Overview
Since its establishment in 1967, PIAD has been dedicated to expanding the casting market by directly competing with and converting functional components from traditional manufacturing processes. At the core of PIAD’s mission is the belief that our specialized casting process, coupled with extensive quality control standards, offers an outstanding alternative for design engineers seeking high-performance components. This philosophy has propelled PIAD to become a prominent industry leader in the manufacturing of precision castings. Over the years, PIAD has continually refined its processes to meet stringent industry demands, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed customer expectations for quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness. By prioritizing innovation and customer satisfaction, PIAD continues to drive advancements in the casting sector, establishing itself as a trusted partner for industries requiring precision-engineered components.
PIAD Precision Casting, headquartered in Greensburg, PA, has thrived by focusing on casting conversion, greatly expanding its customer base. Initially established as a joint venture between an American company and German firm Piel and Adey, PIAD faced challenges introducing customers to the benefits of its copper chill permanent mold process and identifying suitable applications. To address these challenges, PIAD redefined its business strategy.
Rather than simply selling castings, PIAD positioned itself as a provider of functional components using the PIAD chill casting method. PIAD broadened its scope beyond targeting casting buyers, competing across all manufacturing processes. This strategic shift has been pivotal in PIAD's growth.
Today, PIAD primarily secures new orders through converting components from other manufacturing methods to metal casting. We actively seek labor-intensive components suitable for conversion, successfully transitioning parts originally machined from bar stock, machined forgings, sand castings requiring extensive secondary machining, welding assemblies, brazing assemblies, and substituting steel weldments with our aluminum bronzes and brasses.
This approach has significantly expanded PIAD's market opportunities, reflecting our commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions in the competitive manufacturing landscape.
PIAD operates an intricate manufacturing operation featuring 15 manual permanent mold stations, and 9 semi-automated casting machines. PIAD’s capabilities extend across a diverse array of applications, demonstrating our adaptability from converting complex fabrications into single-piece castings. PIAD manufactures components ranging from nickel-aluminum-bronze wear pads for mobile aerial work platforms to brass adapters for power pallet trucks. Notably, the electrical industry constitutes a significant portion of PIAD’s business, leveraging the benefits of copper-base alloys' superior electrical conductivity and the near net shape capabilities of permanent mold casting. Components such as copper line conductors for high-amperage breakers exemplify our expertise in precision casting for critical electrical applications.
Recognizing market demands for integrated solutions and shortened lead times, PIAD established its own 28,000 sq.-ft machine shop in 1989. This facility ensures comprehensive machining capabilities to deliver fully finished products directly to customers’ specifications. Additionally, PIAD collaborates with multiple external machine shops when additional capacity is needed to meet fluctuating demands.