Supporting public policies that bolster competitiveness, fuel economic growth, and create jobs are at the top of the agenda for the American Foundry Society this year.
AFS has released its Agenda for Manufacturing & Metalcasting Prosperity, which outlines the society's pro-metalcasting policy goals for the next year. These policy positions support metalcasters and the broader U.S. manufacturing base, focusing on seven key areas:
- Energy and permitting reform
- Competitive tax policy
- Environmental quality
- International trade
- American security and domestic supply chain
- Workforce development
- Safety and health
"The decisions made on Capitol Hill have a profound effect on the metalcasting industry, and that impacts more than the country's 1,700 foundries and the 490,000 people whose jobs depend on them," said Doug Kurkul, AFS CEO. "Metal castings are critical to our national defense, our infrastructure, our power grid – in short, to our way of life. It is imperative that lawmakers recognize the industry's integral role in shaping our modern economy, and that they enact policies to support U.S. metalcasters."
AFS's 2023 Agenda for Manufacturing & Metalcasting Prosperity will shape the society's advocacy in Washington, D.C., including at the 2023 Government Affairs Fly-In, June 20-21 in Washington. Every metalcaster and supplier company is encouraged to send at least one representative to the Fly-In to learn about important issues impacting the industry, and to help the industry advance sensible solutions on Capitol Hill.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $46 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at afsinc.org.