Released on September 12, 2011

Metalcasting industry supplier Fairmount Minerals, Wedron, Ill., hosted a visit by U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) in August.

The visit included a tour of Fairmount’s Wedron Silica sand and resin coating plants. Freshman Congressman Kinzinger said he was excited to see the plants, two of several Fairmount facilities in his district. The facilities employ almost 200 people.

“As a congressman for the 11th district, I have been very supportive of our ability to grow U.S. manufacturing,” Kinzinger said. “And as a member on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I am supportive of base level American manufacturing, as well as the development of domestic energy with products such as [hydraulic fracturing] sand. Fairmount is successfully working in both these worlds.”

Wedron Silica Sand Plant Manager Dave Bach gave the congressman an extensive tour of Fairmount’s mining interests and processing facilities. Jack Showden, resin coating plant manager, gave Kinzinger a tour of the resin coating plant.

While the company has begun to focus on the oil and gas market during the recent economic downturn, Fairmount representatives told Kinzinger they haven’t forgotten about base level manufacturing and the American metalcasting industry.

"Metalcasting has been a foundation industry of Fairmount, especially for the Wedron Silica facility, which has operated for more than a 110 years," said Tim McMillin, Fairmount’s director of market development and president of the American Foundry Society. “Foundry continues to be a very important market for us and one we will continue to support. The foundry industry is an integral part of so many aspects of American culture. It would be impossible to go without castings.”

During the tour of the Wedron Silica facility, Kinzinger said an economy conducive to manufacturing growth is on its way.

"We've been working very hard to help business along," he said.