Inside ICI


DoD Casting and Forging Supply Chain - A Strategic Road Mapping Event


astings and forgings are critical elements of modern weapon and military support systems, and are an essential part of the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain.


C Economic development over


the past several decades has resulted in an erosion of the size and capability of this supply chain for products needed to support the domestic economy in both the commercial and military Additionally,


sectors. DoD requirements,


acquisition policies and practices have posed additional challenges for the industry in meeting the US Military’s rising demand on a timely basis. In response to this nation’s growing need for military components and the escalating challenges confronting DoD suppliers, the Steel Founders’ Society of America (SFSA) hosted a road mapping session in Chicago, Illinois, on November 8th and 9th. Among the attendees were representatives from the DoD, casting suppliers, forging suppliers, OEMS and trade organizations, including the ICI. The focus of this strategic session


was to consider how the industry can best move forward in conjunction with changes in DoD procurement logistics, thus enabling the supply base to fulfill military casting and forging orders on a timely basis. During the first day of the session,


challenges confronting suppliers and the DoD were highlighted and potential solutions were offered for further discussion and consideration. The lack of timely response to supplier inquiries was a common concern, as well as enhancing the industry’s capacity and capabilities. Issues were raised over the use of 2D drawing in a 3D manufacturing environment, the need for automation funding to keep the domestic production base intact and the need for a solution to the ongoing labor crisis.


Breakout sessions were conducted on the second day of the program. Two


10 ❘ November 2022 ®


of the three sessions were attended by ICI representatives.


Bob Johnson,


Shellcast President and ICI Board member, attended the breakout session hosted by the US Army, and Executive Director Joseph Fritz, along with Jerry Thiel (University of Northern Iowa) and Don Deptowicz (ICI Individual Member) attended the session conducted by the Defense Logistics Agency, which addressed


and other general concerns including workforce.


Air Force Procurement The third session, which


addressed Naval hardware, was heavily focused on forgings. The breakout sessions resulted in


a deeper dive into the issues raised a day earlier, as well as highlighting other areas of potential improvement. At the end of the day, each team provided a report, detailing concerns expressed and possible resolutions.


approach the DoD on the establishment of a program providing a pathway to US citizenship. Roy challenged the trade associations to petition the DoD to take such action, as there is a growing need for direct labor, which in many cases has created a capacity constraint. The assertion that foundry capacity


isn’t available was also shown to be driven by OEM Contractors that have substituted capacity availability for lead times. It was agreed that in some cases the OEM folks are simply using the claim of supplier capacity as a catch-all for missed deliveries. DoD and TACOM representatives agreed that we all need to be on the same page. The ICI, in conjunction with the American metalcasting and


other North trade


Action items


were compiled by Raymond Monroe, Executive Vice President for SFSA, and follow up is planned over the next three months.


Of particular interest to the industry


was a suggestion posed by Walter Roy, a consultant with the US Army, as it pertains to workforce development. He noted that in light of the low unemployment rate and the growing number of immigrants workers, it would be beneficial to the industry to


associations their forging


counterparts, will be addressing this in the coming months. In support of this initiative, ICI Members will be surveyed in the coming weeks to better ascertain an understanding of the need for additional direct labor and its anticipated effect on production output. The ICI thanks the Steel Founders’ of America for


Society coordinating


this event and looks forward to working together to affect a favorable outcome in addressing the challenges facing the metal forming industry and DoD procurement.


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