History
Thomas Foundry is a privately owned South African company that opened its doors for business under the name of East Rand Engineering in 1905.
East Rand Engineering’s foundry was relocated to the current site in Smits Street Germiston in 1924.
In 1969 Brian Thomas joined the company as the Managing Director. Two years later, in partnership with Reg Pilliner, he bought out the owners East Rand Engineering, who had decided to close the company.
In 1981, Brian Thomas acquired full control of the business when he bought out Reg Pilliner’s shares.
Brian Thomas served the company first as Managing Director and later as Chairman of the Board until he passed away in May 1999.
Facilities
Manufacturing facilities at Thomas Foundry include an Air Set Alkaline Resin Sand Foundry for jobbing and short production runs .
Thomas Foundry produces a variety of high quality ferrous castings ranging from 25 Kg up to 10 Tons net weight in Steel and up to 12 tons net weight in Iron. Products are supplied in As Cast, Proof Machined or Final Machined conditions.
In line with Thomas Foundry’s drive to improve quality, while at the same time minimizing its impact on environmental pollution, the company has invested in the latest generation sand reclamation plant that incorporates advanced technology for the recovery, grading, cooling, classifying and cleaning of its foundry sand and reuse in the moulding process.
Induction melting furnaces of various capacities supply a range of alloys to meet the customer’s order requirements. During the casting process, test pieces are cast for metallographic examination and physical testing. Metal composition is strictly controlled and certified to international acceptance standards through use of the latest ARL emission Spectrometer.
Thomas Foundry is well equipped to perform the ancillary functions of patternmaking, melting, fettling, welding, heat treatment, chemical analysis, mechanical and non- destructive testing.
Technology
Thomas Foundry employs Solid Edge and Magamasoft simulation technology to minimize the risk of shrinkage cavities and associated defects that may arise during manufacture. Methods are designed in-house through the use of 3-D solid modeling and thermal analysis to ensure the metal is distributed quickly and evenly and is adequately fed during solidification so as to minimize internal defects. Thomas Foundry’s service offering includes technical input and advice of skilled foundry personnel at the design stage.