Choosing the right foundry can make or break the success of your casting project. From meeting engineering tolerances to ensuring long-term reliability and cost efficiency, not all foundries are created equal.
Whether you’re looking for prototypes, high-volume runs, or a single-source partner for casting and machining, it pays to dig deeper than surface-level capabilities. At Precision Enterprises, we’ve spent nearly 80 years in the aluminum sand casting business. So, we’ve seen foundries come and go and what separates reliability from risky bets.
Here are six steps you don’t want to skip when choosing a casting foundry:
1) Start with Financial Stability
The most important and first step when choosing a casting foundry should be an investigation of the financial strength of the organization. Why bother with wasting time looking at the foundries’ capabilities when they might be on the verge of receivership?
As with all manufacturing businesses, they need cash flow to keep things moving. From finding and keeping good employees who want to pour 1200-degree metal in August, to shopping for just the right priced aluminum in quantities large enough to handle the daily pour requirements. An experienced foundry will know that when metal is a commodity, like it is in the current economy, it makes it even harder for foundries to buy low without running short.
What to look for:
- Longevity in the industry
- Active shifts and high production volume
- Tour the facility/Investment of employees and equipment
- Inventory of metal on hand
- Alloy in stock
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: We have been in business for 8 decades. We have survived recessions, gas rationing, good times, bad times, everything you can think of, and we are still pouring metal and machining castings. The 3rd generation is now at the helm, and every year we have increased our bottom line.
2) Capital Investment and Modernization
Technology matters. Look at the level of capital investment the foundry has made in its facilities and equipment. Do they have automated molding machines? There is more modern molding equipment available today that takes away the hard labor that was necessary years ago. Not only is this equipment faster and less labor-intensive, but it also holds better tolerances and gives a much better RMS surface finish. If the foundry regularly invests in modernizing its operations and equipment, they are likely to be more efficient and capable of producing higher-quality products.
What to look for:
- Automated molding equipment
- Modern sand control system
- Environmental responsibility (recycling, reclamation)
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: This begins with a state-of-the-art automated sand system that regulates the temperature, resins, binder, clay, and moisture of the sand. It then delivers the sand to an overhead conveyor system that routes the sand to our automated molding line. Years ago, the molder had to shovel the sand into the molds. Now this process is all automated, meaning less strain on our molders.
Our molding equipment comes from the Sinto Corporation. Depending upon the configuration of the casting, we can produce up to 800 molds per 8-hour shift. The molding is all done by machine, meaning the castings come out more alike, with fewer deviations from casting to casting.
Our sand is reclaimed and used over and over again, with components added to it as needed. Our aluminum is recycled and used as remelts in non-critical castings.
♻️ We are a very green organization.
3) Understand Their Market Position
Take a look at the industries the foundry serves. Are these industries growing or shrinking? A foundry with a strong market presence and a diverse customer base is likely to be more resilient to economic fluctuations.
What to look for:
- Variety of industries served
- Stability and diversity of customer base
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: We supply parts for industries including medical devices, hospital equipment such as birthing beds, C-Arm Xray, overhead lighting, robotics, power distribution, after-market auto, musical, and more. Our customers range from large defense contractors, second tier auto, to smaller musical tympani drum manufacturers. When we say we have a diverse customer base, we truly mean it!
4) Assess Growth Potential
Can this foundry grow or have they reached their potential? This includes their ability to expand their product range, enter new markets, and increase their production capacity. You want a partner that can scale with you—whether it’s prototyping a new design or ramping up for full production.
What to look for:
- Expansion into new industries or services
- Ability to scale operations
- Partnerships with design and prototyping firms
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: One of the largest growing industries for us is MedTech. We have several customers in this niche along with multiple design firms that need prototypes and eventually production runs.
We also provide the growing robotics industry with many cast and machined parts.
5) Look for Full-Service, One Source Capabilities
Raw castings are just the beginning. Do they machine in-house? Can they finish and assemble your parts, or will you need to manage multiple vendors?
What to look for:
- In-house machining
- Finishing services (e.g., powder coat, e-coat, anodizing)
- Assembly, kitting, and packaging
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: We make life easier for our customers. Many prefer placing one purchase order with one point of contact—us. We handle cast, machine, paint, powder coat, iridite, ecoat, assemble, kit, package, just about anything our customer throws at us, we do!
6) Ask What Else Can They Solve!
A great foundry doesn’t just pour metal—they solve problems. Do they offer engineering support? Can they recommend design or material changes to reduce costs or improve performance?
What to look for?
- Engineering and design support
- Collaborative problem solving
- Value-added consultation
💡 Precision Enterprises Expert Insights: We lead with engineering expertise. From recommending the best alloys and finishes to helping you optimize tooling and tolerances; our in-house engineering staff brings decades of knowledge to every project.
More Than a Foundry – One Source, One Responsibility
Choosing the right casting partner isn’t just about molten metal. It’s about trust, capability, and long-term value. At Precision Enterprises, we don’t just pour metal. We deliver engineered solutions that make your life easier and your products better.
Let us put our 80 years of experience and cutting-edge technology to work for you. Reach out today for a quote.
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