KINGSWINFORD based Mechatherm International Limited is celebrating 50 years in business.

The firm is the UK’s largest supplier of aluminium casthouse equipment.

Established in 1973, Mechatherm began with the aim of providing bespoke aluminium melting and holding furnaces with robust British engineering and industry leading technologies.

Founded by Bryan Emes, John Gardner and Louis Riley, the company began in a spare bedroom in Epsom - supplying small furnaces to the UK aluminium industry. Things began to change in the 1990s when they completed their first large-scale international smelter project.

Since then the company has continued to grow, installing the largest recycling plant of its kind at JW Aluminium in the US in 2019, establishing the brand as a global leader in aluminium casthouse equipment.

Among its many achievements, Mechatherm has won the Queen’s Award for Export on three occasions.

The company's commitment to sustainability has also been a driving force behind its success.

Mechatherm has developed innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation in the aluminium recycling process.

The culmination of this work will see Mechatherm convert the world’s first aluminium melting furnace for production use in 2024.

Mechatherm chairman Andrew Riley said: “Mechatherm has come a long way in the last 50 years from my father’s back bedroom in Epsom, where it all began, to a multinational, award-winning, company with its own premises.

“My father would be very proud of what everyone has achieved now and will achieve going forward, as am I. The future is bright.”

Mechatherm director Chris Emes said: “I have incredible pride at working for, then running Mechatherm for over 40 years, and now as Mechatherm rise from the ashes of Covid, returning to assist in what has been a record-breaking year in sales.”

To mark the milestone in business, Mechatherm will be hosting a series of events throughout the year - including a gala dinner and a show stand in the US at Aluminium USA in October.