Materials Science International (MSI), a manufacturer of planar and rotary sputtering targets, converted to AFS Corporate Member Inductotherm’s state-of-the-art induction equipment technologies for both production and research projects. Since making the investment in 2024, MSI has increased operational efficiency by as much as 70%, boosted production capacity while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry, Inc. has been recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) as a recipient of the 2025 Vets Ready Employer Initiative, an honor that acknowledges employers who go above and beyond to recruit, retain, and support veterans in the workplace.
AFS Corporate Member Hodge Foundry (Greenville, Pennsylvania), one of 16 winners of this year’s AFS Safe Year Award, had an extra important reason to celebrate their EHS performance this fall: Thanks to the quick thinking and fast action of six employees last August, a co-worker’s life was saved.
The American Foundry Society has long been the national voice for the $52 billion U.S. metalcasting industry. But as AFS leaders often remind members, much of the policy that shapes daily operations happens at the state level. That reality was underscored in a recent members-only webinar, where representatives from seven state associations shared their latest wins, challenges, and priorities.
In the late fall of 2025, AFS’s final quarterly survey of the year (with a 14% response rate) found metalcasters cautiously optimistic in their outlook for 2026. Most expect sales for the year to increase, as seen on the opposite page.
The business concern shared by the majority of foundries (depicted on page 25) was demand for castings, followed by inflation related to chemicals, energy, and materials; labor was still viewed as a significant issue. Tax policy and interest rates were the least of their cited challenges.
The arrival of 2026 has ushered in growing, cautious optimism that newly enacted tax incentives, infrastructure spending projects, and the growing impact of reshoring are likely to contribute to an improving economic outlook for the $52 billion foundry industry.
In December, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate approved a sweeping defense policy bill that authorizes $900 billion in military programs. The bill is the result of weeks of negotiations between both houses’ Armed Services committees, congressional leaders, and the White House. The bipartisan legislation sets lawmakers’ defense priorities and authorizes spending levels for the Defense Department and national security programs— and it includes a sweeping overhaul of the agency’s acquisition processes.
Youngstown State University (YSU) has been awarded a three-year certification by the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF), one of only six schools nationwide selected for the 2025-2026 cycle. The FEF certification recognizes colleges and universities that meet the foundation’s rigorous standards for excellence in metalcasting and foundry education.
On Oct. 3, AFS Corporate Member McWane Ductile’s foundry in Provo, Utah, was honored with the 2025 Award of Merit and Honor from the Utah Safety Council. The award is given to companies that maintain an injury incident rate below the national average for their industry and demonstrate continuous improvement in safety performance.
Anderson Foundries announced the acquisition of Muncie Castings LLC, an aluminum foundry based in Muncie, Indiana. By joining forces with its existing iron foundry, Dakota Foundry, Webster, South Dakota, the company is focused on delivering complete, vertically integrated manufacturing solutions.
The expanded foundry capabilities will enable the company to serve clients across a wider range of industries, from agriculture and construction to industrial design and custom manufacturing, with both iron and aluminum casting expertise.