US Challenges China On Export Duties for Key Raw Materials

On July 13, 2016, the U.S. launched a trade enforcement action against China’s export duties on nine key metals and minerals at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to the office of the U.S Trade Representative (USTR), China has kept export duties from 5 to 20 percent on antimony…

Ryobi Limited Plans Expansion, New Jobs for Indiana Facility

Japanese company Ryobi Limited announced plans to invest $97.5 million and add up to 150 new employees for its facility in Shelbyville, Indiana.

According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Ryobi Limited is planning to buy a 350,000 sq. ft. building next to Ryobi Die Casting USA, its…

OSHA Penalties to Increase Significantly on August 1

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) maximum penalties are set to rise by 78% as part of the federal penalty adjustments mandated by Congress and signed into law last year. OSHA’s maximum penalties have not increased in 25 years.  

On August 1, OSHA’s new…

Rane (Madras) Planning to Invest $5.8 Million in Kentucky Facility

Rane (Madras), Chennai, India, is planning to invest $5.8 million into Precision Die Casting, Russellville, Kentucky, which it purchased in February. The investment is expected to preserve 170 jobs at the plant, which is a supplier to the automotive industry.
Kentucky governor Matt Bevin made…

House Approves AFS Supported Bill to Delay and Modify Ozone Rules

In June, the U.S House of Representatives approved a bill that would delay implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2015 ozone rule. The measure, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act (H.R. 4775), adjusts the implementation timelines for the new ozone standard until…

AFS Issues Call for Papers for 121st Metalcasting Congress

The American Foundry Society (AFS) has issued a call for papers for its 121st Metalcasting Congress held April 25-27 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.

AFS is seeking papers covering all issues relating to metalcasting, diecasting and foundry management and operations, including…

Consolidated Purchases Two Facilities in Poland

Consolidated Precision Products Corp., Cleveland, a manufacturer of engineered components and subassemblies primarily for the commercial aerospace and defense markets, announced it has completed its acquisition of two casting facilities from Pratt & Whitney Rzeszów S.A., a business unit of…

Proposed Rules from U.S. Department of Treasury Could Harm Manufacturers

Proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, under Section 385 by the U.S. Treasury Department, would give the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) broad latitude to unilaterally treat a company’s related party debt as equity, overturning longstanding tax policy and well-established case law.

The…

AFS Is Project Partner in Newest Manufacturing Innovation Institute

A new Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute has been announced by the White House to support advanced manufacturing in the U.S. Led by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC), the new Institute will spur advances in smart sensors and digital…

AFS Discusses Copper Castings at American Water Works

Members of the AFS Copper Alloy Division provided a presentation on no-lead copper alloy casting for the recent American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE16) on June 22 in Chicago. The Copper Alloy Division highlighted the various low-lead and no-lead alloys…