their expertise – and this is certainly true in the casting industry.

Find out about the skills and experience of the foundry team:

• How is training and development managed?
• Is there a low or high turnover of staff?
• How long has the company been in business?

At Haworth Castings, we’re very proud that a high proportion of our engineers have worked for the business for many years – having originally started training with us! So, they have a wealth of experience, acquired through years of working in the foundry and honing their skills.

Facilities and maintenance

Alongside the people, you should also look closely at the facilities:

• Has the company invested in new machinery when needed?
• When were the machines installed and are they serviced regularly? Preventative maintenance is important to prevent unnecessary wear and damage.
• Does the equipment need to be calibrated and, if so, is this carried out routinely?

Importantly, find out whether all the aluminium casting work is carried out on site or whether some of the work is sub-contracted to another supplier. If the work is outsourced, check the credentials of the sub-contractor.

In part two of this blog, we’ll be turning our attention to quality control and environmental considerations.

Want to find out more about our casting capabilities? Call us today on +44 (0)1794 512685 or email us: sales@haworthcastings.co.uk