The American Foundry Society, North America’s largest metalcasting organization, today offered congratulations to President-Elect Donald J. Trump, Vice President-Elect JD Vance, and all newly elected lawmakers. Following a sharply contested series of national elections, now is the time for policymakers to begin coming together on forward-thinking public policies that will bolster economic growth, encourage reshoring, and provide opportunity for all Americans.
“The voters have spoken and now a new group of policymakers will soon have the opportunity to address our nation’s challenges and opportunities,” said AFS CEO Doug Kurkul. “The American Foundry Society and its members look forward to collaborating with our elected officials – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – on policies that will strengthen manufacturing, which is the backbone of the American economy, and that will reinforce the metalcasting industry, which is of central importance to our manufacturing capacity and national defense.”
The nation’s 1,700 metalcasters design and produce highly engineered metal castings that are an integral part of dozens of key industries, from aerospace and automotive to clean-water and energy. Parts of manufacturing have been in a recession in recent months, adding urgency to the need to adopt a pro-manufacturing agenda. In particular, AFS will collaborate with policymakers on policies including:
- Pro-growth, predictable tax policy.
- Rational energy policies that ensure adequate and reliable supplies of electricity from fossil fuel, nuclear and alternative energy sources.
- Permitting reform to cut through red tape and streamline the process of bringing on key energy and infrastructure projects.
- Regulatory policies at EPA, OSHA and other agencies that are based on sound science, input from the regulated communities and cost-benefit analysis.
- Aggressive enforcement of trade policies to ensure a level playing field and crack down against foreign trade cheats.
- AFS supports the principle that when taxpayer funds are used for infrastructure projects, all of the metal used, including castings, should be made in the U.S.
- Funding for all-important research into advanced metalcasting practices with military and commercial applications.
Across the country, members of AFS regularly open their foundries to lawmakers and their staff to see metalcasting first-hand and to speak with their constituents. AFS also has a strong, year-round presence in the nation’s capital with environmental policy advocates Jeff Hannapel and Christian Richter, as well as well-respected lobbyist Stephanie Salmon.
Castings are found across manufacturing -- in motor vehicles, transportation rolling stock, aerospace, national defense, agriculture, energy development and transmission, mining, medical devices, clean water and wastewater systems, fire safety equipment, consumer products and dozens of other applications. Examples of metalcasting can be found at Castings: Wherever You Are. The metalcasting industry has annual U.S. sales of $50 billion, an economic impact of $110.5 billion, and accounts for 490,000 jobs either directly, indirectly or through induced (related) impacts.
AFS will present a Members Only Webinar on November 7 at 11:00 AM CST to review the election results and what they mean for AFS members. To register for the webinar, click HERE.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $50 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. |