What these figures do not show
is the divergence in the ferrous metal sector, which was
particularly hit by drop in domestic demand - neither does
it show the stable growth in the non-ferrous sector, that
increased practically throughout the entire 12 months (
with slight variations depending on the type of alloy).
Production capacity occupation was 81% in year 2001 compared
with 83% in year 2000. Value of production has decreased
as well reaching 5.29 billion € compared with 2.30
billion € in year 2000
Surplus in foreign trade balance
In year 2001, export markets
limited the general decrease in production. In year 2001,
total exports of 916 902 tons, a level similar to year 2000,
compensated somewhat for the weak domestic demand (-7%).
Exports remain relatively strong, reaching 28.9 % of production
in year 2001, compared with 28.4% in year 2000. In fact,
according to French custom figures, the foreign trade surplus
increased by 3.2 %, reaching 0.60 billion € in year
2001 compared with 0.58 billion € in year 2000
The main reason for this result
is that imports have increases equally as much as exports.
It is interesting to point out that during the last 10 years
imports have increased at the same tempo as exports. The
explanation being increased competition from Asia during
the last years.
Most of foreign trade still
remains within the EU, representing 66% of exports and 73%
of imports, this proportion is likely to decrease with time
in favour of Asian and non EU countries. This is a result
of intensification of exchange with above mentioned zones
and the existence of quality production at a lower cost.
Subcontracted manufacturing
|
| |
Nodular
cast irons
|
Lamellar
cast irons
|
Cast
steel
|
Copper
alloys
|
Light
weight alloys
|
Die
castings
|
| Car, cycle,
motorbike |
77.4
|
51.6
|
10.8
|
18.1
|
93.0
|
73.9
|
| Agricultural
machinery and tractors |
3.1
|
4.3
|
1.3
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.0
|
| Railways |
0.7
|
1.4
|
8.1
|
3.3
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
| Shipbuilding
and aerospace construction |
0.2
|
0.6
|
1.2
|
4.6
|
0.3
|
0.0
|
| Electrical
and electromechanical construction |
1.9
|
0.6
|
0.5
|
3.8
|
2.2
|
6.4
|
| Household
appliances |
0.1
|
3.5
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.4
|
2
|
| Machine
tools |
0.9
|
2.0
|
0.3
|
2.0
|
0.4
|
1.5
|
| Handling-lifting,
mines and boreholes, earthworks, etc. |
3.7
|
27.2
|
42.9
|
3.9
|
0.3
|
0.0
|
| Miscellaneous
metalwork - hardware |
0.0
|
0.2
|
0.0
|
2.7
|
0.1
|
4.4
|
| Valve fittings,
connectors, pumps, meters |
3.3
|
2.6
|
10.5
|
37.3
|
0.2
|
0.9
|
| Other mechanical
construction |
2.0
|
3.6
|
11.1
|
4.6
|
0.9
|
1.7
|
| Miscellaneous |
6.7
|
2.4
|
13.1
|
19.2
|
1.8
|
9.2
|
Future perspectives
Looking at all different
activities of the foundry sector, it seems that the recession
since 2001 has come to an end and for most of the sector
the trend is more positive.
Short term perspectives are
rather positive as confidence is getting stronger, even
though this confidence varies somewhat. There is a notion
that the market is evolving differently from one foundry
sector to another.
In the non ferrous sector, productions
seems soaring again. The light alloy foundries (aluminium
and magnesium) in particular seem to benefit from a strong
demand from the automotive industry. Also, the sector continues
to benefit from excellent export ratio.
For the ferrous sector, the
situation seems more tense. Even though production is progressing
again, the main economic indicators show a slight decrease
from the year before. There is still substantial technical
capacity unexploited on different production sites. The
sector will continue to be challenged by tough international
competition.
Automotive industry suppliers
should maintain stable activity growth. Order books are
showing strong demand and positive short term perspectives.
Manufacturing
of catalog products
|
.
|
.
|
- cooking and heating equipment
/
|
3
608 t
|
.
|
| - building foods |
71
214 t
|
.
|
| - pipes and manhole covers
|
715
796 t
|
.
|
incl.G.S
cast iron
|
.
|
661
994 t
|
Subcontracted manufacturing
|
.
|
.
|
| - cast iron from models
|
1
221 566 t
|
.
|
incl.G.S
cast iron
|
.
|
332
814 t
|
| - cast steel |
129
328 t
|
.
|
| - malleable cast irons |
5
860 t
|
.
|
| - copper alloys |
24
779 t
|
.
|
incl. copper alloys pressure die casting
|
.
|
4
087 t
|
| - lightweight alloys |
315
494 t
|
.
|
incl. light alloys pressure die casting
|
.
|
150
811 t
|
| - zinc alloys and miscellaneous |
39
501 t
|
.
|
incl. zinc & misc. pressure die casting
|
.
|
36
049 t
|
TOTAL
|
2
527 146 t
|
.
|
including pressure die casting
|
.
|
190
947 t
|
including.
G.S cast iron
|
.
|
994
808 t
|
