AFS NEWS AFS Looks Forward to Working With New President and
Congress on Metalcasting Issues AFS is looking forward to working with the new
President, administration, and Congress to advance sound public policies affecting the $28.5 billion met- alcasting industry. “The voters have spoken, and now it is time to begin
addressing our challenges,” said AFS President Jeff Cook (Eagle Alloy). “Metal castings are an integral part of 90% of manufactured goods. Metalcasters are the mainstay of national defense. All sectors of the U.S. military are reli- ant on metal castings for jet fighters, ships, tanks, trucks, weapon systems and other vital components.” “AFS will advocate regulatory policies that are based on sound science and cost-benefit analyses.,” said Doug Kurkul, AFS CEO. “In particular, we will pursue our litigation against OSHA for its misguided crystalline silica rule.” The rule will cost the industry more than $2.2 bil-
lion annually—more than 50 times OSHA’s inaccurate estimates. “Our nation’s tax system has created an uncertain environ- ment that hinders our industry’s ability to compete in the global marketplace,” said AFS Government Affairs Com- mittee Chair Brad Muller (Charlotte Pipe). “Tax reform is essential to making the United States the best place to operate and manufacture.”
AFS contends U.S. metalcasters continue to face
significant trade challenges from foreign government trade-distorting policies and practices. A more aggressive U.S. trade policy is needed to combat these practices in order to preserve and strengthen the nation’s manufac- turing base. Among other issues, AFS will encourage Congress and
the Administration to make a commitment to long-overdue investments in infrastructure. More than 30% of casting production goes into infrastructure—accounting for 3 million annual tons of castings. AFS opposes a recent Treasury Department draft reg-
ulation that would remove legitimate valuation discounts for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes which businesses have used for the past two decades. AFS also opposes EPA’s ozone regulation and Clean Power rule. Muller encouraged all metalcasting and supplier busi-
ness owners and managers to participate in the annual AFS Government Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 20-21, 2017. The event will feature brief- ings on policy issues, a luncheon with a major political speaker, and congressional visits with lawmakers and their staff. Information is available by contacting Stepha- nie Salmon at
ssalmon@afsinc.org.
AFS Accepts Proclamation From Illinois Governor, Chamber of
Commerce on Manufacturing Day On Friday, Oct. 7, AFS hosted more than 250 students
and community members at its 3rd Annual National Manu- facturing Day event. As one of 17 national sponsors, AFS hosted Foundry in a Box demonstrations, hada metalcast- ing trivia contest and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. “Across the country, hundreds of manufacturers opened their
doors on National Manufacturing Day to demonstrate modern manufacturing,” said AFS CEO Doug Kurkul. “AFS was proud to help represent the metalcasting industry in this endeavor.” In addition to Foundry in a Box, AFS utilized 3-D-printed
scratch molds for participants to make their own casting. Do- nated by the University of Northern Iowa and its Metal Casting Center, 300 scratch molds were used to provide each participant the chance to make his or her own casting to take home. General Kinematics, Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Hunter
Foundry Machinery Corp., Schaumburg, Illinois, participated with booths at the open house and answered questions about the metalcasting industry. In the metalcasting trivia portion of the event, hosted
by AFS Membership Director Leo Baran, students were given the chance to answer questions about metalcasting and win prizes.
Tis year, AFS added a microscope station, led by AFS
Director of Education Shelly Dutler, in which attendees could analyze microstructures of different metals. Finally, AFS welcomed the Illinois Chamber of
Commerce, which delivered a proclamation on behalf of Il- linois Governor Bruce Rauner, announcing October 2016 as Illinois Manufacturing Month. Rauner declared his contin- ued support for legislation to make it easier for metalcasters and small businesses to do business within the state. Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy (Schaumburg, Il- linois) joined the Manufacturing Day activities, as well, and took part in a Foundry in a Box demonstration. Coinciding with Manufacturing Day, AFS also
launched a new issue of Melting Point, a magazine focused on providing resources to teachers and students seeking to find out more about the industry, including general industry statistics, career pathways, college and scholar- ship information and multimedia tools available to help those who are performing the outreach. Te magazine and website is the first endeavor developed from the ground up solely for the purpose of reaching the youth of North America in order to inform, encourage and excite students to consider a career in metalcasting.
December 2016 MODERN CASTING | 47
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