News for 2013

May 2013

 SHOW NEWS

• 

  05.20.13: Casting Industry Speaks Out in D.C.

  Metalcasters spread their message to the U.S. Congress at the 2013 AFS Government Affairs Conference, held May 1-3, in Washington, D.C. This year, Congress and the White House have announced plans to focus on deficit reduction, a revised ozone rule, a crystalline silica regulation, combustible dust, an overhaul of the tax code and a wide variety of EPA and workplace rules.

• 

  05.17.13: Kobe Aluminum to Expand in Kentucky

  Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products, Bowling Green, Ky., is planning to spend $66 million on equipment and additional space.

• 

  05.16.13: AFS Energy Committee Revitalized

  The American Foundry Society’s Energy Committee, Division 1-G, held a meeting March 19 with 20 people in attendance.

• 

  05.15.13: Work Program Offers Avenue to Skilled Workers

  The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute are partnering for Get Skills to Work, a program to encourage transitioning military personnel and recent veterans to consider manufacturing careers.

• 

  05.14.13: AFS Developing SharePoint Training

  The AFS Technical Department is developing updated training for SharePoint, a resource used by committee members to share documents and stay updated on committee happenings.

• 

  05.14.13: GM Casting Facility Hosts Student Program

  More than 150 young women from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio recently visited GM’s Defiance Casting Operations in Defiance, Ohio, to participate in the sixth annual “Get WISE (women in science and engineering)” program.

• 

  05.14.13: White House Announces Two New DOD Manufacturing Institutes

  Two newly announced U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) institute technology focus areas are Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI) and Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation (LM3I).

• 

  05.14.13: iFab to build DARPA’s FANG Challenge Award Winning Design

  The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a $1 million prize to “Ground Systems,” a three-person team with members in Ohio, Texas and California, as the winner of its Fast Adaptable Next-Generation Ground Vehicle (FANG) Mobility/Drivetrain Challenge.

• 

  05.13.13: Calco Enters Ag Market

  As part of a new product development process that began in 2011, The C.A. Lawton Co. (Calco), De Pere, Wis., has completed qualification and is now in full production for its first major agricultural equipment manufacturing customer.

• 

  05.09.13: Stainless Foundry and Engineering Selects Odyssey

  Stainless Foundry & Engineering Inc., Milwaukee, selected B&L’s Odyssey product to support its business operations.

• 

  05.09.13: Synchro ERP Donates to Scholarship Fund

  Synchro ERP, developer of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software specific to the cast metals industry, recently donated $1,000 to the AFS Texas Chapter scholarship fundraiser.

• 

  05.07.13: AFS/FEF Announce Student Technology Contest Winners

  The American Foundry Society (AFS) in conjunction with the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) honored the winners of the 2013 Student Technology Contest at the AFS Central Indiana Chapter meeting on April 16.

• 

  05.03.13: Oberdorfer Delays Plant Closing

  Oberdorfer LLC, Syracuse, N.Y., a subsidiary of Advanced Metals Group LLC, has delayed the closing of its aluminum casting facility.

• 

  05.02.13: Warning Letters Sent to Workplaces With Above-Average Illness and Injury Rates

  One hundred fifty letters were sent to U.S. metalcasting facilities.

• 

  05.01.13: PSU Receives Donated MPI Wax Injector

  MPI Inc., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., has donated a 25-ton wax injector to the manufacturing program at Pittsburg State University (PSU), Pittsburg, Kan. The new machine is being installed in the metalcasting lab at the Kansas Technology Center.

• 

  05.01.13: Cast-Fab to Supply Large Defense Castings

  Cast-Fab expects to produce more than 12,000 tons of iron over the length of the project. The project details are confidential.

• 

  05.01.13: Armstrong Mold Acquires Ultracast

  On April 15, Armstrong Mold Corp., Syracuse, N.Y., acquired the assets of Ultracast, Enfield, Conn., a division of world-wide specialty manufacturing company Sanders Industries.

April 2013

 SHOW NEWS

• 

  04.30.13: Chassix, Formerly SMW and DMI, Makes Global Debut

  Chassix, Troy, Mich., has launched as a single integrated source for precision chassis casting and machining solutions. It was formed following Platinum Equity’s purchase and subsequent integration of DMI and SMW, resulting in the creation of a $1.2 billion global automotive supplier.

• 

  04.30.13: Alupress AG to open new U.S. plant in 2014

  Alupress AG, South Tyrol, Italy, has announced plans to establish a new 30,000-sq.-ft. aluminum casting production facility in Laurens County, South Carolina.

• 

  04.29.13: Morel Recognized Among State Manufacturing Leaders

  The firm was honored among 20 top manufacturers in the state at the Washington Manufacturing Awards.

• 

  04.29.13: Grede Foundry of New Castle Receives Award

  Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development program WorkOne has given an Achievement Award to Grede Foundry, New Castle, Ind.

• 

  04.25.13: US Castings Attains Quality Recognition

  Truck manufacturer PACCAR, Bellevue, Wash., has recognized US Castings LLC, Entiat, Wash., for achieving 50 parts per million or better quality.

• 

  04.25.13: University of Alabama Opens Metalcasting Facility

  The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., has opened a new facility to encourage creative collaboration between engineering and art students.

• 

  04.25.13: Spartan Receives Supplier Award

  Spartan Light Metal Products, a supplier of aluminum and magnesium custom die castings was recognized as an Excellent Quality Performance Award winner at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.’s (TEMA) Annual Supplier Business Meeting (ABM)

• 

  04.25.13: Clinkenbeard Adds Five-Axis CNC Machining

  Continued growth at Clinkenbeard, Rockford, Ill., has resulted in continued expansion with the addition of a new five-axis CNC machine

• 

  04.25.13: Bell Foundry Company Earns Recertification

  Bell Foundry Company - Machine Shop, South Gate, Calif. was recertified to ISO 9001:2008 by Perry Johnson Registrars Inc. on April 2, 2013.

• 

  04.23.13: 2013 Metalcasting Wage Survey Available

  AFS 2013 Survey of Wages and Economic Benefits report is now available for purchase via download or print copy.

• 

  04.23.13: O’Fallon Casting Wins AFS/Metalcasting Design & Purchasing Casting Competition

  AFS and its publication Metal Casting Design & Purchasing magazine announced O’Fallon Casting, O’Fallon, Mo., as the winner of the 2013 Casting Competition. The metalcaster won with its electronics housing produced for the defense industry.

• 

  04.19.13: Sea Scouts Learn About Metalcasting

  AFS recently donated the use of its Foundry in a Box kit to introduce metalcasting to a division of Boy Scouts of America.

• 

  04.19.13: Destination: Capitol Hill for the 2013 Government Affairs Conference

  It’s not too late to make plans to attend the 2013 Government Affairs Conference, Washington D.C., May 1-3.

• 

  04.18.13: Michigan Metalcasting Facility Damaged in Fire

  A fire recently caused reportedly $2.5 million in damage to the Holland Alloys metalcasting facility in Holland Township, Mich.

• 

  04.17.13: Hunter Sells Machine to Swedish Iron Caster

  Hunter, Schaumburg, Ill., has announced the sale of an XL 2430 molding machine to Skeppshult Gjuteri AB, a cast iron foundry in Skeppshult, Sweden.

• 

  04.17.13: AFS and Its Publications Unveil MCTV at CastExpo'13

  The American Foundry Society (AFS) launched MCTV on April 5 to coincide with CastExpo’13—the industry’s largest gathering of metalcasters in North America. MCTV is a portal website featuring short videos produced specifically for the metalcasting industry.

• 

  04.16.13: Metalcasting Industry Comes Alive at CastExpo’13

  The American Foundry Society (AFS) hosted CastExpo’13 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, April 6-9. The event featured more than 450 exhibitors on a sold-out show floor and various technical presentations as part of its Metalcasting Congress and a Metalcasting Technology Theatre on the show floor. A total of 7,192 metalcasters attended CastExpo’13.

• 

  04.10.13: Hunter Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Launches New Name

  President and CEO Bill Hunter announced the company’s new name: Hunter Foundry Machinery Corp. at CastExpo’13, held this week at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo.

• 

  04.10.13: GE to Acquire Lufkin Industries

  GE, Houston, and Lufkin Industries Inc., Lufkin, Texas, have announced a joint agreement whereby GE will acquire Lufkin Industries Inc., a leading provider of artificial lift technologies for the oil and gas industry and a manufacturer of industrial gears, for approximately $3.3 billion.

• 

  04.05.13: Dr. Pradeep Rohatgi receives 2013 Fellow Award from MRS

  The award is in recognition of his sustained leadership in research on solidification synthesis and characterization of metal matrix composites, pioneering initiatives in technology and product development, education, materials policy, and institution building.

• 

  04.05.13: GM Invests $332 Million for New Fuel-Efficient Powertrains

  Since 2009, GM has announced nearly $1.8 billion in investments for the six Powertrain facilities.

• 

  04.03.13: Delaware Dynamics Plans Expansion

  Die casting provider Delaware Dynamics, Muncie, Ind., has announced plans to expand.

• 

  04.03.13: Manufacturing Scholarship Program Offers Full Tuition

  The University of Phoenix and the Manufacturing Institute have combined efforts to offer 10 full tuition scholarship

• 

  04.03.13: AFS: Debates Lowering Silica PEL

  The American Foundry Society recently met with officials from the U.S. OSHA and the Office of Management and Budget to discuss updates to the silica rule.

• 

  04.03.13: Museum Adds Foundry Kit to Its Collection

  Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry recently purchased a Foundry in a Box kit from AFS.

• 

  04.01.13: Attention Metalcasters: Update Your Listing

  Metal Casting Design & Purchasing magazine, an AFS publication, is encouraging metalcasters to update their free listing in the annual Casting Source Directory.

March 2013

 SHOW NEWS

• 

  03.26.13: StrikoWestofen Group Has New Ownership

  Munich-based Auctus Capital Partners AG has acquired the majority share in the StrikoWestofen Group.

• 

  03.26.13: Alfe Heat Treating of Charlotte Receives TS16949 Certification

  Alfe Heat Treating’s Charlotte, N.C., ferrous heat-treating plant has achieved TS16949 Certification, allowing it to be a direct, tier-one supplier to the automotive industry.

• 

  03.26.13: Alfe Signs Multiyear Contract With Big Three Automotive Manufacturer

  Aluminum heat treater Alfe Heat Treating, Saginaw, Mich., has closed a deal with a major automotive manufacturer to heat treat V6 engines at its Saginaw operations plant.

• 

  03.22.13: Waupaca Foundry Earns Community Awards

  The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce has named Waupaca Foundry Inc., Waupaca, Wis., “Large Business of the Year” for 2013.

• 

  03.21.13: House Republicans Introduce Resolution Opposing Carbon Tax

  U.S. House members unveiled a resolution on March 13 declaring a proposed carbon tax a threat to the economy.

• 

  03.19.13: U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Donning/Doffing Safety Gear Case

  The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether workers should be paid for their time donning and doffing protective safety gear.

• 

  03.19.13: Grede Plants in Mexico To Use Odyssey ERP

  Enterprise resource planning software provider B&L Information Systems, Bridgman, Mich. announces the project kick-off for several Grede Holdings metalcasting facilities in Mexico.

• 

  03.19.13: Pennsylvania Metalcasting Facility to Close in May

  Railroad products manufacturer McConway & Torley LLC will close its 144-year-old Kutztown, Pa., plant and lay off 130 workers on May 5, 2013, according to a filing with the state Department of Labor & Industry.

• 

  03.18.13: House Expected to Vote on Keystone XL Pipeline Bill Prior to Memorial Day

  Bipartisan legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and the various environmental reviews using Congress' power under the Commerce Clause was introduced on March 15.

• 

  03.13.13: Vote for Keystone XL Approval

  The U.S. State Department recently issued a report Friday that TransCanada’s plans to build a 1,700-mile pipeline, known as Keystone XL, from Canada through the U.S., would not have a huge impact on the climate.

• 

  03.13.13: AFS Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter Hosts Student Night

  The AFS Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter held its annual student night in February, where three engineering students from Penn State Erie-The Behrend College had the opportunity to present their senior projects.

• 

  03.12.13: Hunter Appoints Fitzgerald as COO

  Hunter Automated Machinery Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., has promoted Jim Fitzgerald to the newly created position of COO.

• 

  03.11.13: Empire Systems, Clansman Dynamics team up in U.S.

  Empire Systems Inc., Avon Lake, Ohio, and Clansman Dynamics Ltd., Scotland, have formed a sales partnership in the United States.

• 

  03.07.13: Hypertherm Opens New Plant in N.H.

  Cutting systems manufacturer Hypertherm, Lebanon, N.H., has opened a new 160,000-sq.-ft. facility in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The additional manufacturing space is expected to create up to 500 new jobs, including advanced machinist and engineering positions.

• 

  03.06.13: High School Program Brings Metalcasting to GEMS

  Magma Foundry Technologies Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., participated in the 2013 GEMS (girls in engineering, mathematics and science) conference for 5th and 6th graders held February 9 at Conant High School.

• 

  03.06.13: Aleazin to Install Inductotherm Cathode Melting Furnace

  Aleazin S.A. de C.V., a division of Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V., has awarded an order to Inductotherm Corp. for a new 60 metric ton cathode melting furnace project for its plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

• 

  03.05.13: Chrysler Group Invests in Indiana Casting Facility

  Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills, Mich., has announced plans to invest nearly $374 million to boost transmission production and add approximately 1,250 new jobs in north-central Indiana, making it the largest transmission installation in the world.

• 

  03.05.13: Superior Industries Plans New Plant in Mexico

  Alloy wheel supplier Superior Industries International Inc., Van Nuys, Calif., reportedly plans to build a $125 million plant in Mexico to help boost its North American business.

• 

  03.05.13: Russia-based Kluchevsky Becomes Shareholder in F.W. Winter

  Kluchevsky Ferro-Alloy Plant, Russia, a producer of aluminothermic chromium metal, extra low carbon ferrochrome and other ferroalloys, has become a shareholder in the F.W. Winter Inc. & Co., Camden, N.J., a manufacturer of metal and alloy powders.

• 

  03.05.13: Dynacast Adds Metal Injection Molding

  Dynacast International, Elgin, Ill., is reportedly adding metal injection molding (MIM) to its service offerings. This expands its ability to produce small, complex components using a wider variety of metals.

• 

  03.05.13: Army Names RIA-JMTC a Center of Excellence

  Secretary of the Army John McHugh has designated Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC), Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., as a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Foundry operations.

• 

  03.05.13: Report: Carbon Tax Could Raise Energy Costs and Reduce Output

  NAM recently released a study by the NERA Economic Consulting showing the effects of a carbon tax on the manufacturing industry.

• 

  03.01.13: Combustible Dust Legislation Reintroduced in House

  A bill that would force OSHA to issue interim rules addressing combustible dust hazards was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• 

  03.01.13: Occupational Safety and Health Act Reintroduced in Congress

  A measure amending the Occupational Safety and Health Act by expanding its coverage, increasing whistleblower protections and significantly enhancing employer civil and criminal penalties for violations is expected to be reintroduced in the U.S. Congress soon.

• 

  03.01.13: KPS Capital Partners Completes Waupaca Foundry Recapitalization

  Following the recapitalization, the Waupaca, Wis.-based gray and ductile iron casting producer remains conservatively capitalized and will have the continued support of KPS

February 2013

 SHOW NEWS

• 

  02.26.13: Energy Committee Invites New Members

  AFS's Energy Committee (1-G) is inviting new members to its webinar meeting.

• 

  02.26.13: Enforcement Alert: EPA Region V for Air Regulations, Including NSPS Subpart UUU

  EPA Region V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, has undertaken an enforcement initiative that is focused on air compliance in metalcasting facilities.

• 

  02.25.13: AFS Piedmont Chapter Awards $10,500

  The AFS Piedmont Chapter awarded a total of $10,500 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students

• 

  02.20.13: Western Michigan Chapter Hosts Student Night

  The AFS West Michigan chapter hosted its annual student night Tuesday, Feb. 12

• 

  02.19.13: CastExpo’13 Mobile App Launched

  AFS has launched an app for CastExpo’13, the largest metalcasting industry event of 2013, to be held April 6-9 at America’s Center in St. Louis.

• 

  02.18.13: Glidewell Specialties Foundry Celebrates 50 Years

  Aaron S. Glidewell founded the company in 1962.

• 

  02.18.13: Oberdorfer Aluminum Casting Facility to Close

  The company has been in business for more than a century and cited the economic impact of the recession.

• 

  02.18.13: Andritz Relaunches HiTEQ Furnace Line

  With its recent acquisition of Bricmont, Andritz, Canonsburg, Pa., received the intellectual property rights for the HiTEQ furnace line.

• 

  02.18.13: AFS Member Testifies Before House Committee

  AFS member Eric Meyers, testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce Committee on the importance of metalcasting and the need for pro-growth policies.

• 

  02.14.13: AFS Safety Award Winners Announced

  AFS has announced the 2012 winners of the Millionaires Safety Award and Metalcasting Safe Year Award.

• 

  02.14.13: Aluminum Conference Call for Papers

  AFS has issued a call for papers for its conference on Post Casting Processing of Aluminum Castings, to be held Oct. 23-24 in Indianapolis.

• 

  02.13.13: Engineering Student Develops Corrosion Mobile App

  University of Toronto engineering student Jason Tam developed an iPhone app, Corrosion, which provides corrosion terminologies, formulae and benchmarking data.

• 

  02.13.13: Grede Castings Feature Among Automotive Award Winners

  Grede Holdings LLC, Southfield, Mich., has cast components featured in the Cadillac ATS and Ram 1500, both 2013 winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) Awards.

• 

  02.13.13: Messe Düsseldorf To Promote Metalcasting Trade Fairs at CastExpo’13

  Messe Düsseldorf, Chicago, will participate in CastExpo’13 (booth 867) to promote its international metalcasting trade fairs including GIFA 2015, the 13th International Foundry Trade Fair with WFO Technical Forum, and NEWCAST 2015, the 4th International Trade Fair for Precision Castings.

• 

  02.13.13: Mohawk College Foundry Donates Surplus Proceeds to FEF Scholarships

  FL Sales Inc. presented a check to Dana Coulombe for $76,495.00 at the Canmet Facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, toward scholarships awarded through the Foundry Educational Foundation.

• 

  02.04.13: Attendee Registration for CastExpo'13 Is Open

  CastExpo’13 online registration is now open for exhibitors and attendees.

• 

  02.04.13: AFS Announces Top Award Winners

  The American Foundry Society has announced the winners of the 2013 Awards of Scientific Merit and Service Citations.

• 

  02.04.13: AFS Joins with Reshoring Initiative

  AFS has recently joined forces with the Reshoring Initiative as a Bronze-Level Sponsor.

January 2013

 SHOW NEWS

• 

  01.31.13: Clinkenbeard Receives U.S. Department of State ITAR Recertification

  Clinkenbeard, Rockford, Ill., has received official International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) recertification from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

• 

  01.29.13: Applied Process Hosts First AP University

  More than 30 designers and engineers studied how austempered ductile iron (ADI) could work in their manufacturing operations.

• 

  01.29.13: B&L Information Systems Awards Scholarship

  B&L Information Systems, Bridgman, Mich., has awarded the 2013 Dick Laney Memorial Scholarship to Shannon Carlson.

• 

  01.25.13: StrikoWestofen Group Secures Aluminum Auto Order

  StrikoWestofen Group, Zeeland, Mich., has won a new, large automotive order for a U.S. carmaker’s plant near Mexico City.

• 

  01.25.13: US Holdings Launches Eagle Manufacturing Brand

  US Holdings Inc., Miami, has announced a new name for its holding group, Eagle Manufacturing Group.

• 

  01.25.13: A Finkl & Sons Operating in New Facility

  The A. Finkl & Sons Co. is phasing out its century-old Chicago plant and operating a new facility on the city’s South Side, at 1355 E. 93rd St.

• 

  01.22.13: EPA Tightens PM2.5 Air Standards Rules

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its rule tightening the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

• 

  01.22.13: OSHA Publishes 2013 Regulatory Agenda

  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration released its long-awaited semiannual regulatory agenda for 2013 just before the holidays.

• 

  01.22.13: Metalcasters Honored in STEP Awards for Women in Manufacturing

  The Manufacturing Institute, in a partnership with Deloitte, the University of Phoenix and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, recently announced winners of the 2013 STEP Awards.

• 

  01.21.13: OSHA Releases Details on Inspection for High Injury/Illness Rate Employers

  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently released its Site-Specific Targeting 2012 (SST-12) program

• 

  01.17.13: Alfe Heat Treating Donates $5,000 to Indiana’s IPFW

  Alfe Heat Treating, Fort Wayne, Ind., has made a $5,000 donation to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The company gave $2,500 to the College of Engineering and $2,500 to the Doermer School of Business.

• 

  01.17.13: GE Aviation Forms Joint Venture with SeaCast

  GE Aviation, Cincinnati, and SeaCast Inc., Marysville, Wash., have established a 50/50 joint venture, Montana Precision Products, to produce jet engine components at SeaCast's facility in Butte, Mont.

• 

  01.17.13: Consolidated Precision Completes Turbine Technologies Acquisition

  Consolidated Precision Products Corp. (CPP), Pomona, Calif., has successfully closed on its previously announced definitive agreement to acquire Turbine Technologies Group from ESCO Corp.

• 

  01.14.13: Calco, Centerline Machining & Grinding Team Up

  The C.A. Lawton Co. (Calco), De Pere, Wis., has formed a joint venture with Centerline Machining & Grinding Inc., Hobart, Wis. This new partnership, to be known as Centerline Machining & Grinding, LLC, consists of Centerline’s assets and operations as well as contributions of capital and equipment from Calco.