Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this May 19, 2009, edition:
Metalcasters Lobby for Pro-Manufacturing Legislation
More than 100 U.S. metalcasters visited Washington, D.C. to attend the 2009 Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference, which was held May 4-5 at the Capitol Hilton, Washington D.C.
Attendees heard from U.S. Congressmen and policy experts on key industry issues and met with their members of Congress to discuss the impact pending laws will have on their business and our industry. The issues discussed included card check, cap-and-trade legislation, health care reform and mandated leave benefits.
The two-day event featured presentations from Dr. Peter Morici, economist from the Univ. of Maryland, who provided an overview of the 2009 Economic Outlook and the role of the new Administration in fixing the economy. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from several members of the U.S. Congress, including the ranking member of the Budget Committee, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and newly-elected Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY). Congressman Guthrie is the first metalcaster in more than a decade to serve in the U.S. Congress.
“These are challenging times for all metalcasters and a very critical time to be reaching out to our elected officials,” said Steve Reynolds, AFS president. “The Congressional meetings are an important part of our industry outreach efforts and we were very pleased to have good dialogue with some of the key lawmakers to help move our industry and our economy forward.”
For more information on the 2009 Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference, visit the Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs website at www.metalcastinggov.com, or contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Washington Office, at 202/842-4864 or ss@wafed.com.
Successful Leaders, Leading Firms to Speak at Executive Conference
Many challenges face our industry, making this a crucial time for us to stay ahead of the pack. What strategies are metalcasting facilities utilizing to compete in today’s global marketplace? How is your facility measuring up to safety and health excellence? What is the status of the current political landscape? All of these questions and more will be addressed at the 2009 Foundry Executive Conference, which will be held Sept. 20-22 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado, Calif.
Featured topics include:
- Beyond Employee Retention–Developing an Inclusionary Culture, Tim McMillin, Fairmount Minerals
- The Application of the Golden Rule for Life and Business, Van Richey, ACIPCO
- Reality Becomes Perception: McWane’s Success Story and the Public Campaign Behind It, Michelle Clemon, McWane Industries
- Achieving Safety and Health Excellence–Being in the Top Five Most Dangerous Industries is Nothing to Brag About, Ed Foulke, Fisher & Phillips
Special events include a tour of the MCAS Miramar, which is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing of the U.S. Marine Corps, known as “America’s 9-1-1 Force.” Guests will view combat-tested aircraft as part of the tour of the flight line. Active duty Marines will introduce guests to the Marine Corps aviators. To take advantage of the MCAS tour, you must register by Sept. 1.
For more information or to register for the 2009 Executive Conference, visit www.afsinc.org/events or contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237.
CMI Launches New E-Learning Website
The Cast Metals Institute (CMI) is expanding internet course availability through a new website http://castmetalselearning.com. Although full length internet versions of some of the most popular courses will continue to be offered, these new programs are much shorter in length and are geared toward specific topics.
These new on-demand courses are immediately available to start as soon as you register. The courses consist of PowerPoint based presentations narrated by industry experts, with assessments to check comprehension. PDF copies of the presentations can be downloaded, and users can print out their certificate of completion after passing the course. Classes available now are Hazard Communication Training, Defects Related to Gating & Riser Design and U.S. Metalcasting: Competing Globally.
Detailed information about these courses can be found on the CMI website (www.castmetals.com) by clicking on the course registration tab and choosing on-demand courses. New topics will be added continually, so visit the site often to see the latest offerings. For questions regarding internet courses, contact Jennifer Head, CMI course coordinator, at 800/537-4237 x244 or jhead@afsinc.org.
Aurora Casting Joins Video Library
The newest virtual tour on the MODERN CASTING website (www.moderncasting.com) explores the facilities of Aurora Casting and Engineering Inc., Santa Paula, Calif.
Complete with voiceover describing images of the melt shop and finishing room, the new tour joins U.S. Aluminum Castings, AlumAlloy Co. Inc. and Corbitt Manufacturing Co. in the library of plant videos.
With approximately one facility tour added per month, the videos are designed to take you inside the nation’s metalcasting facilities and show you what everyone else in the industry is up to. Click over to www.moderncasting.com, and come along as our editors continue to tour the industry.
Control Energy Costs: Learn How Through Webinars
Energy costs have increased significantly in recent years, and forecasts indicate that market forces and government policies could lead to an explosion of energy costs. The profitability of the individual metalcasting facility is at risk, and managers must act now to begin to control this risk. To help assure future profits, every metalcasting facility should pay close attention to what is happening in energy markets and immediately begin to measure, monitor and reduce energy consumption.
In an effort to keep the metalcasting industry abreast of the latest energy developments and savings opportunities, AFS is producing an energy webinar series. These web-based seminars will provide practical, shop-floor advice and metalcasting case studies to demonstrate energy cost reductions. This week's webinars will focus on controlling melting costs. Thursday's sessions will include nonferrous metals. For more information, or to register for the webinars, contact Rebecca Erickson, AFS technical assistant, at 800/537-4237 x246 or rebecca@afsinc.org.
CMI Offers Analysis of Casting Defects Internet Course
CMI will be offering an Analysis of Casting Defects internet course July 6-Aug. 2. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand and characterize casting defects related to green sand molding, chemically bonded
mold/core sands, molten metal and gating and risering design, understand and identify the probable causes of defective castings and determine and implement solutions that minimize or eliminate the defects.
For more information or to register for this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here.
