. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inDustry neWs
Aesir Metals Opens Lost Foam Plant Aesir Metals LLC, Struthers, Ohio, recently completed the
renovation of a new 5,000-sq.-ft. metalcasting facility and ex- pects to begin producing lost foam castings in January 2010. Aesir announced it has signed a lease with the Castlo
Industrial Park in Struthers, closed on its start-up funding and is in the process of acquiring the necessary equipment to begin casting. According to Mark DeBruin, the company’s operations manager, Aesir will focus on the prototype mar- ket, first producing parts in gray, ductile and austempered ductile iron and later adding nonferrous capabilities. “I heard a while ago that the best time to open a plant
is the last day of a recession,” DeBruin said. “The indica- tors are that we are coming out. Quite a few [metalcasting facilities] have idled or shut down, so there is a large need for new facilities when the economy rebounds.” According to its website, Aesir will be capable of pro-
ducing castings up to 800 lbs. The website also indicated the company will be capable of five-day turnarounds and tolerances of 0.003-in. “In lost foam, you can get very close tolerances,” De- Bruin said. Debruin said the company already has won some busi-
ness and will focus on growing its customer base in the heavy machinery, agricultural, off-road truck and heavy industry markets.
Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. Wins OSHA Award
Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co., Provo, Utah, recently
received a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Merit status flag from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in recognition of its health and safety achievements. The ductile iron pipe casting facility, a subsidiary of
McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., received the award during a ceremony on Oct. 21. The event featured commentary from John Balian, the plant’s general manager, Scott Jarvis, plant manager, Barb Wisniewski, vice president of health and safety, and several individuals from both the community and the Utah branch of OSHA. Jeff Willman, group safety director, served as master of ceremonies. The VPP designation is OSHA’s recognition for worksites
that demonstrate exemplary safety and health programs and have developed employee involvement and management commitment. “The cooperative effort between the employees and man-
agement was actually demonstrated multiple times during the day, from the group who assembled all the tables and chairs for the luncheon to those employees who volunteered to cook the steaks which were provided for lunch,” said Mickie Coggin, a McWane spokesperson. Other McWane facilities that have achieved OSHA
VPP status include Manchester Tank-Elkhart (VPP Star), Tyler Coupling Marshfield (VPP Merit), Clow Valve Metal Casting Facility (VPP Star) and Clow Valve Machine Shop (VPP Merit).
METAL 12 Metal Casting Design & PurChasing January/February 2010 METAL
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