Doncasters invests in Alabama facility

Doncasters, a manufacturer of high-precision alloy components and superalloys for the aerospace, energy, and automotive sector, is making a multi-million-dollar investment at its Southern Tool facility in Oxford, Alabama.

The 160,000ft² precision casting facility is to benefit from an approximately $3.5million capital investment to expand its manufacturing capacity with the introduction a new 300 lb equiax vacuum casting furnace.

Once operational, the new furnace will realize a significant immediate increase in capacity, enabling Southern Tool to serve the increasing demands of its key customers in the aerospace industry. It will also bring new casting technology capability to the site, enabling new market opportunities and increased revenue streams.

As well as the increased capacity brought by the new furnace, the operational efficiencies of newer, more advanced furnace and ancillary equipment technology will reduce carbon footprint and waste while increasing operational efficiency at the site.

Jason Mays, managing director of Doncasters in the USA said, “Not only is this $3.5 million investment going to significantly improve our capacity at Southern Tool, it is also a massive vote of confidence in the facility’s position in the marketplace, our future prospects, and the abilities of our highly skilled workforce.

“The new capacity will allow us to maximize every opportunity, using the very latest in technology to offer more products and services to our global customers and confidently satisfy their ever-growing requirements. Furthermore, it helps us maintain our position as a leading manufacturer of vacuum and air melt castings in the sector.”

The investment at Southern Tool is one of the first projects to be announced following the announcement in January of a group-wide $137 million+ investment plan as the Doncasters Group pursues long-term growth opportunities across its 11 manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., U.K., and Germany.