Industry News

Humtown Recognized as 2024 Manufacturing Leadership Awards Finalist

The Manufacturing Leadership Council announced AFS Corporate Member Humtown is among the finalists in the 2024 Manufacturing Leadership Awards for their outstanding achievements in the Transformational Business Cultures Category.  
“This is the team of finalists who is leading us all into a new and better direction in the manufacturing future,” said Humtown President Mark Lamoncha. 

AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Selected for Federal Decarbonization Funding

AFS Corporate member AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company’s “Right Way” Next Generation Melt Project is one of 33 projects selected for award negotiation by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). In total, the selected projects are eligible to receive up to $6 billion to accelerate decarbonization projects and provide American manufacturers with a competitive advantage in the emerging clean energy economy.

Wisconsin Aluminum invests $1.5 million at Wabash Castings, reduces environmental footprint

Wabash Castings Inc., Wabash, Indiana, has installed a new, $1.5 million JOEST Complete Shaker System that will improve operations and reduce landfill waste. The new shaker system allows the aluminum casting manufacturer to reclaim and reuse approximately 500 tons of sand per month, removing it from the landfill stream. 

Le Sueur buys Craft Pattern and Mold

AFS Corporate Member Le Sueur Inc. (LSI), a supplier of complex aluminum castings, machined castings, and plastic injection molded components, has completed the acquisition of Craft Pattern and Mold (Craft). 

Craft, based in Montrose, Minnesota, is a rapid prototyping and complex metal and plastics component manufacturer. Craft has over 30 years of industry experience and has established itself, along with its skilled employees, as a leader in delivering high-quality parts to customers. 

Metal Technologies acquires Key 3 Castings

AFS Corporate Member Metal Technologies Inc. (MTI) of Auburn, Indiana, has acquired Key 3 Casting LLC, which owns and operates two aluminum die and squeeze casting facilities as well as a ductile iron foundry. 

The facilities involved in the sale include Jackson Die Casting LLC in Jackson, Tennessee; Minneapolis Die Casting LLC in Minneapolis; and Northern Foundry in Hibbing, Minnesota. The combined operations have approximately $74 million in annual sales and 300 employees. 

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry to build, renovate with $11 million tax credit

Cinnaire, a nonprofit community development financial organization, has secured an $11 million New Markets Tax Credit Investment for AFS Corporate Member Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF), based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. With it, the foundry will be able to expand with more manufacturing and office square footage. With the expansion comes 80 new jobs. 

Progressive Foundry renovates for future growth

AFS Corporate Member Progressive Foundry, Perry, Iowa, is launching another phase of its renovation improvements late this fall, with a $2.5 million investment to update its shakeout system. The company has purchased a new Didion media drum and several new conveyors from General Kinematics for the project, which is aimed at reducing casting breakage and lowering shotblasting cycle times.