Industry News

The Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry recently announced that ANSI/MSS SP-55-2025, Quality Standard for Iron and Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components | Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a revised American National Standard (ANS) and published by MSS.

Waupaca Foundry Plant 4 in Marinette, Wisconsin, has been recognized with the 2024 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award (SQEA), marking the third time the company has received this prestigious honor, following recognition in 2018 and 2023.  

The SQEA recognizes GM’s top-performing manufacturing suppliers that meet or exceed rigorous criteria for quality, reliability, and operational excellence. To qualify, suppliers must demonstrate zero defects, 100% on-time delivery, and full compliance with GM’s production standards.

AFS Corporate Member Howell Foundry, St. Francisville, Louisiana, has invested just over $2 million in a Tinker Omega-Sinto thermal sand reclamation system and is on course to achieve ROI within five years of its installation in 2024.

AFS Corporate member Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF), has aqcuired Anderson Global, a North American aluminum foundry tooling manufacturer based in Muskegon, Michigan. Anderson Global will continue to operate as a standalone subsidiary within WAF’s portfolio, and all 80 team members will continue their employment under WAF’s ownership. 

AFS Corporate Member McWane’s Tyler Union celebrated the official opening of its new, 53,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art, large-diameter foundry on April 11 with several dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. The $25-million expansion is projected to create 15 to 25 additional jobs, significantly reduce lead times, and increase capacity for large diameter products, such as fittings and valves.

AFS Corporate Member Eck Industries Inc. announced it has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2. 

“Attaining CMMC Level 2 certification is a significant achievement for Eck Industries and underscores our dedication to cybersecurity excellence,” said Kiley Eck Hayon, president of Eck Industries. “As a trusted partner in the defense supply chain, we recognize the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of national security initiatives.”

Honda has provided a first look at its innovative approach to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) by late 2025 at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, detailing the company’s flexible approach that positions Honda to build internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid-electric, and battery electric vehicles (EVs) on the same production lines. 

AFS Corporate Member Torrance Castings hosted the AFS Engineering Division on February 18 for a plant tour. The foundry received the Engineering and Smart Manufacturing Division’s Plant Engineering Award, which recognizes companies for innovative solutions to modern issues in the foundry industry. 

AFS Corporate Member Wabi Iron & Steel, New Liskeard, Ontario, will receive $3.3 million from FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Fund.

AFS Corporate Member Humtown is continuing its educational youth outreach program in 2025. “Through the Lens of My Friends” is a student peer-to-peer project in which Humtown trains students from nearby middle and high schools, who then give in-depth facility tours to their classmates.

Humtown parlays the tours into a video series showing the knowledge transfer to kids by kids, exposing students to the world of 3D printing as well as the numerous career opportunities in modern manufacturing.