BLRT opens Estonia’s first industrial foundry in Kohila

Estonia’s first industrial foundry has opened in Kohila, Rapla County, following a 14 million euro investment by BLRT Valukoda, a subsidiary of BLRT Group, ERR reports.

The plant was built to meet demand for heavier castings and can produce up to 3,000 tonnes a year. BLRT says it will make large cast-iron components and structures, with potential to attract new customers in the Nordic countries.

The foundry will produce cast-iron machine parts for electric motors, forestry machines and boilers. BLRT Group board member Algerd Andruškevitšus said demand for larger and heavier castings was particularly strong among the company’s customers and partners in Scandinavia.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the investment was important for industry and could also serve the defence industry in future.

The factory received its operating permit on Thursday and is scheduled to start production on Monday. Equipment has been set up, and the first moulds have come off the production lines, said Paul Gross, managing director of BLRT Valukoda. The company currently needs 10 more workers and expects the factory to employ up to 70 people.