About Cast Iron

Who are we?

The foundry has its origins as a small family business in 1924, and is today still fully family owned. Years of experience and developed expertise, is a point of excellence of our organisation.

Local production

All castings are made locally. We produce high-quality pieces in grey or ductile iron, or develop customised alloys according to the customer's request. Our focus is on small and medium series, allowing us to maintain a fast delivery time.

Customer loyalty and solid partner

Companies that become our customers, stay our customers. We communicate correct and transparently, and give attention to delivery performance. The customer's needs, are always put first. This makes us the preferred partner of market leaders in various sectors.

Cast Iron is recognised by the market as a reliable and financially solid partner within the metal sector. Our flexible machines and installations allow us to work in a customer-oriented way, and at a reasonable cost.

What we stand for

Mission

Being a market leader in a niche market
Grey and ductile iron
In all qualities
From 1 to 2,000 pieces per year
Casting weight up to 6,000 kg
Variable cooling time
Focus on machining

Vision

A reliable producer of high-quality castings
An expert organisation with a customer-oriented service
Customers, suppliers and others recognise that Cast Iron is a professional company
A corporate culture that reflects our values

Values

We have integrity and professionalism, both internally and externally
Employees, customers and suppliers are treated fairly and correctly
Staff safety is of utmost importance
We take all reasonable steps to reduce damage to the environment

Discover our rich history

1924

Cast Iron was founded

Establishment of the "Iron & Copper" Foundry in Turnhout.

1925

Port of Antwerp

Focus on castings for steamships in the port of Antwerp.

1933

Roadworks

Expansion of business into castings for roadworks.

1945

New production line

Start-up of a production line for mechanical cast iron.

1963

Moving to Beerse

The company is now called Gieterijen Constant Maes (GCM) and is moving to a 15,000 m2 location in Beerse. There are now 2 production lines: machine forming up to 75 kg, and hand forming up to 4,000 kg.

1970

Ductile cast iron

In addition to grey cast iron, the foundry now also makes ductile (nodular) iron.

1986

Expansion of activities

Expansion into high quality mechanical casting and critical parts for touring cars and trucks.

1995

Environmental investments

The foundry is making significant investments in environmentally friendly production techniques. The amount of ductile iron grows to half of the total production.

1998

New production hall and automation

A new production hall with new automated machinery is built. The foundry can now mechanically form up to 200 kg, and hand form up to 6,000 kg.

2007

New name, and specialisation

The foundry changes its name to Cast Iron. The company makes significant investments in process improvement. From now on, Cast Iron restricts itself to grey and ductile iron, and rejects other qualities.

2012

New pattern warehouse

Cast Iron builds a new pattern warehouse.
The patterns (+/- 4,000 pieces) are now stored in a 1,400 m2 conditioned hall.

2013

New laboratory and ISO 9001

Cast Iron is building a new office building with expanded lab on its premises.
ISO 9001 certification is achieved.

2015

Bureau Veritas foundry certificate

Offshore and Marine are of growing importance to Cast Iron. That is why we achieve Bureau Veritas accreditation.

2019

Renovation of production hall and central heating

The production hall is now 20 years old, and is being completely refurbished. Central heating is converted to eco-friendly natural gas.

2021

ABS foundry certificate

Covid forces Cast Iron to focus on other areas. American Bureau of Shipping accreditation is achieved to further expand the Offshore and Marine market.