Taking adversity together as an industry. (107th AFS Casting Congress).

When I accepted the presidency of AFS almost one year ago, I knew this would be a difficult year. Our foundry industry was in deep trouble, not just because of the economy, but also because the industry was under attack by both foreign and domestic forces. However, I also knew that AFS could help our industry deal with many of these problems. I knew that by working together through AFS, foundry people from across our nation could find workable solutions.

That's why one of my primary goals for my year as president was to increase AFS membership and, more importantly, participation. I knew that while I didn't have the solutions to our industry's problems, getting foundry people together to work on finding solutions would get us moving in the right direction. I also had no doubt that people would want to help. After all, some problems, such as the proposed changes in national emission standards, could only be addressed through group action.

Unfortunately, I was not able to achieve my goal. The best I could do was help to maintain our membership level. I also found that I could not significantly increase participation in AFS committees and task forces. The same people who have always stepped forward to lend a hand and provide leadership and direction, again were pretty much on their own in tackling this year's serious issues.

I understand that when times are tough, people want to devote all their energies to keeping the home fires burning. Many see spending money on association dues and incurring travel expenses to attend meetings in these tough times as wasteful and unproductive. With a foundry closing every week, it's not surprising that AFS participation may not seem a priority. But that's just wrong!

If our industry and our individual companies are going to be ready to rebound when the economy recovers, as it ultimately will, we must solve our most challenging problems, which are:

* castings being dumped on the world market by government owned or subsidized foundries in third world countries;

* proposed U.S. Government emission standards in this country that would greatly increase our production costs (assuming the standards even can be met) and make foundries less competitive in the world market.

Individual foundries working alone cannot solve either of these problems. They must be addressed by the industry as a whole. These problems require political solutions, which are most effectively presented by a strong, active and unified foundry society.

Unfortunately, without the widespread support and participation of its members, AFS cannot be as effective as it could be. For example, while some 90% of American foundries are hurt by casting imports, just 65 foundries out of approximately 2500 provided any financial support to the AFS Trade Commission working to end dumping by third world foundries.

I do not believe today's problems with China will last for an extended period of time, primarily because the Chinese people are people that want things. They want cars, homes and washing machines. This, of course, will drive their economy and should open opportunities for us. We will see their salaries rise, and perhaps their money will then begin to float. However, we must continue our work in this area because, after China, there will be some other country to take its place.

It's not just financial support that is needed. It's a personal effort as well. How many AFS members have invited their local Congressmen to visit their foundries and see the work they do and the jobs they provide?

Nevertheless, the efforts of a very small group of people, working through AFS to create practical and effective emission standards, have already brought about several important changes in the proposed standards. One change, separating the emission standards for aluminum casters from the more demanding standards for aluminum smelters (Aluminum MACT), will save casters millions of dollars they would have been required to spend on emissions control systems.

My message then is this: all of us who make our living in the foundry industry owe a debt to our industry. We have a responsibility to give something back and to prepare a better place for those who will follow in our footsteps. We can repay this debt by supporting MS and actively participating in its work. We can contribute to the Foundry Education Foundation and send workers to Cast Metals Institute courses. We can do any number of things, but we must each do something for the industry as a whole.

We can no longer accomplish all we need to with only 10% participation. No longer can we afford to have 90% of the work done by the 10% of our people who are making a contribution. The time to step up to the plate is now. We need to be concerned about where our grandchildren will be working.

Paul B. Cervellero, APS President

Inductotherm Corp.

Rancocas, New Jersey