Foseco provides materials and consultancy services to the metal- casting and steel-making industries. The company operates in 32 countries, including China, India and eastern Europe. In 1989 it was acquired by Burmah Castrol, then in 2001 it was sold to Cinven, the venture-capital firm, and management. The firm’s sales have risen steadily and reached £404m in 2003, gaining the company a place in the Top Track 100 for the first time, although it sold part of its operations earlier this year.