GF Casting Solutions’ Tool Technology and Manufacturing Center in Suzhou (China).
GF Casting Solutions at a glance
GF Casting Solutions is one of the leading solution providers of lightweight components in the mobility and energy industry. As a future-oriented company, GF Casting Solutions acts as a driving force for innovation in the foundry and additive manufacturing world and wants to take the lead in shaping the development of sustainable mobility.
Global presence
GF Casting Solutions manufactures at 13 production sites in Germany, Austria, Romania, Switzerland, China, and the USA. The division supplies the global automotive industry, aerospace and energy markets, and provides components for off-highway vehicles as well as for industrial applications.
Key figures
|
CHF million |
|
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Order intake |
|
953 |
|
1’617 |
|
Orders on hand at year-end |
|
267 |
|
289 |
|
Sales |
|
949 |
|
1’687 |
|
Sales growth % |
|
–43.7 |
|
13.8 |
|
Organic growth % |
|
–9.7 |
|
5.2 |
|
EBITDA |
|
48 |
|
160 |
|
EBIT before one-offs |
|
22 |
|
86 |
|
One-offs |
|
46 |
|
|
|
EBIT |
|
–24 |
|
86 |
|
Return on sales before one-offs (EBIT margin before one-offs) % |
|
2.3 |
|
5.1 |
|
Return on sales (EBIT margin) % |
|
–2.5 |
|
5.1 |
|
Invested capital (IC) |
|
477 |
|
531 |
|
Return on invested capital (ROIC) % |
|
–4.4 |
|
16.1 |
|
Number of employees |
|
4’336 |
|
4’693 |
Employees
4’336
Sales per region
in CHF
Sales per segment
in CHF
Carlos Vasto, President of GF Casting Solutions, with a Turbine Rear Vane.
Driving future technologies
GF Casting Solutions is a leading manufacturer of cast and additive manufactured components. With innovative products like the Turbine Rear Vane for aero engines, which is manufactured using an additive process, the division makes revolutionary steps in the aerospace industry.
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The showcase product
It is about saving time, gaining design freedom, and reaching all quality standards: The new Turbine Rear Vane (TRV) represents the Additive Manufacturing portfolio of GF. This complex part – one of the largest additive components ever manufactured for an aircraft turbine – is printed within only 48 hours. The TRV is manufactured in a combination of GF technologies in the new “AMotion Center” in Stabio (Switzerland), led by GF Casting Solutions and GF Machining Solutions. The combination of 3D printing and the new horizontal EDM technology – provided by GF Machining Solutions – is unique in the additive manufacturing world.
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Innovation strategy
GF Casting Solutions keeps the focus on operational excellence and innovation for the mobility of the future in mind – in its strategic segments automotive, aerospace, off-highway, and energy. The division strives for making mobility more sustainable through innovative lightweight design, the use of new materials and new processes for lighter and consequently more fuel-efficient components. Key customer pains are the reduction of CO2-emissions and fuel consumption. Through GF’s lightweight design and cast solutions, customers can be continuously supported from the first concept to ready-to-mount components, systems, and modules.
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Strategy 2020 recap
Key pillars of GF Casting Solutions’ strategy are the expansion into higher margin businesses, provide global solutions, and ensure profitability in Europe. In these fields, the division has taken important steps: The promising aerospace and energy segments have been expanded successively. In line with the trend towards lighter vehicles, the division focussed on its competences in lightweight components made of aluminum and magnesium. The divestment of the sites in Singen and Mettmann (Germany) and Herzogenburg (Austria) completed the withdrawal from the automotive iron casting business in Europe.
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