Business View Magazine November-December 2018

166 167 IMPRO INDUSTRIES USA INC. subsidiary. Investment casting is a process of forming metal that typically uses a wax pattern surrounded by a ceramic shell to make a ceramic mold.When the shell dries, the wax is melted away, leaving only the mold.Then the casting component is formed by pouring molten metal–cast iron, stainless steel, low alloy or carbon steel, aluminum or copper alloys - into the ceramic mold. Investment Casting compris- es 41 percent of Impro’s business portfolio. The sand casting process involves creating a mold from a three-dimensional sand pattern, then filling the mold cavity with molten metal,which is then cooled and solidified.The benefits of sand casting are numerous.There are minimal restrictions on the shape, size, and material.The process is extremely efficient by using dry sand, green sand, or chemically bonded sand. Sand casting is a better option over die casting because it allows for low or high-volume production. Sand Casting comprises 16 percent of Impro’s business portfolio. Precision machining is the process of cutting metal parts to make them fit today’s modern tech- nologies. Impro specializes in hydraulic spools, pistons, engine fuel injectors, and assemblies using computer numerically controlled CNCmachines, and other tools. Precision Machining is responsible for 33 percent of Impro’s business. Finally, surface treatment involves electroplating, a process used to change the surface properties of a metal part by adding a metal coating onto its surface through the action of electric current; and non-electrolytic coating,which involves the applica- tion of corrosion-resistant materials, lubricants, and other functional materials to the surface of the ob- jects to improve their corrosion resistance,wear resis- tance, and for decorative functions. Surface Treatment comprises 10 percent of the company’s portfolio. Currently, according to Rex Sun, Group Vice Presi- dent of Business Strategy and Integration, Impro is ranked seventh in the world in the investment cast- ing sector; fourth in precision machining for high-end high precision parts; and sixth for complex, high-per- formance sand casting, especially for high horsepow- er engines and related parts.That rapid growth in just two decades has resulted largely from the com- pany’s “twin growth engine”of organic growth plus strategic acquisition.“From 2012 to 2014,we made acquisitions in each of our four sectors,”Sun reports. Today, Impro Precision has a worldwide workforce of around 7,000 people, and plants, logistics centers, and offices in many different countries, including: