casting

Investment casting markets increased steadily over 40 years to the mid 1980s, when demands for new aircraft boosted both the sales of investment castings and industry capacity. The market continued expanding up to 1990, when annual worldwide turnover reached about £3,000 million. Over the next few years, aerospace and defense demands dropped and output decreased, in some countries by as much as 15-20％. Since 1994, however, general commercial demand has picked up and with recent aircraft orders turnover is approaching its previous high. Based on data published in early 1996, annual world turnover is estimated as £2,800 million. North America (essentially the US) accounts for about half, Western Europe a quarter, and the Pacific Rim countries 20％. Within Western Europe, the UK remains the biggest national producer with output of £300 million, followed by France (£185 million) and Germany (£135 million). Britain is home to about 50 of the 125 or so western European investment casting foundries, employing roughly 5,500 people in an industry which leads the European community.