32nd census of world casting production - 1997.

Nearly 80% of this year's respondents, including 9 of the top 10 metalcasting-producing nations, reported a growth in shipments last year.

According to modern casting's 32nd Census of World Casting Production, it appears that metalcasting-producing nations rebounded strong in 1997 after a soft landing in 1996. Of the 27 nations who responded to this exclusive survey, 21 reported growth over 1996 totals.

As shown in the tables, the survey includes 38 nations. Top 10 metalcasting-producing nations Brazil and Taiwan failed to report, as did Argentina, Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, The Netherlands, Norway and South Africa. Each remains listed, however, by 1996 shipment information. Estimates for the nations of the former Soviet Union are no longer included in the survey, and Peru was dropped because it had not submitted data since 1994.

Following is how the 10 largest metalcasting-producing nations fared in 1997:

1. U.S. - Although 1997 growth was minimal (less than 1%), 1997 represented the third growth year in the last five. More than 14.3 million tons were shipped last year - 22% more than five years ago.

2. China - Shipping nearly 11.1 million tons in 1997, China saw a 1.6% increase over 1996.

3. Japan - Japan's shipments increased 1.8% in 1997 to 7 million tons. Japan has reported stable or minor growth in each of the last four years.

4. Germany - After a 5% loss in 1996, Germany rebounded with a 4.8% increase in shipments last year to 4.1 million tons, a 19% increase over five years ago.

5. India - India's shipments grew 5.1% last year to 3.3 million tons. Following 1994, when the nation nearly doubled its shipments in one year, India has recorded three consecutive years of 5% or greater growth.

6. France - France's shipments grew 6.3% last year to 2.4 million tons, a 20% increase over five years ago.

7. Italy - With shipments of 2.2 million tons in 1997, Italy nearly reversed its 6% drop of 1996.

8. Korea - After recording four consecutive growth years with rates of 3-5%, Korea's shipments dropped 5.2% in 1997 to 1.5 million tons. Korea was the only top-10 nation in the survey to report a loss last year.

9. United Kingdom - Although shipments stayed nearly the same in 1997 (grew by less than 1%) at 1.4 million tons, the U.K. became the only top-10 nation to record shipment growth in five consecutive years.

10. Mexico - Shipments of 1.2 million tons in 1997 represented a 63% increase over the nation's last reported shipment levels of 1995. Further, shipments have grown 89% over the last five years.

In addition to Korea, the other five nations reporting losses were Slovakia (-13.5%), Romania (-9%), Belgium (-5.4%), Poland (-3.1%) and the Ukraine (-2%). Significant gains in the more modest metalcasting-producing nations included Canada (24.4%), Denmark (14.3%), Belarus (11.3%), Hungary (9.7%) and Turkey (8.3%).

In most cases, shipment data was submitted by each nation's metalcasting trade association. Comments about participation in the annual census should be directed to: Census of World Casting Production, modern casting, 505 State Street, Des Plaines, Illinois USA 600168399 or e-mail: [e-mail].

Number of Operating Foundries By Nation
(from countries participating in 32nd Census of World Casting
Production)

COUNTRY              IRON       STEEL       NONFERROUS       TOTAL

Argentina(*)        160          10            190           360
Austria              21           8             33            62
Belarus              44          22             61           127
Belgium              70          11             55           136
Brazil(*)           517          74            406           997
Canada               85          27             98           210
China(*)           5997        2708           2292         10997
Croatia              30           4             41            75
Denmark              11           1              9            21
Egypt(*)             62           6              8            76(3)
Finland              15           5             15            35
France              173(1)                     304           477
Germany             280          60            370           710
Hungary              31(1)                      39            70
India              6000(2)                                  6000
Iran(*)(4)           90          18             37           145
Italy               267          31            100(***)      398
Japan               613         107            637(**)      1357
Korea               412         104            224           740
Mexico              102          27             98           227
Norway(*)            17           3             19            39
Poland              204(1)                     308           512
Portugal(5)          51          11             63           125
Romania             177          44            134           355
Slovakia             19           6              9            34
Slovenia             13           3             16            32
Spain               185          38             85           308
Sweden               37          13             85           135
Switzerland          23          46             69
Turkey             1270          62            107          1439
Ukraine             900(2)                                   900
United Kingdom      306          80            400           786
U.S.                700         400           1850          2950

TOTAL             18882        3883           8139         30904

* 1996 data
** 1995 data
*** 1994 data

(1) includes steel foundries

(2) all foundries

(3) includes public foundries: 5 iron, 4 steel and 3 nonferrous

(4) includes diecasters

(5) based on association membership - 90% of total

[TABULAR DATA OMITTED]