Schaumburg, IL: The American Foundry Society, North America’s largest metalcasting professional society and trade association, released quarterly survey results showing increasing economic optimism.
Fully 72% of responding foundries described their economic outlook for 2026 as positive whereas only 14% described it as negative. More than half of the respondents indicated casting sales have increased in the past 90 days, while only 20% have seen a decline.
“Factors contributing appreciably to the growing economic optimism,” said AFS CEO Doug Kurkul, “include the AFS-backed 2025 tax bill which encourages capital investment, along with increased infrastructure investment stemming from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill, productivity growth, and defense spending. The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ alone will add 0.9% to GDP growth this year, according to the Congressional Budget Office.”
In January, AFS projected casting sales will grow by 4.2% in 2026, with 52% of the growth coming from pricing adjustments and 48% coming from tonnage increases. AFS will provide its Corporate Members with an updated mid-year Forecast & Trends document again in July.
The casting industry still faces considerable challenges. Survey respondents cited inflation (in areas including energy, health care, insurance and materials) as well as worker shortages and lingering concerns about demand for castings among their top challenges. With 95% of foundries making capital investments in 2026, it is further evidence of the industry’s resilience in the face of significant challenges.
To see a summary of the Quarterly Metalcasters Outlook Survey for the first quarter, click here.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $51 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at AFSinc.org.