How to Choose the Right Foundry for Your Project

Why the Right Foundry Matters

Foundries are not all the same. The right one delivers not only castings but reliability, quality, and service. If your project involves safety-critical parts, tight tolerances, or short lead times, it’s vital to make an informed choice.

Whether you’re developing a new product or replacing an old part, choosing an experienced and capable foundry saves time, reduces cost, and ensures compliance.

1. Technical Capabilities and Equipment

Look for a foundry that can handle your required materials, volumes, and specifications. Ask questions like:

• Can they cast grey or ductile iron?
• What size and weight ranges do they support?
• Do they provide machining and finishing in-house?

At Fowler & Holden, we cast components from 0.5kg to 1000kg in grey iron and up to 800kg in SG iron. We also offer full CNC machining, inspection, and certification.

2. Industry Standards and Compliance

Ensure your foundry adheres to recognised standards such as EN and ASTM. This proves their processes are tested, traceable, and accountable.

We are an ASTM compliant foundry with ISO and PED accreditations. Our drainage products carry the BSI Kitemark and meet EN1433.

If you’re supplying parts to regulated industries like oil & gas or construction, compliance isn’t optional – it’s essential.

3. CAD and Design Support

Modern foundries should accept and work from digital files. This reduces time, improves accuracy, and streamlines communication.

We support CAD file casting, allowing engineers to send files directly. We can reverse-engineer from samples, or modify existing designs using our in-house pattern shop.

CAD compatibility is a key time-saver for OEMs and design teams.

4. Speed and Lead Times

If your project is time-sensitive, discuss lead times upfront. Look for a partner who can turn around castings in a matter of weeks, not months.

As a UK-based foundry, we offer low-lead time casting with typical delivery in 3-4 weeks depending on the job. Local supply means faster response and no international delays.

5. Project Support and Communication

Strong communication is often overlooked but always critical. Choose a foundry that provides:

• Dedicated project contacts.
• Clear timelines and updates.
• Flexibility with changes.

We assign a named project lead to every client. Whether you’re updating a CAD file or adjusting batch volumes, we make sure you’re informed.

6. Request a Casting Quote Easily

A streamlined quoting process saves everyone time. A professional foundry should allow you to upload files and receive detailed pricing promptly.

You can request a casting quote directly on our website or by emailing our technical team with your specs. We’ll get back to you quickly with a tailored solution.

7. Proven Track Record

Ask to see case studies, testimonials, or previous projects. A reliable foundry will be proud to showcase past work and industries served.

Fowler & Holden has served clients in power generation, infrastructure, marine, oil & gas, and OEM manufacturing. Our FastFlow drainage system is used in national transport projects.