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Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this March 4, 2008, edition:
U.S. Metalcasters to Gather in D.C., Lowest Cost Ever
Make your plans now to attend the 2008 Government Affairs Conference, which will be held April 9-11 at The Madison Hotel, Washington, D.C. Key legislative issues to be discussed at the conference include:
- Unfair Trade Practices;
- Energy/Environment: climate change legislative & its impact on metalcasting;
- HyperCast research;
- Card-check legislation;
- Paid sick leave;
- Panel discussion on OSHA enforcement & new PPE rule;
- EPA update.
The annual conference also provides U.S. metalcasters a unique opportunity to meet their Congressional representatives face-to-face, and present some of the regulatory issues that concern them the most. At this year's conference, American Foundry Society/North American Die Casting Assn. corporate members will be able to bring a colleague from the same company free of charge after the price of one admission is paid. Special room rates at The Madison Hotel are available to those who pre-register before March 19. Mention the conference when registering to receive preferential rates. For more information, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to download a brochure.
Denison's Norch to Speak Before President, Congress
Chris Norch, president of AFS Corporate Member Denison Industries, will address President Bush, Republican Congressional Committee Members and the 2008 Presidential Candidates as part of the National Republican Congressional Committee March Dinner & Tax Summit held March 12-13 in Washington D.C. In his address, Norch will focus on the metalcasting industry’s concerns about the unfair trade and currency practices utilized by China and he will ask for congressional assistance in remedying this imbalance of trade and its detrimental effects on our industry.
“This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our industry and have a captive forum to discuss our plight,” said Norch.
For more information or if you would like to attend this event, contact Norch at cnorch@denisonindustries.com or tel: 903/786-6518.
AFS Participates in World Foundry Congress
AFS recently sent staff to represent the North American metalcasting industry at the World Foundrymen Organization’s 68th World Foundry Congress held in Chennai, India, Feb. 7-10.
The theme for this year’s Congress was “Cast for Competitive Edge,” and Thomas Prucha, AFS vice president technical services, and Alfred Spada, AFS director of marketing, communications and public relations, were featured speakers. Prucha’s speech, given at the World Foundrymen Organization Technical Forum, focused on implementing the best green practices for metalcasting. Spada spoke about the state of the global industry in his keynote presentation.
The event, which was attended by participants from around the world, provided an international platform for AFS to contribute to the global metalcasting industry. “As world leaders, North American metalcasters must seize these opportunities to understand the state of the industry across the globe,” said Jerry Call, AFS executive vice president.
For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS pr and marketing coordinator at dkrugman@afisnc.org.
Attend the Northwest Regional Conference in March
The 2008 Northwest Regional Conference will be held March 13-15 at the Hilton Tower Downtown, Portland, Ore.
Fifteen speakers from world-class organizations will be included in this year's program, covering topics such as "Challenges of a Green Field Foundry in China," Percy Chang, ESCO, "Global Competition, the Economic Outlook," Ray Monroe, Steel Founders' Society of America and "Changing Chemical Analysis of Steel Scrap That is Used in Iron and Steel Foundries," Eugene Muratore, Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium America and more.
A past-chairman’s dinner, Saturday night banquet and tours of Dependable Patterns Works, Evraz Oregon Steel Mills and Columbia Steel also are scheduled. For more information on this conference, visit www.afsoregon.com/afsregional or contact Beth Knipple at 503/226-6506 or beth@bridgetowncores.com.
Participate in the CMI Chapter Course Competition
CMI is currently holding a competition for AFS Chapters that co-sponsor CMI courses. The chapter with the highest attendance from within their chapter area will win $1,000 and three complimentary course registration certificates. Second place will receive $500 and two course certificates and third place receives $250 and one course certificate. To qualify for the competition, the chapter must have at least 10 attendees. The contest will end in June, and entries must be submitted at that time.
For more information, including course schedules and locations, visit the CMI website at www.castmetals.com, or contact Jennifer Head, CMI special projects and course coordinator, at 800/537-4237 or jhead@afsinc.org.
Cupola Melting for Engineers Course Coming
CMI will be offering a Cupola Melting for Engineers course April 23-25, in Birmingham, Ala. This course emphasizes the engineering factors involved in cupola operation. It covers subjects starting with a history of stack-type melting units to the most modern computer-operated cupolas, including cokeless cupolas. A comprehensive examination of the cupola's advantages and disadvantages will be presented.
For more information, or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
Looking for more information on energy savings? The CD-ROM Energy Saving in the Foundry can help. AFS Special Publications has everything you need to supplement your metalcasting training. Visit www.afsinc.org/estore or call 800/537-4237 for more information.
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