Goldcasting Podcast

Too much idle capacity, not enough profitable work? This episode is your field guide. Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas welcome Dr. Per Jansson of Comptech (one of our sponsors) to map the fastest paths from Rheocasting theory to booked orders, as well as the small process tweaks that make buyers say “yes” to trials. Key Insights * From buzzword to backlog: How a few smart Rheocasting moves ca...

This episode takes you far east into China. Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas sit down with Tracy Feng, a long-time insider of the Chinese die-casting industry. From Shanghai, she brings a unique perspective on how the world’s largest automotive and die-casting market is evolving and what makes it so different from Europe. Key Insights * Gigacasting in China : while Europe still debates, Chine...

We all heard the news about the current situation of the European automotive market. Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas unpack the latest data and trends shaping the European automotive landscape based on the published quarterly reports of the OEMs. With sales results in, shifting consumer behaviour, and new players rising, the picture is far from simple. Key Takeaways: * Sales Numbers under th...

In this nearly detective-style episode, Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström break from opinion and prediction to bring you something else entirely:data. Open source, fact-based insights that paint a sobering picture of where the die-casting market is headed and what every foundry leader needs to understand. Key Takeaways: * The Global Car Market Is Shifting From 2014 to today, the production lan...

In this milestone 50th episode of Goldcasting, your hosts, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas, welcome Andreas Würzer from Handtmann, one of the few companies in Europe pushing megacasting forward with full force. While the rest of the world watches China sprint through the gigacasting evolution, Handtmann has already hit the ground running, without even waiting for a customer nomination. Key T...

In Gold Nugget 49, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas take a hard look at the economic storm shaking the global die-casting sector. From bankruptcies in Germany to collapsing volumes in Europe and the brutal rise of EVs, no region or supplier is untouched. Why are even the “big” foundries going under? What’s behind the silence from OEMs who once sent in rescue teams? And most importantly, what...

In Gold Nugget 48, we welcome Chris Sleath and Scott Meyer from Spartan Light Metals Inc., who sponsored this episode. Spartan is a U.S.-based die caster that’s making serious waves with its investment in Rheocasting technology. Spartan was the first company in the USA to implement the Comptech slurry maker, and over the past two years, they’ve shifted from being a traditional powertrain supplier...

In episode 47 of the Goldcasting Podcast, Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström travel east, all the way to the world’s largest foundry economy: China. Joining them are two voices from the Chinese casting industry: Ms. Lindsay Bao from FICMES and Dr. Jerry Sun, CEO of CASFU. Together, they dive into the booming Chinese EV market, the magnesium revolution, and the rapid rise of gigacasting in Asia....

In Gold Nugget 46, which MAGMASOFT sponsored, your hosts, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas, are joined by Dr. Horst Bramann from Magma to dive into how advanced casting simulation is revolutionising risk mitigation, sustainability, and digital transformation in the foundry industry. Key Takeaways: * DOE-Driven Simulation: Horst walks through Magma’s Design of Experiments approach, showing how...

In Gold Nugget 45, which Euroguss sponsored, your hosts Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas are joined by Christoph Boss, the mastermind behind Euroguss’s transformation into a year-round platform for innovation and industry dialogue. The episode focuses on the Euroguss Executive Circle, a top-level forum for strategic collaboration among European die-casting leaders. Key Takeaways: * Christoph...

In this thought-provoking episode, Staffan and Fabian dig into a critical question that’s quietly gaining traction in the foundry world: Are we witnessing the rise and potential burst of a Gigacasting bubble? With massive investments pouring into ever-larger die-casting machines and new OEMs popping up by the dozen, the landscape looks both exciting and risky. Is the industry scaling too fast, too...

In Gold Nugget No. 43 of the Goldcasting Podcast, we explore the changing dynamics between OEMs and their supply networks based on the discussions at the Euroguss Executive Circle, which also sponsored this episode. Hosted by Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström, this conversation features special guest Katrin Grebe, Managing Director at Krämer & Grebe, a German toolmaking company. Together, they...

The missing volumes are the largest problem for most foundries worldwide. In this episode of Goldcasting Podcast, your hosts Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas dive into the exciting world of new business opportunities. Reflecting on predictions made in past episodes, the duo highlights real-world applications that are now gaining traction. From CO₂-based climate systems to telecom heat sinks a...

The world’s first international GIGA-Casting Conference has taken the foundry and automotive industry by storm! In this special episode, your hosts, Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström, sit down with Professor Dr.-Ing. Martin Fehlbier, the mastermind behind the event, to discuss the groundbreaking insights, industry shifts, and future challenges of GIGA-Casting. What’s inside this episode? * The...

In this Goldcasting episode, hosts Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström are joined by Raphael Heilig to explore how collaboration and digitalization can define the future of the European die-casting industry. Sponsored by Euroguss365, the discussion addresses industry challenges, innovation's importance, and collective action's transformative power. Episode Highlights * The State of the Industry...

Have you ever wondered why some messages stick while others fade into oblivion? In Gold Nugget 39, we dive deep into the art and science of storytelling. Understand how it captivates, persuades, and ultimately drives action. Whether you're in sales or marketing or just want to be a more compelling communicator, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss! What’s inside this episode...

In this episode of Goldcasting, hosts Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström welcome Eric Müller to discuss the role of marketing in shaping the future of the die-casting industry. Sponsored by Euroguss365, the conversation explores the industry's need for better outreach, attracting young talent, the role of modern communication platforms, and fostering collaboration to secure a sustainable future...

We dive into the innovative world of HERA™ microspray release agent with Darko Tomazic from Chem-Trend in this sponsored episode of the Goldcasting Podcast. Packed with insights and real-world applications, Gold Nugget 37 is a must-listen for anyone in the High-Pressure Die-Casting industry. Episode Highlights * Meet Chem-Trend: Darko Tomazic, a Chem-Trend veteran of 26 years, shares how his hands...

In this Gold Nugget of the Goldcasting Podcast, we explore the transformative power of employer branding in the foundry industry, sponsored by Euroguss 365. Joined by Carsten König of Grob, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas dive deep into strategies to attract, retain, and grow the next generation of talent in a competitive global market. Carsten König: “Whining about finding talent isn’t a so...

In this entertaining and reflective Christmas episode of the Goldcasting Podcast, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas boldly examine their predictions for 2024 and admit where they missed the mark. With plenty of laughs, honest insights, and surprising outcomes, the duo reviews last year’s forecasts and evaluates how the real world unfolded. Highlights: * 2024 Predictions Review:  Staffan and Fa...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Goldcasting Podcast, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas welcome Marco Carlson, Polestar's Technical Project Leader in Metals and Minerals, for an engaging discussion about the brand's far-reaching sustainability initiatives. Highlights: * Polestar's Sustainability Philosophy: Discover how Polestar integrates sustainability with performance, design, and i...

Join Fabian Niklas, Staffan Zetterström, and their guest, Benjamin Jung, for this game-changing episode of the Goldcasting Podcast, sponsored by Euroguss 365. In it, we unpack the exciting opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the European foundry industry. In Gold Nugget 33, we dive into the highlights from the Euroguss Executive Circle, who sponsored this episode and explored the pow...

In Goldcasting episode 32, we reveal the keys to effective marketing channel use in the foundry industry. Discover how to leverage diverse platforms to create engaging, impactful marketing that resonates with your audience! Episode Highlights : * The Right Channels for Your Message : Learn why your marketing needs tailored content for each platform. From LinkedIn’s professional reach to TikTok’s y...

In this episode, Staffan Zetterström and Fabian Niklas explore iconic marketing stunts that reshaped their industries and how foundries can emulate these bold, imaginative campaigns! Episode Highlights: * Michelin Guide's Road to Success : Discover how Michelin started as a tire company but became synonymous with luxury dining. Michelin understood that promoting driving led to more tire sales. Thi...

In this lively episode of the Goldcasting Podcast, Stefan Zetterström and Per Jansson take Fabian Niklas and you as a listener on a journey to the recent NADCA show, where they explored the latest trends in die casting technology and industry outlooks. They share firsthand insights from the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) event, offering a glimpse into how the U.S. die-casting indus...