Telford-based Magna Cosma Casting UK, an automotive specialist, has been named as the ‘Best of British Casting Company’ at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards in recognition of its domestic and global sales rising significantly. The company has defied uncertainty in the sector to post one of the best years in its history, impressing judges with the way it has developed a high-pressure die casting digital twin while also leveraging design methodology and traditional manufacturing methods. This approach has seen the company boost its workforce by 40% and has been critical in helping it support the production of large structural body and chassis castings that reduce costs and increase value for UK and international customers.
Organised by the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), there were also major accolades for Kent’s Maybrey Precision Castings and the Black Country’s Newby Foundries Ltd (joint Component of the Year winners), with Goodwin Steel Castings Ltd claiming the ‘Innovation’ title. The Stoke-on-Trent-based company, a provider of critical duty steel castings for the petrochemical, power generation, nuclear and defence sectors, has implemented a remarkable carbon neutrality plan that has resulted in several firsts for the foundry industry.
Additionally, a host of shop floor innovations has seen it reduce its CO2 from 17 to 7 tons per ton of product and this has reduced its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) liability by nearly 60%. Having obtained the ISO 50001 accredited energy management system, Goodwin Steel Castings has also installed on-site solar generation which, with an output of 3.5MW, has generated 8.4% of its total electricity usage over the last 12 months and the company is now aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035.
Dr Pam Murrell, chief executive of the Cast Metals Federation, said: “The UK cast metals sector continues to push boundaries, to innovate and to embrace technologies like 3D printing, simulation and digital twins – this is clearly evident with the depth of quality we saw across our 20 finalists and our eventual four winners. We can be proud of what we make, and the way that we make our castings, largely using recycled metal. There is no doubt in my mind that our industry can be part of the Government’s solution and Industrial Strategy to grow UK manufacturing, our supply chains and the wider economy.”
