Bespoke Cast Iron Customer Base
As well as bespoke iron castings mainly for the decorative, architectural and sculptural markets, our customer base also covers grey, ductile and alloyed irons for the engineering and structural sectors. Our diverse customer base has also given us experience in a wide range of applications for iron castings other than the bespoke market, including pumps and valves, forges, foundries and rolling mills, automotive and aerospace, a wide range of OEM’s, quarries and mines, railways and rolling stock and local authorities.
We also have long term trading relationships with local pattern makers, machine shops and surface finishers which enable us to quote for the complete supply of the finished casting. Any bespoke cast iron project usually starts in one of two ways. Firstly, a client can be trying to reproduce castings in the style and shape of an existing casting which is no longer available. A good example of this would be a building project to extend a period property where extra cast iron window frames or railings are required to match the originals. In most cases drawings are not available and the starting point is to draw up an original frame. From this we can advise on alterations that may be required to accommodate modern cast irons and production methods and are happy to work with architects so that the new castings comply with current building regulations or listed building status. We can also recommend other subcontractors who can provide assembly and painting services. The second type of project is where there is no existing casting to work from. The starting point is usually a photograph or some sketches provided by the client, but the end point will be the same – a casting or series of castings that are original and unique. We will also involve the client at every stage of the design process.