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.
Four former employees of Gunite Corp. have purchased the idle factory and foundry and are relaunching operations as Rockford Brake Manufacturing.
The facility has been closed since February when Gunite’s parent company, Accuride, announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Founded in 1854 as the Eagle Foundry, the company’s 619,000-sq.-ft. facility sits on 41 acres and includes a grey iron foundry and machine shop that specializes in manufacturing brake drums for the commercial vehicle industry.
After acquiring the 3D-sand printing-business of AFS Corporate Member ExOne in September and gaining control of voxeljet AG in July through a court-ordered restructuring plan, investment firm Anzu Partners announced it would combine the two industrial additive manufacturers into ExOne Global Holdings.
ExOne Global Holdings will maintain operating subsidiaries in Germany, the U.S., Japan, China, and India that comprise the combined organization. Together, ExOne and voxeljet have deployed more than 500 industrial 3D printers.
AFS Corporate Member Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co., in conjunction with its subsidiary Neenah Foundry Co., has purchased Virginia-based Bingham & Taylor, a family-owned manufacturer of underground infrastructure access solutions serving water and gas utility customers across North America.