William Cook Holdings is named as the ‘Best of British Casting’ by the Cast Metals Federation

One of the UK’s leading suppliers of safety-critical steel components has capped a year of growth, acquisition and investment, by being named as the ‘Best of British Casting’ at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards.

Sheffield-headquartered William Cook Holdings beat off a strong challenge from other finalists to secure the ‘Company of the Year’ title, impressing judges with landmark rail contract wins, support for the war effort in Ukraine and a £5 million investment programme that has reinforced its position in the nuclear power supply chain.

William Cook also stepped in to protect vital foundry skills when it saved 75 jobs by acquiring HI Quality Steel Castings of Chesterfield out of administration. Organised by the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), there were also major accolades for Tamworth-based Foseco (Innovation) and Sylatech LtdComponent of the Year Award for the work the Kirkbymoorside-based company did in producing a prosthetic aluminium thumb (pictured left). It was designed to be used by children who have lost a thumb due to injury, congenital conditions or due to other medical reasons. Designed by prosthetic hand designer Ted Varley, the product required a high level of detail and an as-cast surface finish with no machining.

With wall thicknesses down to 2mm for some cast elements and 1mm diameter cast-in holes, Sylatech used 3-D wax printing to optimise the design flexibility. Samples were provided to the client within three weeks of the order being placed, with significant cost savings also achieved.

Dr Pam Murrell, chief executive of the Cast Metals Federation, said: “The innovation and resilience of the foundry industry never ceases to amaze me, and this year’s award winners typify exactly what makes the UK great. We had businesses investing, we had companies diversifying, and we had firms using new technologies to help designers bring products to market that will positively change lives for hundreds of children.”

The UK Cast Metals Industry Awards, which took place in front of nearly 200 guests, focused on the great castings being manufactured in metal by UK foundries, and their huge achievements in innovation, growth, and component performance. Co-presented by Dr Pam Murrell and comedian Geoff Norcott, the evening clearly showcased the successes of the sector and its evolving impact on UK manufacturing. This was typified by the Innovation winner, with Foseco recognised for the way it has developed a novel automated metal treatment and cleaning process for steel melts.

‘ROTOCLENE’ introduces inert gases through a pumping rotor, with the bubbles and stirring motion ensuring that cleaning is optimised and melt homogeneity improved, leading to lower levels of rework and scrap. When combined with HOLLOTEX shrouding, lower pouring temperatures and cleaner castings, with improved finer grain sizes, are possible.

Dr Murrall concluded: “The commitment to problem solving and providing solutions to customers remains within our industry, making all the components upon which a modern economy depends. Our sector can be part of the solution to growth for the UK and remember — metal recycles forever.”