Doncasters Group Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of precision components and assemblies, has invested £3 million in its Ross & Catherall facility (Forge Lane, Killamarsh, Sheffield) to further enhance its superalloy production capability.

Ross & Catherall is the world leader in the development and production of vacuum-melted and continuously-cast superalloy barstock.

The investment in an upgraded vacuum induction degassing and pouring (VIDP) furnace, additional furnace bodies and the expansion of its concast capability will see the site offering an extra 2500 tonnes per annum of vacuum melting capacity for customers in the aerospace, industrial gas turbine, automotive and medical sectors.

Alistair Schofield managing director of Doncasters' Speciality Castings division, said: "The ready availability of quality superalloys is central to the continued success of UK manufacturing, particularly in high-stress / performance industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical and power generation.

"Our customers are continually looking for increased performance from the materials and superalloys we supply and the expertise of our metallurgists is always in demand to help them meet increasingly stringent performance requirements.

"This £3m investment in additional, specialist production capacity will allow us to strengthen our partnerships by flexing production to meet changing customer requirements – a key issue as markets begin to pick up after the global economic downturn."