International keynote speakers 

Andy Pickering, Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery 

Andy Pickering is a highly respected foundry professional with more than 40 years’ experience across technical, commercial and leadership roles in the global foundry industry. Currently serving as Sales Director at Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd, Andy leads commercial activities across the Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent and Southeast Asia.

Andy began his career in the UK as a foundry technologist, working across iron, steel and aluminium foundries including Charlestown Engineering, Cronite Castings and Cosworth Castings. In 1987, he joined Hepworth Minerals and Chemicals as a Technical Service Representative, providing nationwide support across silica sands, binder systems, refractory coatings and moulding ancillaries.

In 1990, Andy joined Borden Chemical, where he spent 23 years in senior technical and commercial roles, supporting key customers across Europe, the Middle East and India. His expertise includes chemical bonded sand systems, alkaline phenolic binder development, mould handling and sand reclamation practices.

Keynote: 40 years in the Foundry industry - what lies ahead? 

Join Andy Pickering for this keynote presentation as he reflects on more than 40 years of experience in the foundry industry, exploring how the sector has evolved, the challenges that lie ahead, and the implications for the Australian foundry industry. As global casting demand continues to grow, Andy examines the factors driving this expansion and considers its impact on future casting capacity worldwide.

To meet this growing demand, three critical areas are explored: people, power, and process.

People – The industry faces an acute shortage of skilled and specialised workers. Andy discusses how the sector can attract new talent, retain experienced personnel, and develop the next generation of industry leaders.

Power – Rising energy costs are having a profound impact on the casting industry. Energy has become a major driver of operational expenses, forcing structural changes in production methods and accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

Process – The need for innovation is driving change across all areas of the industry. Key developments include advanced organic chemical binders and the transition to inorganic binders, reducing costs and improving environmental performance. Other innovations include the increasing use of artificial sand as a high-performance alternative to natural silica sand, advanced recycling technologies for spent foundry sand, and the integration of automation, advanced machinery, and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, safety, and quality.

The global foundry industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological innovation and the continued evolution of metal casting processes. While geopolitical tensions and regional shifts in production present ongoing challenges, the industry remains on a steady growth trajectory. This keynote provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of foundries in Australia and around the world.

Andrew Turner, World Foundry Organization 

Andrew has a Metallurgy Degree from the University of Birmingham and a Post Graduate qualification in Production Management at the University of Cambridge.

Andrew joined Parkfield Group in 1982 in the melting department, becoming Technical Sales Director at the foundry in Stockton and, then in 1996 following great success with the securing of Channel Tunnel segment contracts worth over £40 Million, he was given the challenge of running the new Parkfield acquisition, Horwich Castings.

Following the collapse of the Parkfield empire in 1990, Andrew lead a management buy-out of the foundry from the administrators and stayed there until 1996 when he left to join Precision Disc Castings in Poole as Managing Director and oversaw the installation of the new DISA moulding line as part of a major expansion programme.

In 1999 Andrew Joined the then Institute of British Foundrymen as Secretary, having been a Member for many years, and worked to commercialise the organisation and stabilise the financial situation.

In 2003 he left to set up his own business, Apostles Castings Technology, a business which carries out technical and commercial consultancy around the world.

Andrew is now the Executive Secretary of the World Foundry Organization, having been the General Secretary for 20 years he is also the Clerk of the Foundry Training Trust, a charity that supports professional development for those in the casting and foundry industry.

Andrew has recently set up a new company specializing in the recycling of plastic waste which has huge synergistic benefits for the foundry sector as a user of waste sand and extraction dust.

Keynote: Situation and Challenges 

This keynote presentation provides an overview of global casting production trends, with a particular focus on the world's five largest producers and their influence on the international foundry industry.

Drawing on current production data and industry developments, this presentation examines the factors shaping global casting demand, manufacturing competitiveness, and future industry growth, while also considering the key challenges facing the industry against an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

As the foundry sector continues to adapt to these changing conditions, this presentation offers valuable insights into the opportunities and risks ahead, providing attendees with a broader understanding of the trends and forces that will shape the future of the global casting industry.