Connecting Continents: Eurac Poole Visits MDAP and China Metal Expo

Last month, three members of the Eurac Poole team travelled to China to visit our colleagues at the MDAP facility and attend one of the industry’s most prestigious events, the annual China Metal Expo.

Founded in 1987, the China Metal Expo has grown into one of the most acclaimed exhibitions in the global foundry calendar. For Eurac, it’s long been on the radar, but this marked the first time our team was able to attend. The timing was ideal, aligning with a long-anticipated visit to MDAP, our group facility in China, enabling the team to combine both opportunities into one productive trip.

As always, our colleagues at MDAP offered a warm and generous welcome, something everyone who visits MDAP comments on positively. The itinerary was packed, making the most of the team’s four-day trip.

The visit began with a tour of the MDAP facility, where our Poole team was able to observe operations, exchange ideas and learn more about the daily challenges and innovations driving success in the region. Seeing the plant firsthand provided fresh perspectives on process efficiency, automation and quality control. It also reinforced a shared sense of purpose and culture that underpins the MAT Foundry Group as a whole.

The current global economic climate presents a more complex and competitive environment for all of us. In such times, it becomes even more important to make full use of the experience and expertise we have within the group. This is where the real value of inter-site collaboration becomes clear.

Visits like this are not just about seeing new machinery or comparing production metrics, they’re about creating and strengthening the human connections that allow knowledge to flow freely across borders. Whether it's solving a common problem, exploring process improvements or developing shared standards, these interactions help unify the group and raise the bar across every facility.

Global Insight at China Metal Expo

While in China, the team also took the opportunity to attend the China Metal Expo. With hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from across the globe, the event is a valuable window into the latest trends, technologies and suppliers shaping the future of the foundry industry.

Of particular interest this year were developments in automation and smart manufacturing. As we look to continuously improve productivity and quality across our operations, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve in these areas. Automation is already playing a significant role across MAT Foundry Group sites, and exploring new solutions from international suppliers is part of how we stay innovative and responsive to customer needs.

Attending the expo also provided a chance to meet new suppliers and potential partners. Widening our network on a global scale helps us diversify our options and build resilience into our supply chains, something that’s become increasingly important in recent years.

One Group, One Goal

The value of face-to-face interaction, especially across cultures and time zones, should not be underestimated. Visits like this reinforce a shared group identity and remind us that we’re all working toward the same goal: delivering the best possible castings and service to our customers.

At MAT Foundry Group, we’re proud of the collaborative spirit that runs through our global sites. It’s an approach built on trust, openness and a continuous drive to learn and improve. Whether it’s a conversation over coffee in Poole, a plant tour in China, or a connection made on the show floor of an international expo, every opportunity to engage helps make us stronger.

Our thanks go to the team at MDAP for their hospitality and insight, and to the organisers of China Metal Expo. As we reflect on the trip, one thing is clear; when we work together across borders, we unlock the full potential of our people, processes and partnerships.

MAT Foundry group are a leading manufacturer of grey and ductile iron car components. To learn more about us, view our products or contact us today.

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