Rapid technological change within any growing industry, however, is accompanied by the demand for skilled personnel. The metalcasting industry is no exception in its pursuit of engineers, chemists, technicians, and craftsmen. The technical revolution occurring in metalcasting not only leaves room for those with degrees in electrical, environmental, ceramic, chemical, mechanical, industrial, and metallurgical engineering but also for technicians to back up the engineers. Hourly workers, skilled craftsmen, technicians, engineers, and research and development personnel all play an essential role in metalcasting production and operations. The industry provides thousands of tons of different castings to more than 50,000 customers, reaching every home, farm, and business in our economy.
Foundries range in size from two or three employees to several hundred.
Some foundries are captive operations, owned by a larger manufacturer and producing castings only for the company's other divisions. Unlike the captive foundries, custom or jobbing foundries manufacture a wide range of castings for other companies and customers. In the future, both ferrous and nonferrous casting producers must continue to meet the technological challenges posed by today's competitive markets. They do so in the face of a critical shortage of engineers and technicians who can develop castings that are of improved desigh or designed for improved performance. Skilled patternmakers who can work in either wood, plastics, or metal along with capable maintenance people who an maintain all the sophisticated new equipment of this electronic age will be in great demand.