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INDUSTRY NEWS


Acra Cast Remodels Testing Laboratory, Adds Employees Investment caster Acra Cast, Bay


City, Mich., has upgraded its in-house laboratory and grown employment numbers almost to their pre-recession levels, according to a company executive. Richard Singer, Acra Cast’s presi- dent and owner, said the company has spent $70,000 on improving its labo- ratory testing facilities, including the addition of a new spectrometer, and now employs 18, up from a low of 11. “We’re on the incline again, which


is positive news,” Singer said. In addition to purchasing the new


spectrometer, the company has im- proved its lab by moving its air com- pressors outdoors, creating a dedicated modular space with new plumbing and electrical lines, and upgrading the facility’s doors and ceiling to make it more airtight and reduce dust. Te company can now test incoming melt stock, verify chemistries are correct through in-process metallurgical tests and self-certify alloy chemistries prior to shipping. “We’re probably shaving three to


four days off of each shipment by do- ing the testing in-house,” Singer said. According to Singer, Acra Cast has


seen a growing number of defense contracts since he and his father purchased the facility in 1998. Singer estimates the company’s customer list has gone from 10% defense to 60% defense since that time. “Tat was one of the drivers for


investing in the spectrometer,” he said. Singer said Acra Cast is also in


QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS Te following metalcasting organization has passed a recent


certification audit: Buck Company, Quarryville, Pa. (ISO 9001:2008); City Aluminum Foundry,


Waterford, Mich. (ISO 9001:2008); Florida Machine and Casting


Co., West Palm Beach, Fla. (ISO 9001:2008).


March 2011 MODERN CASTING | 13


the process of examining a potential expansion of the facility as part of its long-term growth plan, which may also include the installation of a robotic dipping line.


“Tere is vacant land adjacent to us


that we’re currently having surveyed,” he said. “Te owners have expressed a willingness to sell it, and the ball’s in our court.”


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