Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this Oct. 21, 2008, edition:

AFS Announces Enhancements to Energy Solutions Program
AFS has launched a new, comprehensive set of energy services to help its members minimize costs. In conjunction with TDI Consulting, Inc. (TDI), Lemont, Ill., a leading utility cost containment firm for electrical, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer expenses, AFS is adding valuable services to its ever growing list of Corporate Membership benefits.

The new AFS Energy Solutions program will now offer:

  • utility bill auditing;
  • identification of refund opportunities;
  • competitive rate assessments;
  • advanced energy procurement assistance;
  • contract reviews;
  • electric conservation programs;
  • alternative energy options.

For more information on the AFS Energy Solutions program, contact Leo Baran, AFS Director of Membership Services, at 847/824-0181 x201 or lbaran@afsinc.org.

Submit Your Facility for Metalcaster of the Year
Entries for the 2008 AFS Metalcaster of the Year award are now being accepted. The award is designed to recognize AFS Corporate Member firms that have demonstrated new and innovative products or processes in the metalcasting industry.

To submit your facility for this award, click here. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at 800/537-4237 x286 or dkrugman@afsinc.org.

AFS Webinar: Global Warming and its Affect on Your Bottom Line
The second webinar in the Best of CastExpo series, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11:00 AM EST, will focus on global warming and its impact a metalcasting facility's bottom line. Presenters include Jim Schifo, Kermada Inc., and Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office. The hour and a half session will cover key topics including climate change, types of metalcasting energy consumed and Americal's Climate Security Act.

Upcoming Best of CastExpo webinars include:

  • Best of CastExpo - Engineering;
  • Best of CastExpo - Molding;
  • Best of Castexpo - Copper.

The cost to attend this and future Best of CastExpo webinars is $50 for AFS members, $100 for non-members. For more information on the Best of CastExpo webinar series, or to register for this webinar, contact Rebecca Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at rebecca@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237 x246.

Conference Focuses on Labor Issues, Family Medical Leave Act
The Labor Relations and Human Resources Conference will be held Oct. 29-31 at the Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel, San Antonio. The three-day event will include presentations on:

  • the changing political environment;
  • FMLA and military family leave;
  • labor issues;
  • globalization in metalcasting;
  • safety in the metalcasting facility;

To download a brochure for this event, click here. For more information, or to register for this conference, contact AFS customer service, at 800/537-4237.

How Competitive Are Your Wages? Find Out with AFS Survey
The challenge for companies in this decade is to find ways to create a workplace culture that attracts, retains and develops effective employees. Employers must stay competitive and offer salaries and benefits in-line not only with competitors, but all metalcasters. 

Is your labor agreement due to expire soon? The 2008 AFS Survey of Wages and Economic Benefits can assist you with your contract negotiations, and provide you with details on the current status of wages and benefits for the metalcasting industry in North America by a metalcasting facility's size, union status and type of metal poured. See how your metalcasting facility measures up. For more information, contact AFS customer service, at 800/534-4237.

Campbell to Teach Second Annual Workshop
For the second year, AFS is offering a practical two-day workshop with Professor John Campbell, Univ. of Birmingham, U.K., focusing on the structure and properties of castings and reduction of entrainment defects. The workshop is scheduled for Nov. 12 at AFS Headquarters and will draw attention to the latest concepts regarding the filling and feeding of castings and ways to reduce scrap, raise quality and reduce costs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own problem castings to be examined as class exercises. To download more information on this event click here. For more information, contact Rebecca Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at 800/537-4237 x246 or rebecca@afsinc.org.

Looking for more information on metalcasting? The publication Metalcasting Dictionary, 2nd Edition can help. AFS Special Publications has everything you need to supplement your metalcasting training. Visit www.afsinc.org/estore or call 800/537-4237 for more information.