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Country-by-country highlights:
(1)
US & Canada
Together with Mexico, the third partner in the North American
Free Trade Area (NAFTA), the U.S. and Canada represent the
world's largest single market for die castings. In 2000, together
the U.S. and Canada shipped about 1.85 million metric tons
of pressure die castings.
(2)
Mexico
Until recently, Mexico has been something of a backwater
in the die casting world, despite a large population (approaching
100 million) and a growing consumer economy. Today, however,
it may be that a "critical mass" has been reached.
(3)
Brazil
What the United States is to North America, Brazil is to
South America -- the economic engine upon which regional health
depends. The country's die casting industry is fairly large,
with at least 60 plants.
(4)
France
Nonferrous casting, and nonferrous metallurgy in general,
are of great historic interest in France, and today there
are about 100 die casting plants in the country.
(5)
Germany
With nearly 400,000 annual tons per year of production, Germany
is an important die casting country. There are about 190 plants
in Germany, including some of the most technologically advanced
die casting companies in the world.
(6)
Italy
Italy is the largest producer of pressure die castings in
the European Union (EU).
(7)
Spain
Over the past 25 years, Spain has developed a relatively
large auto industry, including Ford, Volkswagen/SEAT and others.
Spain's diecasters are located predominantly in the Basque
region in the north of the country.
(8)
United
Kingdom
The main trend in the consolidating UK die casting market
in recent years has been new plant investment by Japanese
and other foreign auto makers.
(9)
Poland
Following some hard years after the end of the Cold War,
Poland has emerged as the economic leader of Eastern Europe.
(10)
Russia
Data on the current state of the diecasting industry in Russia
is difficult to come by. However, it has been reported that
equipment from shut down plants there have been sold and removed
to Western countries.
(11)
Australia
A big country with a small population, Australia nevertheless
consumes a respectable volume of die castings.
(12)
China
China's die casting industry has undergone significant expansion.
Growth of die casting in Guangdong Province, adjacent to Hong
Kong, has been particularly significant.
(13)
India
There are about 200 die casting companies in India, operating
approximately 1,000 machines. Of the total companies, only
about 5% have 15 machines or more.
(14)
Japan
Although the decade-long economic slump continues, Japan
remains an economic powerhouse, and this is reflected in die
casting production. In 2000, an estimated 771,000 tons of
die castings were shipped. The large auto industry consumes
about two thirds of the total.
(15)
Korea
There are about 75 die casting plants in Korea, of which
only a few operate more than 10 machines. The city of Inchon
is a focal point of the industry.
(16)
Taiwan
Die castings have been produced in Taiwan for about 50 years,
and currently the automotive, motorcycle and electronics companies
are most important. In the auto and motorcycle industries,
however, there is a trend for die casting companies to move
production to other countries, to be closer to growth markets
for motor vehicles.
About
Mike Gallagher
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