The story
Belagavi's foundries grew from the 1960s, serving the engineering, pump and automobile industries of Kolhapur, Pune and Bengaluru. Good moulding sand, skilled workers and rail links to Maharashtra helped the cluster grow in industrial estates such as Udyambag and Machhe. A common facility project, the Belgaum Foundry Cluster, was set up to give testing and sand reclamation. Belagavi is also home to India's first aerospace SEZ.
In numbers
The Belgaum Foundry Cluster had 110 functional units with a turnover of Rs 120 crore, exports of Rs 16 crore and employment of 1,800 (2010-11 data).
Brief Industrial Profile of Belgaum District (MSME-DI Hubli, DC-MSME) · 2011India's first aerospace SEZ is operational in Belagavi.
Karnataka State Industrial Profile 2015-16 (MSME-DI Bengaluru, DC-MSME) · 2016
Ways in for a newcomer
- Pattern making and core shop job-work
- Machining and finishing of raw castings
- Testing lab and sand reclamation services
- Supply precision parts to aerospace firms in the Belagavi SEZ
Problems the cluster faces
- Old cupola technology and air pollution rules
- Rising coke and scrap prices
- Shortage of skilled moulders
- Price pressure from large buyers
Businesses to start here
Malleable Iron Castings (Pipe Fittings and Auto Parts) →High Duty Iron Castings (Foundry) →Steel Castings (Induction Furnace Foundry) →Wooden Pattern Making →Cast Iron Brake Drums (Small Foundry) →