Since the market situation in the area of castings and forgings is developing dynamically, companies are confronted with continuously new challenges. However, opportunities are also opening up, for example through the growing demand for high-quality parts. And this is exactly where CastForge comes into play. In addition to foundries and forging plants, a large number of processors will also demonstrate their expertise from 4 to 6 June 2024.
Current market situation is creating challenges and opportunities
The company EMB Zerspanungstechnik GmbH will exhibit at CastForge in Stuttgart for the first time. Steffen Dittmann, Sales Manager at EMB, made the following comments in regard to the market situation: “The current conditions in the foundry industry can be regarded as critical. High energy costs and new government regulations, for example increased CO2 pricing, are leading to lower demand. End customers are therefore increasingly using benchmarks to compare foundries and downstream work processes, for example mechanical processing. The foundries which continually invested in their machines and focused on automation in the last few years have advantages here. If a foundry and a processor cooperate as a powerful and well-coordinated team, end customers benefit from this partnership."
More than 400 companies, including a large number of processors, have already registered
More than 400 companies have now registered for CastForge 2024 in order to cultivate and build up business relationships. These companies include a large number of processors which offer customised solutions and first-class processing opportunities. The current market situation provides them with a great opportunity.
The company Hennig GmbH is looking forward with optimism to its forthcoming participation in CastForge. "As a professional metal-cutting company, we will be exhibiting at CastForge for the second time. Global supply problems with expensive and time-intensive transport routes are having an adverse effect on many purchasers. We can act here as an ideal partner for foundries, forging plants, OEMs and end customers. In addition to traditional metal cutting, we perform processes such as profile broaching, inductive hardening and laser inscription. CastForge will not only enable us to become acquainted with customers, we will also discover new blank partners for our procurement. Buyers looking for a processor of complex machined parts for their blanks have found the right partner in us," said Claudius Hennig, Managing Director of Hennig GmbH, Pfullendorf.
Participation in CastForge will also be a première for TALLAG Saalfeld GmbH. With a workforce numbering more than 550 employees, the company specialises in the production of system components and highly complex assemblies. These are an elementary part of the value-added chains of its customers. " We do not perform miracles, but we convince with precision and quality. CastForge represents an opportunity for us to present our service portfolio in mechanical processing. This platform enables us to forge new contacts and strengthen cooperation with existing partners. We will be present at the trade fair with a team from the areas of sales, technology and purchasing in order to position ourselves as a reliable system supplier for the automotive sector and other industries," said Thomas Ose, Key Account Manager at TALLAG.
International perspective of Türkiye
Türkiye holds a significant position in the European casting and forging industry, ranking as the second-largest caster and forger in Europe and the seventh-largest globally, with a total production exceeding 3 million tonnes, according to the World Foundry Organization (WFO). The industry is poised for further growth, positioning Türkiye as a potential leader in European production.
Notably, the Turkish casting and forging sector exports over 70% of its production, with more than 50% destined for European markets, underscoring its vital role in the global market. However, the industry faces multifaceted challenges, including ongoing conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, which create uncertainties on both international and domestic fronts.
In addition to geopolitical challenges and a high inflation rate, the industry grapples with fluctuating currency values and the recent surge in energy prices. The latter, in particular, poses a significant challenge due to the energy-intensive nature of casting and forging processes. Turkish foundries are responding by implementing measures to enhance energy efficiency and exploring sustainable energy sources to mitigate the impact of soaring energy costs.
Çetin Tecdelioğlu, President of the Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association (İDDMİB), stated the following: "Germany stands as one of the foremost producers in Europe, wielding not only significant industrial prowess within its borders but also maintaining robust global connections. The strategic location of CastForge presents unparalleled opportunities to forge business relations, tapping into the strength of Germany's industrial landscape and its extensive ties on the global stage. Our collaboration with Messe Stuttgart has been robust, and I have a strong conviction that we will further fortify this partnership. This year, we're gearing up to participate in the trade fair with a stand covering an area of approximately 300 m², and I am optimistic that by 2026 our presence will expand even more with a larger pavilion."
About CastForge
As a trade fair, CastForge focuses on castings and forgings and their machining. The industry meets every two years at Messe Stuttgart in order to present its range of products and services. International manufacturers of castings and forgings, as well as highly specialised processors meet industrial buyers from the mechanical engineering and plant construction industry, the drive engineering industry, the pump and hydraulics industry, and the utility vehicles construction industry.
SurfaceTechnology GERMANY will be held concurrently with CastForge at Messe Stuttgart. Visitors will gain free access to Surface Technology GERMANY with their CastForge ticket.
