“Many foundries are ‘Hidden Champions,’ which are not visible to potential customers but perform well. SUpplyDU.com want to give these companies a stage and the possibility of being easily recognized by relevant buyers,” SUpplyDU.com

With over two decades of dedicated experience in the casting and automotive sectors, Kai Maier has assumed various management positions, leveraging his expertise in casting and market dynamics. Currently serving as the Co-Founder and General Manager for Europe at SupplyDu.com, he is pivotal in steering the company's strategic direction and operational excellence within the region. Maier's profound industry knowledge and leadership have driven growth and innovation in the automotive and casting domains.

Matthias Bressau brings extensive leadership experience in materials management and operations across various European and Asian industries. With a proven track record, he assumes the role of Co-Founder and General Manager for the Asia Pacific region. As an industry expert and a specialist in the Asia Pacific market, Matthias drives strategic initiatives and fosters growth with his in-depth knowledge and expertise.

AL Circle: What inspired you to create a marketplace dedicated to the casting industry? How does SUpplyDU.com revolutionize the aluminium casting industry?

SUpplyDU.com: Our idea was born when we worked together in materials and supplier management. A few years back, we were directly impacted by a trade war. Launching a new project with a high-pressure die-casting supplier, we faced the situation that the casting tools were already available as they were produced locally. Still, the imported casting cell was held up in customs with a waiting period of several months. As it was impossible to find a suitable supplier to use the tools for a certain period to start production, we initiated online research to find alternatives. We quickly recognised that acquiring the necessary information to find great suppliers that matched our specific demands is extremely tedious. Usually, the relevant key data like technical capabilities, certifications, product know-how and machine portfolio and capacities were just not readily available online or offline. This was the starting point of our idea, as we were convinced that there must be a way to make the industry more transparent.

Our platform is changing this by giving a holistic overview of the global supplier base. Our mission is to instill market transparency through the platform, enabling users worldwide to find tailored partnerships.

AL Circe: What unique features does SUpplyDU.com offer to casting manufacturers, especially the aluminium sector seeking reliable suppliers?

SUpplyDU.com: SUpplyDU.com is the digital platform revolutionising the global metal casting industry. The platform boasts a sophisticated search engine. This engine efficiently links numerous dependable suppliers and industrial customers and streamlines decision-making and contact establishment through a wealth of supplementary information.

AL Circle: How does SUpplyDU.com address aluminium casting buyers' challenges in sourcing quality suppliers?

SUpplyDU.com: We are creating trust for customers by implementing on-site verifications to ensure that all data provided on the supplier profile is absolutely accurate. From the middle of 2024, we will also launch a new function, where buyers can create projects on SUpplyDU.com for free. These projects will be automatically matched with all suitable suppliers based on actual project demands and real supplier capabilities, further enhancing the matching quality.

AL Circle: Explore the innovative database of aluminium casting suppliers on SUpplyDU.com: What sets them apart?

SUpplyDU.com: The platform offers all its basic functions for free. These include searching for suitable business partners, setting up professional profiles, and establishing contact with buyers.

SUpplyDU.com serves casting and machining suppliers and incorporates equipment manufacturers on the platform. This unique approach ensures that technological advancements, new developments, and innovations are easily accessible to the supplier base. In this way, suitable machine sources for new projects can also be identified all in one place.

AL Circle: How can aluminium casting manufacturers leverage SUpplyDU.com to enhance global visibility and attract relevant customers?

SUpplyDU.com: Casting suppliers can showcase their specific capabilities on the only B2B platform tailored for the casting industry. Since casting buyers are usually only active on SUpplyDU.com, they are highly likely to attract the right match.

There are many foundries that are ‘Hidden Champions,’ which are not visible to potential customers but perform well. We also want to give these companies a stage and the possibility of being easily recognized by relevant buyers.

AL Circle: How does SupplyDU.com ensure that aluminium casting suppliers will meet stringent quality standards?

SUpplyDU.com: Our onsite verification process confirms all information that is provided on the supplier profile. This includes not only technical know-how but also the validity of quality certifications and product complexity.

Besides this, we also offer various business services via our partner network, ranging from training and project management to quality certifications and sustainability, to help suppliers and customers further develop standards and processes to meet evolving requirements.

AL Circle: What administrative needs can aluminium casting buyers fulfil through SUpplyDU.com, and how does it streamline the procurement process?

SUpplyDU.com: SUpplyDU.com focuses on creating perfect matches between suppliers in the casting and machining industry and relevant customers. This means we are significantly increasing efficiency and finding reliable partners. It’s also possible now to find new sources and different regions, which required the use of huge financial and personnel resources in the past. By implementing the project function, we create an additional tool to further streamline this process, as only suppliers will be addressed that match the specific customer and project demands.

AL Circle: What does the future hold for SUpplyDU.com and its role in shaping the aluminium casting industry landscape?

SUpplyDU.com: Looking ahead, SUpplyDU.com is committed to strategic growth and employs established marketing and sales tools. The focus is on enhancing international visibility, expanding services, and increasing platform membership. We aim to bolster the expert network, extending on-the-ground support for customers and suppliers. SUpplyDU.com will be an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a supplier or customer globally.

The platform's development is ongoing to incorporate even more players into the casting industry. These can include tooling manufacturers, auxiliary materials, and industrial service providers.