Metalshub and Cast Metals Federation Partner to Drive Digital Transformation in UK Foundries

Düsseldorf, Germany, 18 May 2026 – Metalshub, a leading platform provider for the metals and mining industry, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), the UK’s primary trade association representing the foundry sector. The collaboration marks a clear intent to accelerate digitalisation and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the UK foundry industry.

This partnership establishes a joint initiative to equip foundries with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex procurement landscape. By combining CMF’s deep industry reach with Metalshub’s digital infrastructure, the collaboration aims to unlock new efficiencies, improve market transparency, and enable more resilient supply chains across the sector.

At a time when foundries are facing rising input costs, supply volatility, and increasing regulatory pressure, access to structured, data-driven procurement processes is an effective way forward. Through this partnership, CMF members will gain exclusive, discounted access to Metalshub’s platform, enabling them to transition from traditional sourcing methods to more dynamic, competitive, and transparent procurement strategies.

To learn more and see how Metalshub can help foundries to save cost, sign-up to the webinar with the CMF on MetalshubTalks this July on the topic of “Digital Transformation in the UK Foundry Industry.”

Beyond commercial benefits, the partnership is designed as a broader industry initiative. Metalshub and CMF will collaborate on knowledge-sharing activities, including joint webinars, market insights, and industry engagement, aimed at supporting foundries in adopting digital best practices. By lowering the barriers to entry for digital procurement, the initiative seeks to foster a more connected and transparent ecosystem within the UK casting industry.

Once onboarded, foundries will be able to access a global network of raw material suppliers, conduct competitive tenders, and leverage advanced functionalities such as reverse auctions, offer normalisation, and real-time analytics. These capabilities enable procurement teams to move beyond price benchmarking toward strategic sourcing decisions supported by auditable data and market intelligence.

The partnership also builds on Metalshub’s growing presence within the UK, where leading foundry groups have already begun integrating digital procurement into their operations, including MAT Foundry Group, Paralloy & Firth Vickers, and William Cook. By working with CMF, Metalshub aims to extend these benefits to a broader segment of the market, including small- and mid-sized foundries seeking scalable solutions to modernise their sourcing processes.

“Our partnership with the CMF will enable a structural shift in how the industry operates,” added Dr. Sebastian Kreft, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Metalshub. “Together, we are creating a pathway for foundries to adopt digital procurement in a practical and accessible way, helping them reduce costs, improve transparency, and build more resilient supply chains in an increasingly competitive environment.”

As the global metals and mining industry continues to embrace digital transformation, collaborations such as this highlight the growing importance of industry-wide initiatives. By aligning technology providers with established industry bodies, the partnership lays the foundation for accelerating innovation while ensuring the benefits of digitalisation are accessible across the entire foundry landscape.

The Cast Metals Federation is the UK’s trade association for the foundry industry, representing companies responsible for approximately 85% of national casting output. Its members include a broad spectrum of foundries producing iron, steel, aluminium, and zinc castings across a wide range of industrial applications. CMF provides technical, legal, environmental, and training support, while acting as the collective voice of the industry in engagement with government, regulators, and international partners. The organisation plays a key role in advancing sustainability, skills development, and the competitiveness of the UK casting sector.

Contact

Lee Marshall, CEO, leemarshall@cmfed.co.uk

Metalshub is a leading platform provider for the metals and mining industry. By leveraging advanced technology and market expertise, Metalshub provides digital solutions for buyers and sellers to connect, negotiate, and close transactions. With its innovative solutions, Metalshub empowers 3,000+ businesses to optimise supply chains, make informed decisions, and drive growth in the digital era. Its platform enables sellers to provide provenance, carbon footprint and ESG information to its customers in an auditable form, leading to qualification for key target market regulations.

Contact

Dr. Sebastian Kreft, Co-Founder and Managing Director, sebastian.kreft@metals-hub.com