AFS has announced that the CastExpo trade show and convention will be held in Columbus on April 23-26. The Buckeye State last hosted this once-every-three-years industry event in 1974, when it was held in Cleveland.
“Metalcasting is a $44 billion industry, producing highly engineered castings that are essential to our daily life,” said Doug Kurkul, the organization’s CEO. “Everything from aerospace and automotive, to national defense and the infrastructure that brings us clean water depends on castings.”
“Ohio has a high concentration of metalcasting facilities and industry suppliers,” he added. “That, coupled with easy highway and air access, makes Columbus a perfect choice to host CastExpo 2022."
CastExpo typically attracts more than 5,000 metalcasters, suppliers, OEMs, and students who view new technologies and working equipment on the show floor, in addition to attending technical and management presentations. Nearly 280 exhibitors are committed, including many Ohio-based companies. A recent AFS survey showed nine in 10 foundries are planning capital equipment purchases in the next year.
Exhibit and program topics will include Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Casting Processes, Industry 4.0, Meeting the Skills Gap, Reshoring, Safety, and many others.
Special highlights this year include keynote addresses by Commander Mike Abrashoff, author of It’s Your Ship; Jean Bye, former CEO of Dotson Iron Castings who will reflect on lessons learned in her 50-year career; and renowned pollster Scott Rasmussen, who will address, “America in 2022: The State of Public Opinion.” AFS will also announce the Casting of the Year Award competition winner as well as the winners of a student research competition.
Admission and information are available at www.CastExpo.com.