Inside ICI


(Above L-R) Joseph E. Fritz, Investment Casting Institute; Esmerlin Candelo, Art & Sculpture Unlimited; Sam Duncan, Ransom & Randolph; Earl Robinson III, Cannon-Muskegon Corporation; Robert Wartella, Remet® Erich Knoespel, Artcast, Inc.; Lazaro Valdes, Art & Sculpture Unlimited.


Regional Meeting Held at Art & Sculpture Unlimited, Made to Feel Like Family


By Joseph E. Fritz, Executive Director, Investment Casting Institute T


he ICI recently conducted a regional meeting in Miami, Florida. This was a new and unique


experience, not because of the location, but because of the foundry tour. You see, our host facility was an art foundry, Art Sculpture Unlimited, or ASU for short. Like all ICI meetings, the event


started with a continental breakfast followed by a review of the ICI Mission Statement and Antitrust Policy. Then we went onto our morning speakers. Our speakers were Sam Duncan


of Ransom & Randolph, Tim Wolff of Paramelt, Matt Abbey of VA Technologies and Erich Knoespel of Artcast. Discussions addressed a variety of foundry processes from wax to finishing, with a special presentation addressing the differences between an art and a commercial foundry. After lunch, Esmerlin Candelo, ASU


4 ❘ March 2020 ®


manager, delivered a presentation on the history of ASU, citing the insight and creativity of Lazaro Valdes, her husband and company founder, who recognized the need for an art foundry in Miami. A family run operation since


inception, Lazaro and his father worked hard to realize their dreams. The company grew in the number of workers as well in the number of artworks produced and recently moved its operations to a new facility, the very foundry that the group toured. Made to feel like family from the


start, the tour began with a shot of Cuban coffee and a warm welcome. Then onward to the facility, where


not only did we see the standard elements of our process, but we also saw a number of other technologies not often witnessed in a foundry.


By the end of the day, each of us felt


like we were part of something special. We were not only treated like family, but each of us were assured that we were always welcome at ASU. The ICI extends its heartfelt gratitude


to Esmerlin and Lazaro, not only for hosting this event, but for sponsoring it as well. Thank you Art & Sculpture Unlimited.


There are several ways that Members can participate:


Interested in our regional meetings? If you are a foundry


Member, you can host an event. If


you are a supplier member, you can either sponsor an event or present an educational topic at one. Contact Barbara Tiseo at 201-573-9770 to find out how you and your business can make a significant contribution to our industry through Regional Meeting participation.


Corporation; Marcus Knoespel, Artcast, Inc.;


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