“I’m pretty sure the industry is very introverted,” said Eric Müller. The participants agreed: die casting rarely tells its own story—neither to political stakeholders, nor to engineering students, and certainly not to the general public. While sheet metal, extrusion, or battery technology dominate headlines and lobbying efforts, casting often remains unseen. Staffan Zetterström puts it bluntly: “Casting is silent. That’s how we are positioned in the corridors of power.”
And yet, the relevance is undeniable. “There will be no transition without die casting in the transport sector. No way,” Müller stressed. Whether it's EVs, 5G telecom, or lightweight design, aluminium die casting plays a key role. But this story isn’t being told clearly or widely enough.
From “black hole” to high-tech employer
Müller recalls outdated perceptions of the industry: “Everybody thought it’s a black hole, it’s dirty and you’re sweating 24/7.” While foundries have modernised, these clichés persist—and affect recruitment. “We need to attach earlier,” Müller said, pointing to students aged 16 to 20 as a key target group. “Because if you start to study the IT direction… it’s not easy to move them to another industry.”
It’s a sentiment Fabian Niklas echoed: “For me, ending up in the foundry was quite a bit of an accident… but then I was hooked.” His takeaway? “We have to get that initial hook in.” A well-timed call, a compelling video, a glimpse behind the curtain—these are the small moments that open doors to a big, often overlooked sector.
Marketing needs momentum
The die casting industry is not only struggling with image—it’s also losing people. “The average age in a German foundry is 47,” said Zetterström. “Every fifth guy is retiring before 2030.” At the same time, die casting is gaining strategic importance through applications in structural components and e-mobility platforms.
So where’s the disconnect? “The problem is, this is going to increase,” said Müller, referring to demand. “On the other hand, you’re missing the people who understand how to design the parts.” The challenge, he explains, isn’t just awareness—it’s knowledge transfer.
Social media could help bridge the gap. “We need to go ahead and keep talking about this industry,” Müller says, even if he jokes: “I’m the worst example because I don’t use TikTok, I don’t use Instagram…” Yet he insists: “This is the future to get into contact with young people.”
Niklas offers a concrete idea: “Make it interesting in a way that it’s a first-person perspective—from an apprentice, from an engineer. How I design it, how I impact it, and then what comes out of it.”
From foundry floor to Brussels
Beyond recruiting talent, the industry must also speak with one voice at the policy level. Zetterström highlights the need for lobbying on education funding and carbon regulations: “There’s a trade war out there… We must have a very effective lobbying work.” His vision? A lean, agile team working full-time to defend casting’s interests in European policymaking.
Müller agrees that the industry has work to do: “We need to define the strategy as well. There is probably a strategy, but I can’t feel the strategy so far.” He urges the sector to come together—toolmakers, machine builders, foundries and alloy producers—to create shared platforms and campaigns. “We need to go the extra mile… even if we’re not getting paid for it.”
The value of pride
One recurring theme stands out: identity. “Foundry people are usually very proud about what they are doing,” says Müller. “We need to share why.” Die casting may not be glamorous—but it’s essential. And the community behind it? Deeply committed.
