Wednesbury-based aluminium casting foundry Alucast has announced a £1.2m expansion programme in its fiftieth year of business as demand for its products increases.

Alucast has experience of supplying almost every industrial sector, including the automotive, agriculture, hydraulics, vacuum and electrical goods sectors, using the three main manufacturing methods of sand, gravity die (permanent mould) and high-pressure die castings.

The firm’s plans include investment in a new technical centre and machine shop that will create 20 new jobs for the region. The company already employs 105 people and boasts annual sales of £7m.

Alucast’s investment in the new facility is supported by Sandwell Council through ‘Growing Priority Sectors’ funding. The Regional Growth Fund is a UK fund that supports projects using private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.

Work on the new technical centre will start in June and forms part of Alucast’s strategy to generate further opportunities in the lightweight castings market. The extension will house the company’s existing CAD and MAGMA casting simulation facilities, non-destructive testing capabilities and its new five-axis CNC technology.

As the company celebrates its fiftieth anniversary year its long-term aim is to achieve £10m in annual sales. During 2017 the company will celebrate its long history and all of its achievements so far while laying plans for its future development and growth.

Alucast has come a long way from its origin as a local jobbing shop foundry to a major aluminium foundry offering a complete supply service to its customers worldwide.

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