About Us
Founded in 2002, Finecast is a world-leading manufacturer of complex, high-integrity components for the automotive, motorsport, aerospace, defence, and energy sectors. Operating from our advanced aerospace-certified manufacturing facility in West Sussex, United Kingdom, we proudly serve clients worldwide.
With EN9100-certified processes and a commitment to excellence, we provide a complete full-service solution for high-precision, machine-finished, and assembled cast components. Our purpose-built facility integrates specialised technical and manufacturing centres, ensuring seamless production from concept to completion:
- Design and Engineering Technical Centre
- Pattern Tooling Centre
- Additive Manufacturing Centre
- Prototype & Production Foundry
- Metallurgical Testing Laboratory
- Heat Treatment Centre
- NDT Centre (X-Ray, Radiograph, CT, Ultrasonic, Dye Pen)
- CNC Machining Centre
- Metrological Validation Laboratory
- Assembly & Fitting Centre
- Design and Engineering Technical Centre
- Pattern Tooling Centre
- Additive Manufacturing Centre
- Prototype & Production Foundry
- Metallurgical Testing Laboratory
- Heat Treatment Centre
- Non-Destructive Testing Centre
- CNC Machining Centre
- Metrological Validation Laboratory
- Assembly & Fitting Centre
We manufacture components ranging from 100mm³ to 2.5m³ and up to 5000kg. Our expertise spans a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including:
- Aerospace and commercial aluminium alloys
- Austenitic stainless steels for heat, wear, and corrosion resistance
- Nodular SG iron
- Flake and austenitic graphite irons
- Non-ferrous copper-based alloys
- Aerospace and commercial aluminium alloys
- Austenitic stainless steels for heat, wear, and corrosion resistance
- Nodular SG iron
- Flake and austenitic graphite irons
- Non-ferrous copper-based alloys
We are dedicated to supporting our customers at every stage of the manufacturing journey. Our ‘make-like-production’ approach to rapid prototyping ensures that early-stage development replicates full-scale production conditions, enabling a seamless transition from initial prototypes and pre-production builds to scheduled production volumes.
At Finecast, our commitment to continual investment in advanced manufacturing technologies, processes, and talent ensures we remain at the forefront of precision casting. This dedication, combined with the utilisation of cutting-edge technology and decades of experience and expertise, enables us to deliver innovative engineering solutions for the most complex, high-performance, and safety-critical applications.
Message from our CEO
“My vision, our drive and ambition to offer you our customer the highest quality of product and service.
I am proud to be a foundryman serving the industry for 50 continuous years from apprentice foundry mouldmaker, to business owner now controlling a world leading engineering family business.
Our success is based upon the high expectations of my team. We have a bond, a common interest, the ability, passion, determination and pride to offer the very best service to all of our customers.
We engage with our customers, take on board their unique requirements and by taking this approach we have progressively invested into new science, plant, people and training.“
Chris Heatley, CEO and Founder
Chris Heatley founded Finecast in 2002.
Why Choose Finecast
Driven by innovation, backed by investments in advanced technologies, and committed to excellence, Finecast is a trusted Tier 1 manufacturing partner to leading aerospace, defence, automotive, motorsport, and energy companies worldwide. As an aerospace EN9100-certified leader in precision sand casting, we deliver high-integrity, machined-finished components that meet the most demanding industry standards. Discover how our advanced manufacturing services, cutting-edge processes, and world-class technologies can support your next project.
Our History
2002
Finecast Foundry site opens
Finecast founded by Chris Heatley an apprentice trained foundry engineer qualified to HND level with 30 years technical foundry management experience. From day one our aim was to offer world class cast components and innovation. Finecast remains family owned by Chris Heatley.
2005
Move to purpose-built foundry
The Company relocates to a purpose-built foundry site in Littlehampton, Sussex which is still our home today. Starting with a team of nine working from 800m2 our operation has expanded to 5560m2 with an 84 strong team onsite to support development and manufacture.
2010
First Motorsport cast cylinder head & engine block
We produce our first Motorsport LMP1 V6 cast cylinder head and engine block. This would be the first of many engine projects but will always remain a significant step in our journey.
2012
50% expansion
Expansion of our foundry site footprint by 50%. Opening our new bay to house heat-treatment, finishing, inspection department and office space.
2013
World’s first sand cast BiW component with 2.5mm wall
Partnership with Jaguar LandRover to support development and production of the world’s first sand cast BiW component with consistent wall thickness of 2.5mm
2013
Opening of CNC Machining Facility
Investment of £3.5m is made into new 500m2 CNC machining facility onsite. Recognising customer requirement for fully finished cast components and to manage all processes under one roof with 5 axis simultaneous milling, turning and metrology capabilities.
2014
Purchase of Littlehampton site
Chris Heatley purchases complete site and additional surrounding land to secure the long term future of business from one location and begins a program of capital investment.
2015
Creation of apprenticeship scheme
Creation of our apprenticeship scheme with Dudley Colleague, BITECH and Institute Cast Metals of Cast Metals Engineers. To date, we are proud to have developed and trained local young men and women from our community to become the future leading foundry and machining engineers in our business and industry.
2019
Manufacturer of the Year Award
Finecast was awarded Cast Metals Federation Casting of the Year and Made in the South East Manufacturer of the Year in 2019.
2020
Sand Printer and CT Scanner
A new sand Printer and CT Scanner became fully operational at the Finecast site in Wick, West Sussex in 2020. Read more
2022
Purpose-built Foundry Bay & Thermal Sand Reclamation Plant
Purpose-built foundry bay and thermal sand reclamation became fully operational, required to meet customer demand, expand our capacity for future growth and reclaim up to 95% of the sand we use in our foundry. Read more
2023
3D Sand Printing Centre
Our state-of-the-art 3D sand printing centre fitted with the latest technologically advanced 3D sand printers from Voxeljet became fully operational. Read more
2024
EN9100 Aerospace Certification
Finecast became certified for the manufacture of high-integrity ferrous and non-ferrous machined castings. As an EN9100:2018-certified company, we are approved to develop, engineer, and manufacture complex castings to customer design and specification across various industries. This scope encompasses tooling design, casting, and verification services, including heat treatment, finishing, radiography, non-destructive testing (NDT), machining, and sub-assembly.