About us
Finecast is a pioneering leader in the development, engineering and manufacture of high integrity, complex castings.
Established in 2002, The Finecast Foundry is based on the South coast of England and employs more than 80 people.
Our People
At the core of our success and driving continuous innovation is our dedicated team. By the very nature of our business, developing and manufacturing new cast machined products for some of the most technically challenging applications across the world, as a community of people we share a common passion for creativity, innovation and consistently challenging ourselves.
We are proud to have some of the most talented engineers worldwide within our team. Investment into continual training, education and development whilst creating an environment to implement forward-thinking solutions is essential not only to our continued business success but the advancements of our customer’s technologies.
Passion, Precision, Partnership.
“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 45 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.
Rapid prototype through to small batch manufacture
Our commitment to innovation, investments in advanced technologies and passion for shaping the future of cast product design, the Finecast service is relied upon by over 500 customers globally. We specialise in Aluminium alloys including specialist A201, A206 grades, Ferritic and Austenitic Stainless Steel and Ductile Iron grades including SiMo
Investing in people
Apprentice opportunities
We are committed to laying the foundations of our continued success through apprenticeship schemes and graduate placement recruitment.
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