| Join our list |
 |
|
|
|
 October 1, 2009
|
|
Fall Meeting of Members |
|
FIA Fall Meeting to Focus on Bottom Line Concerns to Manufacturers |
|
FIA senior level executives are encouraged to plan for an information packed 24 hours at the Fall Meeting of Members, October 19-20, 2009 at the Woodlands Conference Center and Resort in Houston, TX. Fees have been held to 2006 levels and topics have been targeted to key activities and issues facing the forging industry to maximize attendance. Ample roundtable and networking time has been built in to encourage member -to-member exchange of ideas.
The meeting opens with an update on the economy, and where we are headed next year. Playing a bigger part than ever in this, is the US Federal Government and we'll look at what Washington is doing that will impact manufacturing in the short and long term. Human resource issues are also evolving at a rapid pace. Lynn Outwater returns to give a comprehensive understanding of those issues and how we can best deal with them. We'll also look at what FIA and allied organizations have been doing recently to benefit the membership. Finally, we'll hear from energy consultants who have worked with FIA and its members in the past ...on their "Outlook for Energy", including regulations likely to impact manufacturers, effect on pricing and what "alternative" energy sources are real and may play a factor in reducing these costs.
Several roundtables are planned on accessing capital, federal stimulus money, ITAR, benchmarking and general business.
For those able to add a half day, a round of informal golf is planned for Tuesday afternoon, on-site at the Woodland's Panther Trail course.
FIA Members are encouraged to Click Here to see the full meeting brochure and registration information, or contact the FIA office for a printed brochure.
|
|
Global Networking |
|
FIA Exec Attends Euroforge |
|
|
Roy W. Hardy, incoming Executive Vice President of FIA, was invited to attend and present an overview of the North American economy, and the state of the forging industry to the annual general assembly of EUROFORGE September 24 - 25 in Cesme, Turkey. Hardy shared specific data from the current 18-month recession as well as recent trends in several manufacturing indexes that show improvements in the economy. After showing FIA benchmarking information displaying the almost 40% drop in sales in the North American Forging business, our European peers shared the decrease in their sales. Specific decreases by country were reported as follows: Germany -28%; France -30%; Spain -43%; Sweden -22%; Italy -45%; UK -37%; Czech Republic -39%; Poland -40%; Turkey -53%; Slovenia -14%. Just as in North America, business conditions in Europe are difficult with bookings down, too much capacity, and extended payment terms from customers. The general forecasting consensus of companies reporting to EUROFORGE is sales in 2010 will be up 10 to 20% over 2009 but still well below 2008 sales. Overall, The EUROFORGE group was very gracious and welcoming, and the potential for FIA becoming a more involved partner internationally was very well received.
|
|
Schools / Workshops |
| Induction Heating for Forging - November 4, 2009 - Chicago |
|
A one-day workshop covering:
� Basics of Induction Heating
� Induction Heating Power Supplies
� Material Handling
� Induction Coil Design / Repair
� Electrical Control Systems
� Water Cooling Systems
� Preventative Maintenance
� Energy and Economics
This Is the Only Induction Heating Seminar Focused Exclusively on the Forging Industry
(Click here) for additional information, or contact George Layne at: glayne@forging.org
(Back to Top) |
|
Free One-Day Forging Design Seminar |
|
The FIA/Defense Manufacturing Consortium (FDMC) has developed a shortened, one-day prototype and "module-approach" Forging Design Seminar targeted at forging buyers and customers to help them better understand forgings' use and applications. Two trial seminars are being presented, Nov 17 in Cleveland and Nov 19 in Albany, NY, (Click here) and is offered free of charge to FIA members and participants asking only their help to critique and improve the final product. The FDMC seminar not only supplements current FIA Design programs of greater comprehensive information and depth to forging company employees and designers, but fills an additional FIA purpose of providing more opportunities to help educate our customers. |
|
Reports / Surveys |
| FIA Video Conferencing Survey Report |
|
Toward offering Video Conferencing and expanding electronic delivery of meetings and services to members FIA had asked members to respond to a brief Questionnaire evaluating best practices and experiences of companies who conduct, or are contemplating the utilization of Webinars/Video Conferencing. Fourteen Member Companies responded, 8 Forging Producers, and 6 Supplier Companies.
FIA is not unique in exploring ways it can utilize the emerging technology of Webinars/Video Conferencing. Many associations are also wrestling with the same challenge. We have included, as an addendum to the FIA Video Conferencing Survey Report, the results of a survey that National Association of Manufacturers, (NAM), had recently conducted, asking similar questions to associations. (Click here) to view/print complete Report. (Back to Top) |
| Top 8 Benefits of Participating in FIA's Compensation Survey |
|
|
1. To report results back quickly, completed survey questionnaires are due October 2, 2009. Reports will be published electronically in December.
2. 2009 Hourly and Management Compensation Reports are FREE to companies completing survey questionnaires!
3. Information contained in the reports is valuable for salary reviews, contract negotiations and setting pay for new hires.
4. Benchmark your benefit packages and pay scales against companies like your own.
5. All information is held in the strictest of confidence; rates are reported in the aggregate only - no individual company information or participating company name is ever reported.
6. FIA has a long history of providing the only forging industry-specific compensation information available.
7. NEW IN 2009 - We've re-tooled geographic and sales categories to maximize the value of categories reported; and
8. Added questions to compare personnel actions taken in 2009 and anticipated for 2010.
Forms were sent to member forging companies in early September. To make sure your company was sent the surveys contact Mary Ann ( maryann@forging.org) or Connie ( connie@forging.org) at FIA 216.781.6260.
To provide the best information, we need the participation of as many FIA members as possible, so we hope you will look for and encourage your company to complete the survey questionnaires.
Questions? Would you like to see a sample report to judge for yourself how valuable this information can be? Please contact Karen Lewis ( karen@forging.org) at the FIA Office - 216.781.6260 for additional information.
|
| Training Assessment Questionnaire |
|
As a company's business needs evolve, so do their training needs. With this in mind, FIA is attempting to evaluate the current, and future, training needs of the forging industry. Please take a few minutes and respond to the Questionnaire. Your response will help us design and implement the appropriate training and development initiatives. (Click here) to view/print the Training Assessment Questionnaire |
|
Forge Fair 2010 |
| Forge Fair 2010 Exhibitor Early Reservation Discount Ending Soon |
|
Attention Vendors of Forging Equipment, Materials, Suppliers and Services Worldwide. Early Bird Reservation Discounts are scheduled to end October 31, 2009. Don't miss this opportunity to present yourself, your company, and your products and services to a one of a kind international audience. Don't miss out on the Early Bird Reservation Discounts!!! (Click here) for additional information, or contact George Layne at: glayne@forging.org |
| Plant Tour Opportunities Sought for Chinese Guests During Forge Fair |
|
A delegation of thirty Chinese forging producers will be visiting the US for Forge Fair 2010, and would like to visit some impression die forging shops while in the country. If you would be interested in hosting a plant tour for the delegation, or would like more information on hosting a plant tour, please contact George Layne at: glayne@forging.org, or 216-781-6260. (Back to Top) |
|
Public Policy |
| FIA Washington Update From The Laurin Baker Group |
|
(Click here)for update from FIA's Lobby firm in Washington on FIA Public Policy Issues.
|
|
Marketing Opportunities |
| FIA to Exhibit at Power-Gen International 2009 |
|
FIA will represent its Member companies through exhibition at the Power-Gen International Show, December 8-10, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Over 18,000 attendees are expected for the power industry's three-day information exchange designed to share practical experiences, knowledge and ideas on the latest trends and challenges. Plenty of Forging Capability Guide CDs promoting member custom forging services will be distributed. It's expected that many domestic and offshore forging operations will send personnel to prospect this growing market segment. See http://www.power-gen.com for more information on attending or exhibiting.
|
|
Safety |
| Forge Shop Safety Course Added to Forging University Catalog |
|
With a grant from FIERF the Forging University just added the first of three new Forging Specific Safety Courses to its Catalog; Forge Shop Safety & Health. While all Forging University courses are self-paced, the new course is rated at 45-minutes. The other two courses that are currently in development are; Press Safety, and Hammer Safety, which are scheduled to be launched by December of this year. The Forging University is an interactive Web-based training center that can be accessed from any Internet connected computer, anytime, and from anywhere in the world. With the addition of this new course the University offers 12 Safety Courses in its 106 course catalog. The Forging University is a free service offered to FIA member companies. Please contact your company's training manager for additional information, or George Layne at FIA, at: glayne@forging.org. |
| Safety Tip Sheets for the Forge Shop |
|
|
As a part of the Forging Industry Association (FIA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Alliance efforts to reduce the workplace injuries and illnesses, OSHA and FIA are jointly developing a series of Safety Tip Sheets. The Safety Tip Sheets address the steps that can be taken to reduce several common workplace injuries. Currently there are 6 Safety Tip Sheets Posted on the Safety Website:
� Help Prevent Eye Injuries
� Help Prevent Eye Injuries (Spanish)
� Help Prevent Hand Lacerations
� Help Prevent Hand Lacerations (Spanish)
� Reduce the risk of Back Injuries
� Manual Material Handling
Print them and post them, or use them as training material for safety meetings.
|
| Influenza Pandemic Resource Center |
|
|
The threat of an influenza pandemic is dominating the news. Those who have recently traveled abroad are especially concerned. The FIA Safety & Health Committee has compiled a list of helpful resources for safety managers concerned about a possible influenza pandemic.
What would you do if 20-30-40% of your workforce was out due to illness?The FIA Safety Committee has created a resource center to help an organization evaluate their risk factors, and to help them prepare their workplace for a possible outbreak.
|
|
Technology Reports |
| Spheroidization Heat Treatment Report Published |
|
Many automotive gears, hubs and universal joint crosses are cold formed using spheroidization. But spheroidization heat treatments require time and energy. To decrease the time associated with spheroidization, this FIERF Graduate Fellowship supported R. Allen Schaneman Jr.'s Master's thesis work at the Colorado School of Mines comparing three different materials to determine the optimum time and use of the treatment. (Click here) to view the report. |
| Tempering Behavior of Hot Forging Die Steels Research Completed |
|
This FIERF sponsored research brought together Colorado School of Mines student V. Virtanen, FIERF Professor Chet Van Tyne, industry input and materials provided by A. Finkl & Sons Co. to produce experimental data of the hardness of three die steels (FX, 2714 and WF) measured as a function of tempering time and temperature. See The report for results including softening and temper resistance as a function of temperature and time.
(Back to Top) |
|
FIERF |
| FIERF Historical Metrics |
|
In preparing to develop goals and metrics for 2009-10, the FIERF Board reviewed the attached programs and activities of the Foundation at their September meeting at the University of Toledo. All FIA Members are encouraged to make use of the resources available through FIERF.
(Click here) to view/print the complete document: The FIERF Mission, Research and Development, Technical Education
| |
|
