American Foundry Society

The American Foundry Society (AFS) has a three-part mission of advocacy, education and innovation in the $44 billion metalcasting industry. It serves all metalcasting industry producers, suppliers, and end users, including all metals and all processes. The organization traces its roots to 1896 when the American Foundrymen's Association was formed. The Association was subsequently named The American Foundrymen's Society, and later the name was adjusted to the American Foundry Society, or AFS. The society is considered an international organization consisting of 7,500 members across 48 countries, organized into 40 regional chapters and 40 student chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The AFS promotes the interests of the foundry industry to the federal government and consists of a professional staff and volunteer committee structure. The six major areas of focus are: Member Success and Sustainability; Industry Stewardship; Policy Advocacy; Promotion of Castings; Workforce Development; and Technical Innovation. AFS develops and funds research to address metalcasting technical needs. The organization also maintains a Washington DC office and advocates for public policies conducive to a strong metalcasting industry. The AFS Institute, formerly Cast Metals Institute, provides education on metalcasting processes, materials and disciplines, and launched an e-learning initiative on July 1, 2016. AFS is based in Schaumburg, Illinois. Doug Kurkul joined AFS as CEO in January, 2016.[3]

American Foundry Society
Established1896
TypeProfessional association
HeadquartersSchaumburg, Illinois [1]
ServicesLobbying, education, research, networking and public relations
President
Michael Lenahan [2]
Websitewww.afsinc.org

History

For a number of years prior to the founding of the Society many local bodies of foundrymen met for mutual protection in regards to labor, prices and interchange of technical information. The attendance was usually strong in these organizations in times of prosperity but waned when economic conditions slowed. Early in 1896 the Philadelphia Foundrymen's Society through discussion with its members conceived that a more general, larger benefit might be gained through organizing a wider group of foundrymen. They invited foundrymen from around the country to Philadelphia for a meeting. The response was spontaneous and well received. On May 12, 1896, the American Foundrymen's Association was formed.[4]

Organization

The Society has approximately 925 business members and 7,000 individual members. There are 40 regional chapters, as well as 40 student chapters at colleges and universities. AFS is organized into 13 Divisions with committees under each division:

  • Engineering Division
  • Additive Manufacturing Division
  • Aluminum Division
  • Copper Alloy Division
  • Molding Methods & Materials Division
  • Cast Iron Division
  • Magnesium Division
  • Melting Methods & Materials Division
  • Steel Division
  • Environmental Health & Safety Division
  • Lost Foam Division
  • Government Affairs Division
  • Human Resources Division
  • Marketing Division

In addition to these divisions, the organization has technical staff to assist with engineering services, a system to support research, and an extensive library. More than 15,000 articles from the digital library are available free of charge to members of the organization.

Past Presidents
  • 2019-2020: Peter Reich, LAEMPE REICH
  • 2018-2019: Jean Bye, Dotson Iron Castings
  • 2017-2018: Patricio Gil, Blackhawk de Mexico
  • 2016-2017: Jeff Cook, Eagle Alloy
  • 2015-2016: Bruce W. Dienst, Simpson Technologies[5]
  • 2014-2015: Christopher C. Norch, Denison Industries
  • 2013-2014: Dennis Dotson, Dotson Iron Castings
  • 2012-2013: Michael L. Selz, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry
  • 2011-2012: Tim McMillin, Fairmount Minerals
  • 2010-2011: Henry W. Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing Company
  • 2009-2010: Steve Reynolds, Lufkin Industries
  • 2007-2009: Paul Mikkola, Metal Casting Technology Inc.
  • 2006-2007: Albert Lucchetti, Cumberland Foundry
  • 2005-2006: James Keffer, EBAA Iron Sales
  • 2004-2005: Charles M. Kurtti, Neenah Foundry Company
  • 2003-2004: Arthur Edge, American Cast Iron Pipe Company
  • 2002-2003: Paul B. Cervellero, Inductotherm
  • 2001-2002: Donald L. Huizenga, Kurdziel Industries
  • 2000-2001: Donald E. Gaertner, Metalcasting Equipment Inc.
  • 1999-2000: Jack Pohlman, Taylor-Pohlman
  • 1998-1999: Jack Moore, Stahl Specialty Co.
  • 1997-1998: George Boyd, Sr., Golden’s Foundry
  • 1996-1997: Henry W. Dienst, Simpson Technologies
  • 1995-1996: Dwight J. Barnhard, Superior Aluminum Castings
  • 1994-1995: Thomas E. Woehlke, Lawran Foundry
  • 1993-1994: Daniel M. Goodyear, Pennsylvania Steel Foundry & Machine
  • 1992-1993: Ray H. Witt, CMI International
  • 1991-1992: R. Conner Warren, Citation Corp.
  • 1990-1991: Jerry Agin, The Hill & Griffith Co.
  • 1989-1990: James D. Pearson (ACMA Chairman), Aurora Industries
  • 1989-1990: Alvin W. Singleton, Intermet Corp.
  • 1988-1989: Tim Hitchcock, Hitchcock Industries
  • 1987-1988: Albert W. Gruer (ACMA Chairman), Waupaca Foundry
  • 1987-1988: Anton Dorfmueller, Ashland Chemical
  • 1986-1987: John L. Kelly, Textron
  • 1985-1986: William M. O’Neill, Alloy Engineering & Casting Co.
  • 1984-1985: George N. Booth, Ford Motor Co.
  • 1983-1984: Hugh Sims, Jr., Vulcan Engineering
  • 1982-1983: Eugene E. Paul, The Dalton Foundries
  • 1981-1982: Lawrence S. Krueger Pelton Casteel
  • 1980-1981: Charles E. Drury, Hayes-Albion Corp
  • 1979-1980: J.R. Bodine, Bodine Aluminum
  • 1978-1979: John A. Wagner, Jr., Wagner Castings
  • 1977-1978: Roy Nosek, Beardsley & Piper Div., Pettibone Corp.
  • 1975-1977: Tom Wiltse, General Motors
  • 1975: Frank Ryan, St. Paul Brass Foundry
  • 1974-1975: Charles Fausel, Lester B. Knight & Associates
  • 1973-1974: Sam Clow, Clow Corp.
  • 1972-1973: Burleigh E. Jacobs, Grede Foundries
  • 1971-1972: J. Douglas James, Urick Foundry Co.
  • 1970-1971: Clyde Sanders, American Colloid
  • 1969-1970: John O’Meara, Banner Iron Works
  • 1968-1969: Bernard Ames, Columbian Bronze
  • 1967-1968: Charles F. Seelbach, Jr., Forest City Foundries
  • 1966-1967: Dale Hall, Oklahoma Steel Castings
  • 1965-1966: Warren Jeffrey, McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co.
  • 1964-1965: Thomas Lloyd, Albion Malleable Iron Co.
  • 1963-1964: Allen Slichter, Pelton Steel Casting Co.
  • 1962-1963: John A. Wagner, Wagner Castings Co.
  • 1961-1962: Albert L. Hunt, Superior Foundry
  • 1960-1961: Norman Dunbeck, International Minerals & Chemical
  • 1959-1960: Charles Nelson, Dow Chemical
  • 1958-1959: Lewis Durdin, Dixie Bronze Co.
  • 1957-1958: Harry Dietert, Harry W. Dietert Co.
  • 1956-1957: Frank W. Shipley, Caterpillar Tractor Co.
  • 1955-1956: Bruce L. Simpson, National Engineering Co.
  • 1954-1955: Frank Dost, Sterling Foundry
  • 1953-1954: Collins Carter, Albion Malleable Iron Co.
  • 1952-1953: I. Richards Wagner, Electric Steel Castings Co.
  • 1951-1952: Walter L. Seelbach, Superior Foundry
  • 1950-1951: Walton Woody, National Malleable & Steel Castings Co.
  • 1949-1950: E.W. Horlebein, Gibson & Kirk Co.
  • 1948-1949: W.B. Wallis, Pittsburgh Lectromelt Furnace Co.
  • 1947-1948: Max Kuniansky, Lynchburg Foundry
  • 1946-1947: S.V. Wood, Minneapolis Electric Steel Castings Co.
  • 1945-1946: Fred J. Walls, International Nickel Co.
  • 1944-1945: Ralph Teetor, Cadillac Malleable Iron Co
  • 1943-1944: Lee C. Wilson, American Chain & Cable Co.
  • 1942-1943: D.P. Forbest, Gunite Foundries Corp.
  • 1941-1942: Herbert S. Simpson, National Engineering Co.
  • 1940-1941: L.N. Shannon, Stockham Pipe Fitting Co.
  • 1939-1940: Henry S. Washburn, Plainville Casting Co.
  • 1938-1939: Marshall Post, Plainville Casting Co.
  • 1937-1938: H. Bornstein, Deere & Co.
  • 1936-1937: James Wick, Jr. Falcon Bronze Co.
  • 1934-1936: Dan Avey, The Foundry
  • 1933-1934: Frank Lanahan, Fort Pitt Malleable Iron Co.
  • 1932-1933: T.S. Hammond, Whiting Corp.
  • 1931-1932: E.H. Ballard, General Electric Co.
  • 1930-1931: Nathaniel Patch, Lumen Bearing Co.
  • 1929-1930: Fred Erb, Erb-Joyce Foundry Co.
  • 1928-1929: S.T. Johnson, S. Obermayer Co.
  • 1926-1928: S. Wells Utley, Detroit Steel Casting Co.
  • 1925-1926: A.B. Root, Jr., Hunt-Spiller Manufacturing Co.
  • 1924-1925: L.W. Olson, Ohio Brass Co.
  • 1923-1924: G.H. Clamer, Ajax Metal Co.
  • 1922-1923: C.R. Messinger, Chain Belt Co.
  • 1920-1922: W.R. Bean, Eastern Malleable Iron Co.
  • 1919-1920: Carl Koch, Fort Pitt Steel Casting Co.
  • 1918-1919: A.O. Backert, Penton Publishing
  • 1917-1918: B.D. Fuller, Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing
  • 1916-1917: J.P. Pero, Missouri Malleable Iron Co.
  • 1914-1916: Robert Bull, Commonwealth Steel Co.
  • 1913-1914: Alfred Howell, Phillips & Buttorff Co.
  • 1912-1913: Henry Miles, Buffalo Foundry & Machine
  • 1910-1912: Major Joseph Speer, Pittsburgh Valve Foundry & Construction Co.
  • 1909-1910: Arthur Waterfall, Russell Wheel & Foundry
  • 1908-1909: L.L. Anthies, Anthes Foundry Ltd.
  • 1907-1908: Stanley Flagg, Jr., Stanley G. Flagg & Co.
  • 1906-1907: William McFadden, Mackintosh, Hemphill Co.
  • 1905-1906: Thomas West, Thomas D. West Foundry
  • 1904-1905: Chris Wolff, L. Wolff Manufacturing Co.
  • 1903-1904: Willis Brown, Walker Foundry
  • 1902-1903: A.W. Walker, Walker-Pratt Manufacturing Co.
  • 1901-1902: John Sadlier, Sprinfield Foundry Co.
  • 1900-1901: W. A. Jones, W.A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co.
  • 1899-1900: Joseph S. Seaman, Seaman-Sleeth Co.
  • 1898-1899: C.S. Bell, C.S. Bell Co.
  • 1896-1898: Francis Schumann, Tacony Iron & Metal Co.

Regional Activity

Regional Chapters organize educational events and hold chapter meetings, usually at monthly intervals, to promote technical or business subjects related to foundry and the foundry business. The 2019 CastExpo show was held April 27–30, 2019, in Atlanta. The 2020 Metalcasting Congress show was slated to be held in April 2020 in Cleveland, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 2021 show will be staged in Milwaukee, and CastExpo 2022 will be held in Columbus, Ohio.

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References
  1. New address appears at bottom of association homepage at http://afsinc.org/. Retrieved March 10, 2020
  2. "AFS Board". American Foundry Society. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. https://www.foundrytradejournal.com/news/afs-finalises-ceo-transition-plan
  4. The Foundry, Vol. 29, Issue 1, Cleveland, OH, September 1906
  5. "Bruce Dienst Named President of American Foundry Society". Company Blog. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
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