In a resounding testament to South Africa’s growing prowess in the metal casting industry, the nation’s finest foundries took centre stage at the prestigious Bright World of Metals 2023 trade fair held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Under the guiding support of the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), a national industry support programme funded by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic), together with the South African Institute of Foundrymen (SAIF) and the Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) as knowledge partners – the South African pavilion drew admiration and awe from global visitors, leaving an indelible mark on the international metal casting landscape.

The participation of South African companies and organisations in the trade fair, enabled South Africa to showcase its capabilities and innovations to a global audience,” said the NFTN technology transfer and localisation project manager Isidore Kilongozi.

“By backing the South African pavilion, the NFTN together with the dtic demonstrated its commitment to fostering growth and competitiveness in the country’s foundry sector. The support of the industry associations indicates a collaborative effort to strengthen the industry’s knowledge base. These partnerships contributed expertise and insights to the South African pavilion’s offerings, providing valuable information about the country’s foundry and aluminium sectors to the international audience at the trade fair,” added Kilongozi.

The pavilion’s presence also saw the launch of the Foundry Value Chain Online Directory, SA-Foundries website. This directory, stood as a testament to NFTN’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration within the metal casting industry.

“The website is a digital gold mine for the industry. Building and populating the SA-Foundries website which now hosts more than 190 South African foundries and companies within the metal castings value chain is a digital treasure trove for the industry,” said SA-Foundries and NFTN Communications Manager, Constance Mokhoantle speaking about the directory.

“This platform serves as a bridge between industry players and potential customers worldwide, creating a virtual marketplace for South African expertise to thrive on a global scale,” she explained.

“One of the key motivations behind launching this online directory was to ensure that even the companies unable to attend the trade fair had a robust presence on the international stage. Recognising the immense value each foundry brings to the industry,” said Mokhoantle.

The NFTN made an effort to represent the entire spectrum of South African capabilities and expertise within the metal casting community. Through SA-Foundries, companies that couldn’t physically make it to GIFA were virtually present, reaching out to the global audience and showcasing their capabilities with pride. This digital outreach became a shining example of South Africa’s spirit of unity and support, where each foundry’s success contributes to the collective growth of the nation’s metal casting industry.

With a user-friendly interface and a wealth of information at their fingertips, visitors to SA-Foundries were treated to a showcase of South African foundries’ products and services. The directory’s launch also facilitated meaningful connections and collaborations, ensuring that the industry’s expertise could flourish beyond the boundaries of a single trade fair.

South Africa’s shining presence at GIFA was more than just a display of products and technology. It was a testament to the nation’s resilience, collaboration, and determination to embrace the future of metal casting with open arms. The NFTN believes that the South African foundry industry is capable to redefine the global metal casting landscape, painting a bright and promising picture for years to come.

This article was first published in Castings SA. Click here to read the full article.