Lestercast Ltd

29/07/2026

🏆⚽ Lestercast World Cup 2026 Sweepstake Winners Announced! ⚽🏆
A huge congratulations to our Inspection Department Team Leader, Kirsten Purdy, who emerged victorious in the Lestercast World Cup 2026 Sweepstake! Kirsten struck it lucky by drawing Spain, whose impressive tournament performance secured first place and the top cash prize of £55. Well done, Kirsten! 🎉

Lestercast Maintenance Engineer Chris Strong, took second place after drawing Argentina, earning a £25 prize. And in third place, Stewart Lee claimed £15 after drawing ENGLAND! 🎉

The sweepstake brought plenty of excitement, friendly competition, and football conversations across the business during the World Cup, helping to bring colleagues together and add to the tournament spirit.

Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who took part and made the sweepstake such a success. We would like to say a big 'thank you' to our Quality Engineer Lisa Hunt, for doing such a fantastic job in organising the event.

We’re already looking forward to the next one! ⚽🙌

07/07/2026

Innovation in aluminium investment casting is driven by continuous process optimisation, and we're excited to share another milestone from our internal R&D programme at Lestercast.

Our engineering team has successfully developed and implemented a new aluminium casting technique that further minimises the risk of inclusions, enhancing overall casting quality. In addition to delivering a cleaner metal stream, the process also reduces wear on critical casting equipment, extending operational life and improving process reliability.

Complementing this development is the introduction of an additional sandbed into our casting process. Together, these innovations have enabled us to increase our mould pouring campaign capacity by 25%, delivering greater productivity without compromising quality or process control.

By investing in research, process engineering, and manufacturing, we improve efficiency, enhance product quality, and deliver more value to our customers.

If you would like to talk to us about your aluminium casting requirements, please call our engineers on +44 (0)116 276 7284.

01/07/2026

We were delighted to welcome Isla Smith to Lestercast this week. Isla was visiting from Bronze Age London, a foundry that specialises in large-scale bronze castings for both interior and exterior sculptural applications.

As one of the UK's leading investment casting foundries, we believe that advancing our industry depends not only on innovation within our own business, but also on supporting and sharing knowledge across the wider foundry community. When fellow professionals seek insight into our processes and techniques, we are always pleased to open our doors and contribute to the development of best practice within the sector.

During the visit, we provided a comprehensive tour of our facilities, showcasing every stage of our investment casting process - from pattern development and ceramic shell manufacture through to metal melting, pouring, fettling, finishing, and quality assurance. The discussions covered a range of technical topics, including process optimisation, defect reduction strategies, shell technology, alloy performance, surface finish requirements, and maintaining consistency across complex castings.

A sincere thank you to Isla for taking the time to visit. We are always happy to engage with fellow foundries, manufacturers, and industry professionals who are committed to technical excellence, continuous improvement, and the future of precision casting.

30/06/2026

👏 Congratulations to Team Pace Makers on completing the incredible challenge on Sunday in support of Alzheimer's Society. The team have managed to raise over a whopping £3000!

A huge well done to Colin Caine, Marc Healey, Russell Gray, Alan Kewley, and Karthik Shastri, who took on an extremely demanding 26-mile trek through the Peak District. The team had all managed to cross the finish line within 12 and a half hours, with only a couple of blisters and the standard aches and pains! Such an amazing achievement for all of them!

The route was no easy feat, with the team conquering over 1,100 metres of elevation across challenging terrain. To make the achievement even more impressive, they completed the challenge during one of the hottest weekends of the year, pushing themselves physically and mentally every step of the way.

Along the route, the team passed some of the Peak District’s most iconic landmarks, including Chatsworth House, Curbar Edge, Monsal Head Viaduct, and the Headstone Tunnel, before crossing the finish line in Bakewell.

Everyone at Lestercast Ltd is incredibly proud of what the team has achieved. Their determination, resilience, teamwork, and commitment to supporting Alzheimer's Society have been truly inspiring.

A sincere thank you to everyone who has already donated and supported the team throughout their fundraising journey. Your generosity is helping Alzheimer’s Society continue its vital work supporting people affected by dementia and funding much-needed research.

If you would like to support Team Pace Makers and help them make an even bigger impact, please consider making a donation using the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/team/lcpacemakers?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference and is greatly appreciated by both the team and those who benefit from the work of the Alzheimer's Society.

30/06/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to our latest Kudos Award winner, Chris Strong - Maintenance Engineer!

Chris received several nominations across multiple categories this quarter, reflecting the significant impact he has throughout the business. While each nomination highlighted different qualities, a common theme quickly emerged – Chris is the person people know they can rely on.

The nomination that stood out most was in the “Above and Beyond” category, recognising the dedication and commitment Chris demonstrates every single day. Whether he is repairing equipment, responding to breakdowns, supporting contractors, investigating issues, or helping colleagues solve problems, Chris consistently goes the extra mile to keep the site running safely and efficiently....

To read the full post, please visit our website - https://lestercast.co.uk/lestercast-kudos-award-winner-chris-strong/

Lestercast Kudos Award Winner Chris Strong - Maintenance Engineer. Chris received several nominations across multiple categories this quarter, reflecting the significant impact he has throughout the business.

18/06/2026

Congratulations to Chris Strong, our Maintenance Engineer, who has just celebrated 5 years of service with Lestercast!

To mark this milestone, Colin Caine presented Chris with a certificate and gift vouchers in recognition of his dedication, hard work, and commitment over the past five years.

As our Maintenance Engineer, Chris plays a vital role in the day-to-day success of our business. Working largely behind the scenes, he is responsible for ensuring that our foundry equipment, machinery, and facilities operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. His expertise and proactive approach help minimise downtime, prevent costly disruptions, and keep production running smoothly.
His ability to quickly diagnose issues, implement solutions, and keep critical systems operating at full capacity makes a significant contribution to the success of the entire operation.

Thank you, Chris, for your outstanding contribution to Lestercast over the last five years. Your hard work and commitment are greatly appreciated by everyone across the business. We look forward to many more successful years working together. 👏🎉

17/06/2026

Today, Quality Engineers Karthik Shastri and Lisa Hunt, along with General Operative Kye Smith, began a two-day Coordinate Measuring Machine ( ) training course on-site in the Metrology Lab.

Karthik is attending as a refresher, having already achieved full qualification as a CMM Inspector. For both Lisa and Kye, however, this training marks their introduction to CMM operation and programming.

Developing CMM capability within the Inspection Department is an important investment in maintaining and improving our quality standards. As customer requirements become increasingly demanding and component tolerances become more critical, having a broader team of trained personnel ensures we can continue to deliver accurate, repeatable, and reliable inspection results. Expanding CMM knowledge across the department also improves flexibility, strengthens succession planning, and helps reduce reliance on a limited number of operators.

The training, delivered by Quality Control Technology Ltd, provides a comprehensive understanding of both the operation and maintenance of the CMM, ensuring the equipment continues to perform accurately and consistently. The course covers the following key areas:

✅ Basic Use and Maintenance of the CMM
✅ Introduction to CMM Software and Coordinate Measuring Machines
✅Demonstration and Explanation of the Calibration Process
✅Method and Feature Selection
✅Basic Component Alignments
✅Demonstration and Explanation of Construction Options
✅Basic Report Creation
✅Geometric Tolerancing Options
✅Advanced Alignments and Rotation
✅Manual Programming
✅CNC Programming

By the end of the course, participants will have gained valuable skills that will enhance the department's inspection capabilities, improve measurement accuracy, and support our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest levels of product quality to our customers.

16/06/2026

Congratulations to Kirsten, who received his 15 years Lestercast long service award this month! 🎉
Kirsten was taken out for a celebratory lunch at The Bluebell Inn, with Managing Director Chris Batty, Operations Director Colin Caine and Kirsten's Production Manager Craig Townsend. Alongside the lunch, Kirsten also received an award certificate and some gift vouchers to show our appreciation for his hard work.

Kirsten joined Lestercast in May 2011 as a General Operative, starting his career in our Wax Room. From day one, he demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn, quickly becoming a valued member of the team.
After a short time in the Wax Room, Kirsten moved into the Shelling Department, where he spent several years developing his skills and gaining valuable experience across our manufacturing processes. During this time, he built a reputation as a reliable, hardworking team member who could always be counted on to get the job done.

As the import side of the business continued to grow, we identified a need for additional inspectors. It was clear to those around him that Kirsten had the potential to take on greater responsibility. However, at the time, stepping into a new role wasn’t something he felt ready for. Like many people, confidence can sometimes be the biggest barrier to progression.
Fast forward to 2025, and Kirsten’s journey has come full circle. Today, he proudly serves as one of our Team Leaders. This role reflects not only his technical knowledge and experience but also the personal development he has achieved throughout his time with the company.

Kirsten continues to learn, grow, and thrive. He leads by example, bringing a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to his team every day. His willingness to support others makes him an invaluable part of the Lestercast family.

Kirsten has been a Lestercast on-site first aider for the past few years, a responsibility where he has exceeded by helping save a colleagues life in 2024.

Kirsten regularly treats his team to pizzas, is always hands-on when help is needed, and he’s a dedicated family man. His hobbies include conspiracy theories and Liverpool FC.

Thank you, Kirsten, for your dedication and contribution to Lestercast. You are a real credit to the company and an inspiration to others looking to develop their careers with us.

11/06/2026

- DAY 3 - COME & VISIT US IN HALL 10, STAND 10B59!

What an incredible few days it has been at !

We've had the pleasure of meeting so many industry professionals, partners, customers, and innovators from across the foundry and casting sectors. The conversations, insights, and opportunities shared throughout the exhibition have been invaluable.

Today marks Day 3 and the final day of the show, and we're looking forward to making the most of every moment. If you haven't had a chance to visit us yet, there's still time to stop by and meet our sales manager, Marc Healey and our European sales team, to discover how we're helping drive innovation across the industry.

A huge thank you to everyone who has visited our stand so far - we've thoroughly enjoyed connecting with you all.

See you at on the final day of CastForge - International trade fair for castings and forgings with machining!

If you would like to speak to us, here in the UK, about your latest casting project please call +44 (0)116 276 7284.

10/06/2026

Come and visit us today at on stand 10B59 in Hall 10!

Sales Manager, Marc Healey and our European BDMs are ready to give their expert advice on your investment casting project. We have castings in a variety of metals and alloys with a selection of finishes on display. We are also showcasing our rapid prototyping capabilities with some 3D printed wax patterns from our new state-of-the-art 3D printer.

The exhibition, held in Messe Stuttgart, Germany, brings supply and demand together and showcases the value chain from castings and forgings to machining and the final component.

As manufacturers continue to diversify and strengthen their supply chains, finding trusted casting partners has never been more important. We look forward to meeting manufacturers, procurement teams, and engineering professionals seeking reliable investment casting solutions.

As a leading manufacturer of precision investment castings, we support global supply chains with high-quality castings for industries such as:

✓ Valves & Pumps
✓ Automotive & Motorsport
✓ Rail
✓ Marine
✓ Medical
✓ Energy
✓ General Engineering

More than just a casting supplier, we offer a comprehensive manufacturing solution. Alongside our investment casting capabilities, we provide a vast range of secondary treatments, machining operations, and surface finishes to deliver fully finished components ready for assembly.

Our on-site inspection facilities ensure the highest quality standards are maintained throughout production, while our secure stock-holding services help customers improve supply chain resilience and respond quickly to demand fluctuations.

With expertise in complex castings, consistent quality, and dependable delivery, we help OEMs and Tier suppliers reduce risk and optimise their sourcing strategies.

If you're attending and are looking for a trusted casting partner, we'd be delighted to discuss your requirements and explore how we can support your business.