Save Money With Energy Solutions
AFS, in association with KCG Power, has developed the Energy Solutions program for AFS Corporate Members as a way to reduce the impact energy supply (electricity and gas) has on your bottom line by helping you purchase energy at a lower cost. If your facilities reside in a true deregulated state, Energy Solutions is an option for you.

Benefits of the Energy Solutions program include:

access to the low-cost provider of energy with typically 10-25% savings;
simple pricing model–no surcharges or hidden costs;
flexible contract terms;
consultation on deregulation, pricing and contract terms.

For more information regarding Energy Solutions, visit www.afsinc.org/energysolutions, or contact Leo Baran, AFS director of membership services, at lbaran@afsinc.org.

CastExpo '08 Hotel Accommodations Now Available
AFS and North American Die Casting Association announce the opening of registration for hotel accommodations for CastExpo '08, May 17-20, 2008, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Hotels affiliated with CastExpo include the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Marriott Downtown, Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Embassy Suites and the Holiday Inn Atlanta-Downtown. For more information regarding hotel accommodations or for room reservations, visit www.castexpo.com/lodging.

CastExpo represents the single largest trade show and exposition in North America for metalcasters and industry suppliers. Held every three years, CastExpo attracts thousands of decision-making metalcasters from around the world, all of whom are looking for the latest advancements in equipment, technology and services to use in their own facilities. For more information or to exhibit at CastExpo '08, contact www.castexpo.com or email kdrager@afsinc.org.

Ductile Iron Webinar Coming in December
Engineered Casting Solutions magazine has scheduled a free webinar on the benefits and applications of austempered ductile iron (ADI). Scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at either 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. EST, this 45-minute webinar is for designers and buyers of metal castings, as well as metalcasters looking to enter the ADI market. In the webinar, ADI experts will detail how designing with ADI can provide mechanical properties similar to steel with weight and cost reduction opportunities when compared to both aluminum and steel components.

To register for this webinar, visit www.castsolutions.com/adiwebinar. If you have any questions, contact Dave Krugman, American Foundry Society, at dkrugman@afsinc.org.

Metalcasting Facility Incidence Rates Drop in 2006
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its 2006 report on incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. The metalcasting industry has achieved a 9.6% reduction since 2005 in recordable injury and illness cases and a 9% decrease since 2005 in cases with days away, restricted or transferred, which serves as the basis for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's inspection programs.

For more information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' report, contact Fred Kohloff, AFS director of environmental, health and safety, at fkohloff@afsinc.org.

Call for Outdated Federal Regulations Issued
The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is issuing a call for the nomination of ineffective and outdated federal regulations that negatively impact your business This program is part of Advocacy's Regulatory Review and Reform Initiative that helps small businesses address the cumulative federal regulatory burden.

Stakeholders who are interested in recommending reform of a current rule or regulatory program should provide Advocacy with a description of the current rule and the reasons why the rule or program should be reformed. Stakeholders also need to describe their recommended reform. After Advocacy receives and reviews a recommendation for reform, staff will work with the stakeholders to develop sufficient information to move forward. Nominations are due by Dec. 31. To view a copy of the nomination form, click here.

To nominate a regulation, email or fax a copy of the form to Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at aoman@afsinc.org or 202/898-0188. Questions on the nomination process should be directed to Keith Holman, Advocacy's Assistant Chief Counsel, at keith.holman@sba.gov or 202-205-6936.

New to Blueprints? CMI Offers Interpretation Course
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) will be offering a Basic Blueprint Interpretation course Jan. 29-30 at AFS Headquarters, Schaumburg, Ill. This course opens the door to the very important language of blueprints. General rules and concepts are discussed, along with methods of shape and size description. Blueprint drawings are examined from the metalcasters' point of view. For more information, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.