Member Recognition 

End of an Era! Charles W. Hopper and Paul Gerus Retire

Public Policy 

FIA membership: I wanted to provide you with an update on yesterday's, December 7, 2010, NAM SHOPFLOOR Hill Briefings on the OSHA Proposed Reinterpretation of noise standard enforcement, as well as forward OSHA's "official" announcement of the extension of the public comment period to March 21, 2011 and a stakeholder meeting (see below).  ONLY because Roy requested it, is there a picture attached.

I participated on behalf of FIA in a panel discussion with NAM and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) to provide both House and Senate staffers covering labor issues with an introduction to OSHA's proposal and manufacturers' initial concerns.  (Originally, NAM asked company representatives to participate but the feedback was that associations should be out front at this time.)  The panels went very well with NAM giving an overview of the issue, AISI discussing the steel industry concerns, and myself giving an overview of forging and its processes, and the concerns that we've already identified (many of which are common to all metalworking).  We all made the point that NAM, AISI, and FIA were in the process of further surveying our members to be able to better define the potential impacts but we knew enough to be concerned about the process OSHA is using (non-Administrative Procedures Act for rulemaking, no guidance in the Federal Register notice, etc.), and the potential impacts and unintended consequences for manufacturers to want to begin educating the Hill now as part of the overall strategy.

The House briefing included 2 Committee Staffers from the Education and Labor Committee and 5 staffers from Members of House, as well as a variety of other industry representatives concerned about the issue.  The Senate briefing included 3 Senate Education and Labor Committee staffers, 1 Small Business Committee staffer, and 4 Senate staffers including a staffer from Sen. Sherrod Brown's office.

One of the immediate outcomes of the Hill briefings that I participated in last week is the attached letter, (click here to view/print letter), sent yesterday by Senators Snowe (R-ME) and Lieberman (D-CT), members of the Small Business Committee.  Senator Snowe's committee staffer was in the Senate briefing we did.

Jennifer Baker Reid

Workshops/Conferences 

This 1 � day workshop will act to introduce participants to the different types of mechanical eccentric and crankshaft presses. It will provide an explanation of the various elements of the press to provide an understanding of how they work and their influence on other parts of the press and forging process.

The emphasis of the Workshop is predictive and preventative maintenance of the elements of the press and things to be taken into account when planning a repair. While questions will be welcomed at any time, after each half day, there will be a 20-minute open forum round table discussion where the attendees will be able to ask the presenters questions on the topics covered up to that point.

This Workshop will not be delivered again this year, so don't miss it! Class size is limited, so don't wait to register

Click here to view/print the course program and overview.

28^th Forging Industry Technical Conference

Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg, IL

April 5-7, 2011

Celebrating 50 years of

�         Research

�         Education

�         Operational Excellence

�         Increased Competitiveness

The Industry Technical Conference is designed to showcase the best in forging technology with a diversity of presentations of interest to different processes, materials, and end-use markets; Report out FIERF funded research projects and industry collaborative group results; Provide a forum for students and professors to present their forging research; and provide a networking opportunity between industry, academia and research partners.

The conference will also offer table top exhibits and tours of Jernberg Industries, HHI Forging LLC's Pershing and Bollingbrook facilities.

(click here) to view the conference agenda and to register on-line.  For more information or questions, please contact Connie at the FIA Office (connie@forging.org ; 216.781.6260).

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International Meetings

Dear Forging Industry Association,

Greetings from AIFI secretariat!

We are hosting, in less than a year's time from now, the 'International Forging Congress 2011' at Hyderabad, India. We expect over 1100 delegates, all decision makers from global industries connected with Forging Industry worldwide. We have taken the proud privilege of hosting IFC2011 with determination to make it a world class event and to give the participants a unique experience laced with Indian culinary and cultural flavor. 

Besides the delegates joining us at the Congress, we, also, need your support in sponsorships, exhibitors and Technical Paper submissions for the success of this event. We are expecting more than 1100 delegates - half of them from across the globe - who are all decision makers in the Forging Industry to attend IFC2011. Needless to say that this is an opportunity none can afford to miss.

Again, this event is a great platform to present Technical Papers before the global audience. The last date for submission of the topic and abstract for the paper has been extended to 31^st January 2011. Since a very short time is left, we urge you to send your technical papers at your earliest.

Thanks.

(Click here to view/print program) 

Warm regards.

Sandeep Gupta

Deputy Manager
Association of Indian Forging Industry[AIFI]
 

Safety 

In this issue:

� OSHA Alert

� OSHA Noise Response Survey

� Workers Must Understand Training

� How Cold is Too Cold?

            � Safety Star Awards

� Safety & Health Committee Needs YOU!

(Click here) to view/print the Safety Newsletter

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Surveys 

FORGING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

 ANNUAL STATISTICAL SURVEY

WHATS NEW IN THE 2010 FIA

The Forging Industry Association has been collecting information for over 40 years to keep the forging industry and its suppliers aware of the consumption of forging parts in the last 12 months with comparison to past historical years.   (Look for your survey via e-mail coming soon)

This year's report, made up of aggregate information, will include the usual data that has been compiled in the past along with new comparative and forecasting information that we hope will be informative and serve as a business tool for your company. Our objective is to also benchmark against international forgers, so for us to be able to compare our information with the world we need a clear picture of what the custom, catalogue/standard product and captive production is.  New emphases this year will be on exports, energy costs and employment fluctuations.

What we have always gathered:

A. Total yearly volume shipped broken down by:

� Segments - Closed Die, Open Die and Rolled Ring

� Metals, Ferrous and Non Ferrous

� By Tons per metal

� By End Use markets your forging would go in to.

� Rolled Ring producers: We have added the end use market for the Windmill/Wind Power market.

B. What we will be adding to questionnaire and reporting:

� The amount of forgings exported and to what countries - by Tons

� The Energy usage/efficiency in the US to compare to world consumption

� Scrap where it's been and where it's going.

� Forecast - quarterly

� Employee counts on the production side.

As a member you will receive reporting on all of the above. As a non-member you will receive part "A" reporting Free but can purchase part "B".

Click below to download a PDF form or call FIA office (216-781-6260 Mary Ann or Diane) if you wish to participate on line.

   Impression Die (Closed Die) Form [click here]

   Open Die Form [click here] 

   Rolled Ring Form [click here] 

(All Survey questionnaires are coded for confidentiality of data.  FIA staff internally compiles the data to obtain aggregate report results, so your data is never compromised.  Any questions call Diane Rothaermel or Mary Ann Ross at FIA Office 216-781-6260)

All participants were e-mailed the final report(s) in December at no cost.  To provide results to participants in a significantly timelier manner, FIA has streamlined the survey process by publishing results in electronic format.  All participants were sent final reports via e-mail ONLY. 

In 2010 summary data showed:

• Results in both surveys show many companies are anticipating reinstating compensation or increasing workforce in 2011. 

• The data show an overall Average Straight Time Hourly Rate (ASTHR) for the industry of $18.83.  Average benefit cost per hour is $9.66. Total Average Wage and Benefit costs are $28.50.

Surveyed for the first time in 2010:

• Twenty-five percent of companies have an HSA (high deductible health plan to which employees can contribute).  Thirty-three percent of those companies contribute over $500 to each employee's HSA annually.

Information contained in the reports is valuable for salary reviews, contract negotiations and setting pay for new hires.  Results allow you to benchmark your benefit packages and pay scales against companies like your own.

Non-participating FIA Members may purchase the reports at $500 each.  If you have not received your copy, or would like to purchase reports, please call Mary Ann Foote at 216.781.6260.

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Marketing 

FIA Updates 

FIA Membership plaques are now available with the new association logo.  Still on stainless steel and mounted on black beveled glass, the updated plaque certifies your company is "a member of the Association and is conscientiously participating in its purpose to serve the Metalforging Industry".

While we would like to send each member an updated plaque, the cost is prohibitive.  We can however share the expense and ask you to pay 50% of the cost which is $65.  Contact Billie Hurt at 216.781.6260 or billie@forging.org if you have questions or would like to order. 

FDMC Activities