foundry

This term describes a specialized industrial facility centered on the process of melting material and pouring it into molds. In traditional metallurgy, it evokes images of intense heat, molten iron, and heavy machinery used to create structural components. In the modern electronics industry, the term has shifted to describe a business model where a fabrication plant produces integrated circuits for fabless companies. This usage emphasizes the service-based nature of high-tech manufacturing rather than the physical act of casting metal.