Industry News

Waupaca Foundry Plant 4 ductile iron foundry in Marinette, Wisconsin was recognized with the 2023 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award (SQEA). 

“As we continue to navigate an ever-challenging environment, know that (Waupaca’s) dedication to quality and shared goals is deeply appreciated,” said Executive Director of GM Global Supplier Quality & Development Rick Demuynck. GM’s global supplier quality team recognized Waupaca Foundry for consistently providing support and being a valued partner.

In preparation for celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, AFS Corporate Member DIDION unveiled the results of a major strategic rebranding in September. 

AFS Corporate Member BCI Solutions Inc. was recognized with Health Rosetta’s Rosie Award at RosettaFest 2024 in mid-September. Hosted at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C., the accolade celebrated BCI for its outstanding contributions and innovative leadership in the healthcare sector.

AFS Corporate Member South Milwaukee Foundry announced completion of several large capital improvement projects. It is part of the Appleton Group owned by global automation company, Emerson. 

To date, the 150,000-sq.-ft. foundry has:

The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) is leading a project to improve the cybersecurity and operational efficiency of 3D-printed sand molds used in metal casting.  

With collaboration from AFS Corporate Member Humtown Products and 3Degrees Company, CDME’s “Cybersecurity-Enhanced Efficiency in 3D Printed Sand Molds” project aims to implement an integrated solution to secure and optimize the manufacturing process. 

GIFA Mexico and FUNDIEXPO, the Mexican tradeshow for the Mexican and Latin American foundry sector, will take place October 16–18 at the Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City. The event is part of Messe Düsseldorf’s “The Bright World of Metals” portfolio and will be held in cooperation with the Mexican Foundry Society, A.C. (Sociedad Mexicana de Fundidores, A.C./ SMFAC).

Effective August 23, AFS Corporate Member Weaver Materiel Service Inc. announced it completed the acquisition of the assets of Foundry Products Inc. based in Westland, Michigan. The company also added two new employees: Tim Hall joins the sales team from South Bend, Indiana; and Teri Tailford is part of the front office staff.

AFS Corporate Member OTTO JUNKER GmbH, a pioneer in building equipment for foundries, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.  

In 1909, AFS Corporate Member Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF) got its start as the Manitowoc Brass Foundry Company and made castings for Harley-Davidson, Wisconsin Motors and Evinrude Outboard. Abraham Schwartz renamed the company Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in 1912 and began expanding product lines and offerings, including opening a brass and bronze foundry in the mid-1920s, which primarily served Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. 

Victaulic’s Lawrenceville foundry, an AFS Corporate Member, is constructing a 150,000-sq.-ft. addition to accommodate new molding lines, melt furnaces, core machines, and automated finishing and paint equipment to help produce larger scale products. The expansion will also include a 60,000-sq.-ft. machine shop with state-of-the-art CNC equipment.

Victaulic’s $100 million expansion project will create at least 214 new, full-time jobs and retain an additional 1,611 jobs across the state.