Foundries in Coimbatore register 20% growth amid rising demand

The foundry industry in Coimbatore saw 20 % growth in the last one year with robust orders, said Jayakumar Ramdass, chairman – Inter Foundry and Inter Diecast event and Managing Director of Mahendra Pumps, Foundry Division.

The foundry industry in Coimbatore is doing well, as orders have picked up across sectors, from auto and farm equipment to general engineering. Of the 15 million tonnes of annual casting production in the country, 1.5 million tonnes is manufactured in Coimbatore and it is worth almost ₹ 25,000 crore. Castings worth ₹10,000 crore is exported from here every year. “We need to increase Coimbatore’s share in the global market,” he told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Almost 65 % of castings sold out of Coimbatore are machined and hence value addition is also on the rise. Most of the foundries are operating at more than 90 % capacity and at present, demand is higher than supply. However, one of the main challenges for the industry is availability of skilled manpower. Hence, foundries are investing in automation, new technologies, and digital tools to increase productivity and meet the global standards, Mr. Ramdass said.

The third edition of the exhibition for ferrous and non-ferrous foundry industry – Inter Foundry and Inter DieCast – with 315 exhibitors this year will showcase latest technologies, use of AI, and new equipment.

Organised by the Foundries Development Foundation (FDF) and VA Exhibitions at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex from September 10 to 12, the event will have 23 exhibitors from China, five from Germany, and four from Italy apart from participants from across the country. It is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors.

The three-day expo will have a new concurrent event called “Cast Zone” where 25 FDF members will display castings they make. This segment is open only for registered buyers and it has, so far, 60 overseas buyers confirming their visit, Mr. Ramdass added.

Conferences will be organised on strengthening the Indian foundry sector as a global supply base for ferrous and non-ferrous castings and transition in foundry businesses: succession, scaling up and compliance. There will be a panel discussion on magnesium die casting, said a press release from the organisers.