At CastForge in Stuttgart, we had the chance to talk to Gábor Zelei, CEO, Association of Hungarian Foundries, and were highly impressed by the successful performance of the Hungarian foundry industry.
Established in December 1992 with 26 members, the association of Hungarian Foundries counts today 68 members, 46 foundries, 19 foundry suppliers and 3 other associations. 2023 the Hungarian foundry industry employed about 8,650 people directly, about 8,200 indirectly, and had a turnover of about HUF 263 billion (EUR 685 million) with a production 195,924 tonnes of castings (a decrease of about 2.5% compared to the production volume in 2022).
Great strengths in the production of iron and steel
Regarding iron and steel, the strengths of the Hungarian foundry industry are flexibility for single piece, small and medium batch production with a well-trained workforce, professional produced heavy sand, and investment castings for the engineering industry – especially for machining – as well as heavy machine industries and the production of grey and ductile iron castings for the automotive industry. It also has cost advantages in wages and an export orientation of more than 65%.
Manufacturing of large series in the light metal sector
In the light metal sector, the Hungarian foundry industry offers manufacturing of large series of aluminium gravity and high pressure die castings for the automotive industry, advanced technologies and equipment, flexibility, competitiveness, a good communication and an export orientation of more than 85%.
