Metalcasting is one of the most important sectors in the manufacturing economy. It is a $50 billion industry that directly provides more than 160,000 jobs in the U.S. alone, with many more in Canada and Mexico. Metalcasting also indirectly supports more than another 300,000 jobs across the supply chain, at equipment manufacturers, service providers, and material suppliers to the industry, and especially companies procuring castings for use in their own products. About 90 percent of durable goods include castings.
Metalcasting is an important part of the manufacturing economy in nearly every state. States with the largest number of foundries as of 2020 are as follows:
- Ohio
- California
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Texas
- Indiana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New York
- Washington
- Alabama
- Iowa
- Oregon
- Tennessee
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The new AFS Economic Impact Analysis is available here! The landing page highlights the overall value of metalcasting. At the bottom of the landing page you will see a map. Links from the map will take you to data from the U.S., your state, and your Congressional District. For more information about communicating with your elected officials, please contact Stephanie Salmon in the AFS DC office at ssalmondc@gmail.com or 571-242-0186. |
Countless industries depend on castings, including defense contracting, automotive, trucking, aerospace, oil and gas, farm equipment, infrastructure, construction, and many others.
Each year, AFS publishes Metalcasting Forecast & Trends with detailed statistics about the North American and global metalcasting markets. This report is free as a member benefit to Corporate Members. Corporate Members, or those wishing to discuss Corporate Membership, may contact Ben Yates at byates@afsinc.org or 847-824-0181. Alternatively, AFS individual members may purchase the report for $750 and non-members may purchase the report for $1,000.
Also, AFS Corporate Members receive a complimentary copy of the annual statistical report from the World Foundry Organization. This provides a valuable comparison of the industry across the more than 30 nations that are members of the WFO.
The United States ranks third globally in castings production, trailing only China and India. The United States ranks second in productivity, as measured by tonnage per plant, trailing only Germany.
Detailed Industry Statistics
Census of Global Casting Production - To view casting shipment tonnages by nation, visit the Modern Casting archives. The Census of Global Casting Production is published annually in the December issue.
2023 Metalcasting Forecast - AFS offers the most complete forecast for metalcasting production. It is free to corporate members, and available for purchase at the corresponding link for others.