| China: Macro
and Micro, but no Mezzo -- What China needs are good medium-size
foundry operations that are adequately capitalized, market-oriented
and flexible, and prepared to compete on a global scale. It
is this "mezzo" part of the casting industry that
will allow China to make the inputs it needs as it continues
to grow, as well as to participate long-term in cross-border
trade in cast metal parts. We estimate China needs to develop
about 1,000 modern foundry operations to support the needs of
its domestic economy, and to take full advantage of global trade
opportunties, in the next several decades.(View full
report on China's casting industry.)
Finland: Virtually Unchallenged
-- By the end of the decade, non-ferrous production was
up about 25% overall, to 10,000 tons annually. "Much of that
is thanks to data technology and mobile phones (especially
Nokia), including the ground support stations and the many
components they require," says Pentti Kangasmaa. (View full
report on Finland's casting industry.)
Mexico: Development . . . Today!
-- For the U.S., Mexico is an important trade partner, but
certainly not the only one. Mexico, on the other hand, trades
mainly with the U.S., which accounts for about 90% of its
exports and 75% of its imports. While one category of casting
-- engines -- has become a major Mexican export, Mexico is
also a major importer of all kinds of other products that
use castings -- metal manufactures, agricultural machinery,
and electrical equipment. (View full
report on Mexico's casting industry.) NEW:
The Fox Effect
-- Mexican President Vicente Fox addressed
business leaders in Chicago on a recent visit, and it's clear
Mexico has a leader who knows how to inspire. (See review
of Fox visit.)
Portugal: Scrambling up the Value
Chain -- According to CastingTrade.com estimates, Portugal
experienced a strong movement toward higher value in its mix
of castings. Based on our methods, we estimate the value of
the casting mix was 12% greater in 1999 than in 1998, principally
due to increases in non-ferrous production (38% overall).
This resulted in an estimated 11% in overall value of casting
production. (View full report
on Portugal's casting industry.)
Sweden: Enjoying a Boom -- "Swedish
foundries have been living in a boom for several years," according
to Zoltan Tiroler at the Swedish Foundry Association. "This
is mainly due to the increasing production of vehicles and
the growing telecom markets. But it is also a result of big
structural changes that took place during the '80s and beginning
of the '90s. Remarkable investments have been made, in improved
work environments, automation, and other types of modernization."
(View full report on Sweden's casting
industry.)
Switzerland: Like a Swiss Watch
-- Machinery including many types of high precision machinery
-- typically accounts for more than 25% of Swiss exports,
and the country's single biggest industry is engineering.
When electrical and electronic-engineering, precision instruments,
and metals are added in, the total represents over 40% of
exports. Worldwide, Switzerland is one of the ten biggest
machinery exporting countries. The major machinery end-uses
include scales, printing machinery, textile machinery, precision
tools, compressors, vacuum pumps, food and packaging machinery,
foundry machines, turbines and machine tools. (View full
report on Switzerland's casting industry.)
New country profiles are published
at www.Castingtrade.com every few weeks!
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