AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry has named Michael Hawthorne as its new chief executive officer. He succeeds Mike Nikolai, who served the company for three decades.
“We’re excited to welcome Mike Hawthorne to the Waupaca Foundry family,” said Chairman Daniel Collin. “He brings over 30 years of industry experience and understands the roles that engineering, design, system integration, and operational excellence play in achieving breakthrough results.”
National TV show World’s Greatest! visited AFS Corporate Member Lawton Standard Company’s De Pere, Wisconsin location to film a segment on the foundry’s innovation and leadership in the metalcasting industry. The episode documents the foundry’s evolution of iron and steel casting from its origin in 1879 to today.
AFS Corporate Members have received a complimentary 2025 Metalcasting Forecast and Trends Report. This economic report, compiled from numerous government and industry sources, is packed with information to help you navigate the dynamic metalcasting landscape. It includes strategic insights with current data that will help drive business intelligence and financial optimization throughout the year.
The recent edition provides predictions on sales growth, including a projection of 4.2% increase in casting sales in 2025, reaching $50.1 billion.
Bradken’s Specialty Products North America (SPNAM) business has been sold to Los Angeles-based investment firm TerraMar Capital. SPNAM manufactures highly-engineered, large, complex, mission critical castings for customers in defense, specialized industrial, rail and transit markets.
CastExpo, North American’s largest metalcasting exposition, tradeshow, and Congress, is just around the corner on April 12-15 in Atlanta, Georgia.
AFS Corporate Member MAGMA Foundry Technologies Inc. has announced its expansion to the Monterrey, Mexico region, establishing a branch office to provide services to the Mexican metalcasting industry.
Its newest location, located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, is expected to open this quarter. Based on their growing business demands, MAGMA aims to accelerate growth in the Mexican market and strengthen communication by engaging in client initiatives, educating current customers, and building strategic partnerships.
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell visited AFS Corporate Member EJ in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on December 13. In addition to touring the operations, Pinnell discussed infrastructure, workforce, and area housing issues.
AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry is one of 22 employers statewide recognized as a 2024 Vets Ready Employer by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and its Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES). The annual award recognizes Wisconsin employers that have gone above and beyond to hire and support veterans and their families.
Approximately 10% of the foundry’s workforce are veterans of the armed services, and several team members have been employed while on active duty with the National Guard. The firm employs 3,500 people nationwide.
Senior leaders from across the U.S. Army gathered early in December at AFS Corporate Member Rock Island Arsenals Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center for a two-day war game about advanced manufacturing.
The session focused on enhancing and synchronizing efforts so the Army can best leverage technology to achieve its modernization and readiness goals. Advanced manufacturing is viewed as a potential game-changer for how the Army designs, produces, delivers, and sustains materiel capabilities.
Bradken’s Specialty Products North America (SPNAM) business has been sold to Los Angeles-based investment firm TerraMar Capital. SPNAM manufactures highly-engineered, large, complex, mission critical castings for customers in defense, specialized industrial, rail and transit markets.
The locations in Tacoma Washington, Atchison Kansas, St. Joseph, Missouri, and London, Ontario are included in the acquisition. Due to the divesture from Bradken, they have taken the name Vulcan Metals Corp.