Walker Die Casting, the epitome of the Lewisburg Business Park manufacturers, is installing two energy efficient furnaces, the company president and city electric system manager said Monday when asked about a Tennessee Valley Authority program.
“Over a period of time, it will save them a chunk of money,” Lewisburg Electric Service General Manager Richard Turner said while responding to questions about TVA’s EnergyRight Solutions for Business and Industry. “They will be reimbursed by saving the energy every month.”
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Pivot Bearing Insert allows Die Cast Hinges
The Pivot Bearing Insert (PBI) is a revolutionary new die casting invention that allows movable linkages (e.g. hinges or joints) to be made entirely in a single die casting step.Before the PBI, it was not possible to create movable hinges by simple die casting.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Natural Gas Falls On Concerns Stockpiles More Than Adequate To Meet Demand
Bloomberg News (10/18, Buurma) reports natural gas prices “dropped for the first time in three days in New York on speculation that stockpiles will approach a record before winter heating demand reduces inventories.” Natural gas for November delivery lost 1.5 cents, or 0.4 percent, to settle at $3.688 per million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures fell “as an Energy Department report last week showed that US stockpiles climbed by 112 billion cubic feet in the week ended Oct. 7, more than a five- year average gain of 72 billion. Supplies may rise to 3.77 trillion at the end of October, according to the department, near a record 3.84 trillion last November, Bloomberg data show.”
According to the Dow Jones Newswires (10/18, Berthelsen, Subscription Publication), futures settled lower Monday as a rally driven by traders covering short positions slowed down.
Reuters (10/18, Silha) also covers this storyng and are traditionally among the hardest manufacturing jobs to find existing talent to fill.”
Bloomberg News (10/18, Buurma) reports natural gas prices “dropped for the first time in three days in New York on speculation that stockpiles will approach a record before winter heating demand reduces inventories.” Natural gas for November delivery lost 1.5 cents, or 0.4 percent, to settle at $3.688 per million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures fell “as an Energy Department report last week showed that US stockpiles climbed by 112 billion cubic feet in the week ended Oct. 7, more than a five- year average gain of 72 billion. Supplies may rise to 3.77 trillion at the end of October, according to the department, near a record 3.84 trillion last November, Bloomberg data show.”
According to the Dow Jones Newswires (10/18, Berthelsen, Subscription Publication), futures settled lower Monday as a rally driven by traders covering short positions slowed down.
Reuters (10/18, Silha) also covers this storyng and are traditionally among the hardest manufacturing jobs to find existing talent to fill.”
Pivot Bearing Insert allows Die Cast Hinges
The Pivot Bearing Insert (PBI) is a revolutionary new die casting invention that allows movable linkages (e.g. hinges or joints) to be made entirely in a single die casting step.Before the PBI, it was not possible to create movable hinges by simple die casting.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Die Casting – Shaping America’s Future
America’s most fundamental industry, metal casting, continues to play a critical role in the success of U.S. manufacturing through the production of high quality castings and support of key industry sectors. In fact, castings are used in 90% of all finished manufactured products.
To view the rest of this piece, click here.
The Copper Development Association did more than just spread the word at The Business of Plugging In 2011 about the value of copper induction motors now used by Tesla Motors in their electric vehicles. It gave new insight to attendees of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) conference.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Report: EPA Took Short Cut On Climate Finding
The AP (9/28, Cappiello) reported that “an internal government watchdog says that the” EPA “cut corners when it produced a key scientific document underpinning its decision to regulate climate-changing pollution.” AP said the Inspector General report noted “the agency circumvented a more robust review process that was warranted for a technical paper supporting a costly and controversial decision to control greenhouse gases for the first time.” The White House and the EPA “disagreed with the report’s conclusions.”
The Washington Post (9/28, Eilperin) quoted the study as saying: “This review did not meet all [Office of Management and Budget] requirements for peer review of a highly influential scientific assessment” mainly because “the review results and EPA’s response were not publicly reported, and because 1 of the 12 reviewers was an EPA employee.” The Post said that although the investigation — “requested by the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, James M. Inhofe (Okla.) — will do little to affect federal climate regulation, it provides” ammunition “to those who question the government’s role in addressing global warming.”
The Wall Street Journal (9/29, Tracy) reported the report’s conclusions could provide ammunition to Republicans who oppose stricter rules to rein in greenhouse gases. The journal said the document at the center of the controversy was developed by the agency to support its findings that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide can adversely affect public health. The conclusions from the document helped EPA to set benchmarks for power plants and other greenhouse gas producers.
The Washington Times (9/28, Dinan) reported that investigators, however, “did not question EPA’s scientific conclusions that human-caused global warming is occurring, and said the agency did follow basic rules.” Still the “investigators said EPA didn’t treat the finding as seriously as the situation required, and failed to meet administration guidelines for peer review of such a major issue.” The paper said the EPA “rejected the report,” pointing out that “the science it did use was peer reviewed, and that its findings were based on the work of other major bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”
The Hill (9/28, Geman) reports in its “E2 Wire” blog that Inhofe “said the report nonetheless ‘calls the scientific integrity of EPA’s decision-making process into question and undermines the credibility of the endangerment finding.'” He said Wednesday he is asking the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, “the committee of jurisdiction over the EPA, to hold immediate hearings to address EPA’s failure to provide the required documentation and have the science impartially reviewed
Die Casting – Shaping America’s Future
America’s most fundamental industry, metal casting, continues to play a critical role in the success of U.S. manufacturing through the production of high quality castings and support of key industry sectors. In fact, castings are used in 90% of all finished manufactured products.
To view the rest of this piece, click here.
Take a look beneath the floorboards of the prefabricated residential deck system from SigmaDek Ltd. There is no wood. With an aerospace inspired design, SigmaDek has replaced lumber with an aluminum substructure of die cast and extruded components to reduce lifetime maintenance, simplify fabrication, and increase safety.
US Automakers Sales Up
The CBS Evening News (9/1, story 4, 2:10, Pelley) reported, “One bright spot in the economy is the auto industry.”
The New York Times (9/2, B3, Bunkley, Subscription Publication) reports, “General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler all posted impressive gains from a year earlier in their August data released on Thursday. Industrywide, sales rose 7.5 percent from a year ago and 1.2 percent from July, according to the Autodata Corporation, which tracks auto sales.” GM sales increased “18 percent, and Ford reported an 11.1 percent increase. But both companies are having trouble keeping up with demand for their respective compact cars, the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, among other models.” The Times reports, “Chrysler said its August sales rose 30.6 percent, including a 58 percent increase for its Jeep brand of sport utility vehicles. It was the 17th consecutive month of year-over-year increases for Chrysler, which is gathering momentum after being written off by many critics.”
The Detroit Free Press (9/2, Thompson) reports US vehicle “sales finished last month at a 12.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, according to Autodata, even with analysts’ expectations. That’s a slight decline from July’s 12.2-million pace.” But, “after three years of sales below previously normal rates of 15 million to 16 million, auto executives said they believed consumers would continue to trickle back into the market this year.”
The Detroit News (9/2, Priddle, Hoffman, Rogers) reports, “Toyota Motor Corp.’s sales tumbled 12.7 percent in August to 129,483 vehicles. US sales for the Toyota brand fell 13.6 percent; while sales for its luxury division Lexus were down 7 percent last month.” Honda Motor Co.’s sales fell “even further, down 24.3 percent in August over the same month in 2010. Honda sold 82,321 vehicles in August, compared to 108,729 a year ago.” While “Nissan Motor Co. was the only major Japanese automaker to gain sales last month. It reported a 19.2 percent rise in sales of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in August, to 91,541.”
Bloomberg News (9/2) reports, “Hyundai Motor Co.’s August deliveries increased 9.1 percent to 58,505 vehicles, the company said in a statement. Kia Motors Corp. said in a statement its August sales rose 27 percent to 41,188. Combined sales for the two Seoul-based partners, which operate separately in the US, totaled 99,693, behind only GM, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota for the month.”
On The Job Hunt: Unfilled Jobs Across America, Are You Qualified?
Every day we hear the steady drumbeat. Unemployment over 9 percent. People who can’t find jobs exhausting their unemployment benefits. Going months – even years without work. Losing their homes to foreclosure. Marital and family breakups. Homelessness. It is tragic. No question.
But here’s a bizarre twist. While millions of people can’t find work, there are many American companies who can’t find people to fill open jobs. Thousands of jobs. Good paying jobs.
Read more here.
The AP (9/2, Cappiello, Pace) reported President Obama, “in a dramatic reversal,” shelved “a clean-air regulation that aimed to reduce health-threatening smog, yielding to bitterly protesting businesses and congressional Republicans who complained the rule would kill jobs in America’s ailing economy. Withdrawal of the proposed regulation marked the latest in a string of retreats by the president in the face of GOP opposition, and it drew quick criticism from liberals.”
Bloomberg News (9/2, Drajem) reported the President “said he is seeking to reduce regulatory burdens as the economy recovers, and said the EPA would weigh tighter standards on ozone, which causes smog, in two years.”
On its front page, the New York Times (9/2, A1, Broder, Subscription Publication) reported the Administration “is abandoning its plan to immediately tighten air-quality rules nationwide to reduce emissions of smog-causing chemicals after an intense lobbying campaign by industry, which said the new rule would cost billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs.” The EPA, “following the recommendation of its scientific advisers, had proposed lowering the so-called ozone standard from that set by the Bush administration.” Leaders of business groups – including “the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute and the Business Roundtable – met with” EPA administrator Lisa Jackson “and with top White House officials this summer seeking to moderate, delay or kill the rule. They told William M. Daley, the White House chief of staff, that the rule would be very costly to industry and would hurt Mr. Obama’s chances for a second term.”
The Christian Science Monitor (9/2, Clayton) reported, “Industry groups were heartened by the move. The National Association of Manufacturers” and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association “applauded the president’s decision and called for elimination of more pollution regulations now in the pipeline.”
The Daily Caller (9/3, Boyle) noted, “A Manufacturers Alliance study estimated that the EPA ozone regulations would eliminate 7.3 million jobs by 2020, something a coalition between the National Association of Manufacturers and 35 state-level manufacturing associations cites in a letter to Obama urging him to stop these regulations.” The New York Post (9/2, Schachter) “Capital Punishment” blog also noted the study.
Harley-Davidson Sees Resurgence In Domestic Sales
The AP (7/20) reports that Harley-Davidson saw domestic sales rise for the firsttime in five years, which “more than doubled” the company’s second-quarter profit. The higher demand has eaten into”what were already low dealer inventories,” spurring Harley-Davidson to increase production levels slightly. CEO KeithWandell said keeping production in line with demand would be a priority for the company. “But more importantly,” headded, “as we get through our manufacturing transformation, one of the important things to note is that we’ll then havethe flexibility to be able to flex up and down much more quickly as these demand patterns and or seasonal patterns occur.”
The Wall Street Journal (8/11, Sweet, Subscription Publication) reports that Ford Motor Co. and SunPower Corp. announced yesterday a partnership to sell solar-powered cars. Under the arrangement, customers who buy or lease a Ford Focus electric will also be able to buy a rooftop solar-power generator from SunPower and charging system from Best Buy at the Ford dealership. The SunPower system is expected to cost around $10,000 though Ford has not said what the Focus electric will cost.
The Arizona Republic (8/11, Randazzo) adds, “SunPower and Ford officials hope to capitalize on the overlap in their customer base of environmentally minded customers who support American companies, said SunPower President and CEO Tom Werner.” Werner added, “Almost half the electric-car buyers are likely to go solar.” Because EV owners are expected to charge their cars at night and the solar panels produce power during the day, they will “not directly power the cars, just offset what the cars use at night when recharging.”
The San Jose Mercury News (8/11, Hull) says the solar array will be “deeply discounted” as the company “charges at least $18,000 for a system of that size.” The company “hopes customers will add additional solar panels to cover their household energy use.” One expert is cited saying that “electric vehicles also drastically shorten the payback period of solar panels. So while EVs and solar each stands on its own merits, they make even more sense together.”
NYTimes: Robots Present Additional Challenge To Chinese Workforce
The New York Times (8/15, Subscription Publication) editorializes that the recent announcement by “Terry Gou, the founder and chairman of Foxconn, which employs one million workers in China making Apple iPads, HP computers and other electronic devices” that his company “would deploy a million robots at his plants by 2013 to do much of the labor currently performed by human hands” is disheartening considering “a Department of Labor study estimated that manufacturing workers in China earned $1.36 an hour in 2008 – about 4 percent of what an American worker made.”ÂDespite these figures, the Times says “wages are rising” seemingly “because the new manufacturing jobs are far from where the underemployed farmers live.”ÂThe Times states that “as robots take over more work, the millions trapped in the countryside will have even fewer opportunities.”
Harley-Davidson Sees Resurgence In Domestic Sales
The AP (7/20) reports that Harley-Davidson saw domestic sales rise for the firsttime in five years, which “more than doubled” the company’s second-quarter profit. The higher demand has eaten into”what were already low dealer inventories,” spurring Harley-Davidson to increase production levels slightly. CEO KeithWandell said keeping production in line with demand would be a priority for the company. “But more importantly,” headded, “as we get through our manufacturing transformation, one of the important things to note is that we’ll then havethe flexibility to be able to flex up and down much more quickly as these demand patterns and or seasonal patterns occur.”
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report Provides Insight on Current and Future Shipping Data
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available. This report detailsthe shipments, by alloy, of die castings in 2007 through 2010.It also includes a custom versus captive breakdown,and industry sales estimates. The report includes projections for shipments in 2011 and a forecast for 2012.
NADCA conducted its annual shipment survey of die casting operations in the United States and Canada in March, 2011. This survey is the fourth annual comprehensive attempt to gain industry trend data from as many die casting operations as possible.Over 150 aluminum die casters provided their data for 2010.Over 75 zinc die casters sent in their data and ten magnesium die casters provided shipment levels for 2010.The data was reviewed for consistency and calculations were made on the total shipment data for each type of metal (aluminum, zinc and magnesium.The report indicates that in 2010 there was a:
- 40% shipment increase of aluminum die castings
- 34% shipment increase of zinc die castings
- Slight drop in shipments of magnesium die castings
This report assists in providing the most current insight on the North American die casting industry while also enabling companies to forecast future shipments in specific markets and overall.The 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available for the modest price of: $30 for Corporate Members, $45 for Individual Members and $60 for Non Members. Visit: http://www.diecasting.org/publications publication # 880-2 to download your copy today!
The New York Times (8/3, Bunkley, Subscription Publication) says that while”sales of new vehicles in the United States rose in July,” they “were still hampered by economic concerns” andare struggling. GM posted gains of 7.6 percent, Ford posted gains of 6.1 percent, and Chrysler’s sales rose themost, 20.1 percent. The Times quotes former GM sales analyst Paul Ballew as saying, “The recovery is clearly ina stall mode. It’s hard to see sales sprinting forward without some help on job and income growth. There’s a lotof wind that’s really out of the consumer’s sails right now.”
The Wall Street Journal (8/3, Boudette, Bennett, Subscription Publication) notes that Toyota and Honda saw large declines in sales because of shortages in their inventory. The Journal notes that auto makers sold 0.9% more cars and light trucks this July than they did last year.
The Detroit Free Press (8/3, Thompson) notes that “Japanese automakers continued to lose share to their American rivals as they recovered from the March earthquake and tsunami in their country.” Don Johnson, GM’s vice president of US sales operations is quoted as saying about the debt-ceiling debate in Washington, “Uncertainty in our business is always bad for consumers. Hopefully with that behind us, some of those consumers are going to come back into the market.”
Upcoming NADCA Webinars – Short Run Tooling for Die Castings
In its continuing technology transfer efforts, NADCA is continually holding a series of webinars to provide additional opportunities for individuals to obtain information.
Attending a webinar is an excellent way to obtain vital information without the hassle or cost of travel. These 60 minute presentations will not only address vital information on the topic, but also provide adequate time for questions, answers, and discussion.
Upcoming webinars:
- August 10 – Short Run Tooling for Die Castings – Why Short Run Tooling? [$29.00]
- August 17 – Short Run Tooling for Die Castings – Short Run Tooling Lessons Learned: Case Studies [$29.00]
- August 24 – Energy [$19.99]
- September 7 – How to Size the Die Casting Machine to Your Part – Selecting the Shot End [$29.00]
Click here to view the upcoming schedule of webinars.
Harley-Davidson Sees Resurgence In Domestic Sales
The AP (7/20) reports that Harley-Davidson saw domestic sales rise for the firsttime in five years, which “more than doubled” the company’s second-quarter profit. The higher demand has eaten into”what were already low dealer inventories,” spurring Harley-Davidson to increase production levels slightly. CEO KeithWandell said keeping production in line with demand would be a priority for the company. “But more importantly,” headded, “as we get through our manufacturing transformation, one of the important things to note is that we’ll then havethe flexibility to be able to flex up and down much more quickly as these demand patterns and or seasonal patterns occur.”
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report Provides Insight on Current and Future Shipping Data
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available. This report detailsthe shipments, by alloy, of die castings in 2007 through 2010.It also includes a custom versus captive breakdown,and industry sales estimates. The report includes projections for shipments in 2011 and a forecast for 2012.
NADCA conducted its annual shipment survey of die casting operations in the United States and Canada in March, 2011. This survey is the fourth annual comprehensive attempt to gain industry trend data from as many die casting operations as possible.Over 150 aluminum die casters provided their data for 2010.Over 75 zinc die casters sent in their data and ten magnesium die casters provided shipment levels for 2010.The data was reviewed for consistency and calculations were made on the total shipment data for each type of metal (aluminum, zinc and magnesium.The report indicates that in 2010 there was a:
- 40% shipment increase of aluminum die castings
- 34% shipment increase of zinc die castings
- Slight drop in shipments of magnesium die castings
This report assists in providing the most current insight on the North American die casting industry while also enabling companies to forecast future shipments in specific markets and overall.The 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available for the modest price of: $30 for Corporate Members, $45 for Individual Members and $60 for Non Members. Visit: http://www.diecasting.org/publications publication # 880-2 to download your copy today!
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (7/21, Taschler) reports that “things arelooking up” for Modern Equipment Co. of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This week, Modern Equipment “is preparinga 75-ton melting furnace for shipment to an automotive manufacturer.” The company “has called back a numberof employees laid off during the downturn and is looking to hire welders and machinists – just like nearlyeveryone in Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector.”
Dynacast Acquisition Completed
Charlotte, NC – July 19, 2011 – Dynacast International Inc. (Dynacast)announced the completion of the acquisition of the Dynacast business from Melrose PLC. The company’s acquirersare affiliates of Kenner & Company, Inc., a New York-based investment firm, together with Izurium CapitalManagement and a number of other institutional investors.
The completion of this acquisition puts Dynacast in a strong position for growth, backed by significant investor support and ample capital. Dynacast will continue to operate as an independent company led by its existing management team.
“On behalf of the executive team and the 3,000 employees of Dynacast worldwide, we are delighted at the prospect of working with Kenner & Company and the other investors,” said Simon J. Newman, CEO. “We believe that we have significant growth opportunities ahead of us and we are excited and confident that we will execute these opportunities over the next few years.”
Jeffrey L. Kenner, President of Kenner & Company, Inc. said he was pleased to complete the transaction and praised management for their enthusiastic support and business discipline. “We look forward to working together with Dynacast management to accomplish their growth objectives,” said Kenner.
Financing for the transaction was provided by JP Morgan, Macquarie Capital, GE Capital, and Bank of Montreal.
About Dynacast
Dynacast is a global manufacturer of small engineered die cast components. We serve customers in automotive safety and electronics, consumer electronics, healthcare, hardware, computers and peripherals and many other industries. Our extensive engineering expertise and use of specialized manufacturing technologies enable us to design and manufacture customized, small, high precision components with complex geometries in a cost effective manner. With Global Headquarters in Charlotte, NC, Dynacast operates 20 manufacturing facilities in 16 countries around the world. Please visit www.dynacast.com to learn more.
Contact:
For Dynacast – Suzi McNicholas, 704-927-2785 or smcnicholas@dynacast.com
Harley-Davidson Sees Resurgence In Domestic Sales
The AP (7/20) reports that Harley-Davidson saw domestic sales rise for the firsttime in five years, which “more than doubled” the company’s second-quarter profit. The higher demand has eaten into”what were already low dealer inventories,” spurring Harley-Davidson to increase production levels slightly. CEO KeithWandell said keeping production in line with demand would be a priority for the company. “But more importantly,” headded, “as we get through our manufacturing transformation, one of the important things to note is that we’ll then havethe flexibility to be able to flex up and down much more quickly as these demand patterns and or seasonal patterns occur.”
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report Provides Insight on Current and Future Shipping Data
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available. This report detailsthe shipments, by alloy, of die castings in 2007 through 2010.It also includes a custom versus captive breakdown,and industry sales estimates. The report includes projections for shipments in 2011 and a forecast for 2012.
NADCA conducted its annual shipment survey of die casting operations in the United States and Canada in March, 2011. This survey is the fourth annual comprehensive attempt to gain industry trend data from as many die casting operations as possible.Over 150 aluminum die casters provided their data for 2010.Over 75 zinc die casters sent in their data and ten magnesium die casters provided shipment levels for 2010.The data was reviewed for consistency and calculations were made on the total shipment data for each type of metal (aluminum, zinc and magnesium.The report indicates that in 2010 there was a:
- 40% shipment increase of aluminum die castings
- 34% shipment increase of zinc die castings
- Slight drop in shipments of magnesium die castings
This report assists in providing the most current insight on the North American die casting industry while also enabling companies to forecast future shipments in specific markets and overall.The 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available for the modest price of: $30 for Corporate Members, $45 for Individual Members and $60 for Non Members. Visit: http://www.diecasting.org/publications publication # 880-2 to download your copy today!
The AP (6/21) reports, “LightSquared, a Virginia-based company that plansto build a nationwide wireless broadband network, is proposing to adapt its network so as not to interferewith GPS systems.” To do that, it will “move some of its operations to a different slice of airwaves and…transmitsignals at lower power levels.”
BMW Investing In Own Carbon Fiber Factory
Bloomberg News (6/15, Reiter) reports BMW is investing $100 million tobuild “its own carbon fiber factory” in order “to secure supply of the lightweight material and lower expensesby refining the production process.” In entering the commodity business, BMW is looking to the low-weightmaterial as one of its primary avenues for meeting higher efficiency standards in the future. Bloomberg notes,”BMW has partnered with SGL Carbon SE (SGL), the only Europe- based producer of the material, to build theplant, prompting VW to buy 9.9 percent of SGL to ensure its own access.” VW and other carmakers have similarplans for carbon fiber. “The capacity to produce carbon fiber isn’t that big, so manufacturers are lookingto secure access,” said Robert Outram, of Frost & Sullivan. “There are not many people who do it well. It’sa long-term strategy play.”
Innovative Die Castings Wanted!
To be a winner in today’s economy, you must meet and even exceedexpectations. In a competitive global market, customers take notice of the best. NADCA knows that competitionimproves the competitor. With its annual International Die Casting Design Competition, it recognizes andrewards the outstanding casting designs of the year. Each entry is judged on its design, quality, cost savings,ingenuity, innovation and industry-changing potential.
Entering and winning is one of the best ways to gain visibility with leading decision-makers. The competition is open to aluminum, magnesium and zinc die castings. Any number of castings may be entered. However a separate entry form is required for each casting or assembly of castings. In addition, the metal surface cannot be improved or concealed by tumbling, shot blasting, coating or other surface treatments.
Judging is conducted by an independent panel of experts from the die casting industry, with no ties to eligible companies. The four equally weighed criteria are ingenuity of casting/product design; overall quality; cost savings; and market-expanding potential.Winning castings will be displayed during the 2011 Die Casting Congress & Tabletop in Columbus, OH and winners will be honored during the Die Casting Design Luncheon.NADCA’s Die Casting Engineer Magazine,Website and the Design Website will also feature the winning castings.
This competition helps promote increased use of die castings by recognizing and publicizing outstanding designs. For more information on the 2011 International Die Casting Design Competition please visit, www.diecastingdesign.org/castings/competition or contact Alex Monroe at monroe@diecasting.org for more details.
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report Provides Insight on Current and Future Shipping Data
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available. This report detailsthe shipments, by alloy, of die castings in 2007 through 2010.It also includes a custom versus captive breakdown,and industry sales estimates. The report includes projections for shipments in 2011 and a forecast for 2012.
NADCA conducted its annual shipment survey of die casting operations in the United States and Canada in March, 2011. This survey is the fourth annual comprehensive attempt to gain industry trend data from as many die casting operations as possible.Over 150 aluminum die casters provided their data for 2010.Over 75 zinc die casters sent in their data and ten magnesium die casters provided shipment levels for 2010.The data was reviewed for consistency and calculations were made on the total shipment data for each type of metal (aluminum, zinc and magnesium.The report indicates that in 2010 there was a:
- 40% shipment increase of aluminum die castings
- 34% shipment increase of zinc die castings
- Slight drop in shipments of magnesium die castings
This report assists in providing the most current insight on the North American die casting industry while also enabling companies to forecast future shipments in specific markets and overall.The 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available for the modest price of: $30 for Corporate Members, $45 for Individual Members and $60 for Non Members. Visit: http://www.diecasting.org/publications publication # 880-2 to download your copy today!
The AP (6/10) reports Alcoa “said Thursday that it has developed newalloys and engineering techniques that will give it a chance to compete against the non-aluminum partsincreasingly used by airplane makers.” The article notes plane makers like Boeing and Airbus are using “acarbon fiber composite” in their newer planes instead of aluminum. Under the new process, Alcoa has reducedthe weight by 10%. The company “said the new improvements are targeted at short-range aircraft.” John Byrne,Boeing’s director of aircraft materials and structures for commercial airplanes, “said Boeing is ‘delightedto hear about the investments and advances Alcoa and other raw-material suppliers are making.'” According tothe article, while Boeing has made no decision about its materials for future planes, it is always looking atthese types of developments.
According to the Wall Street Journal (6/10, Matthews, Subscription Publication), the new technique is part of Alcoa’s effort to reclaim aerospace market share. Under the new process, Alcoa has mixed alloys like titanium to reduce the weight, make it less corrosive, and increase the time needed between maintenance checks.
Also covering the story are Reuters (6/9, James), the Pittsburgh Business Times (6/10, Spencer, Subscription Publication), and Air Transport Intelligence (6/10, Ostrower).
Big Ass Fans Succeeding Through Savvy Marketing, R&D Focus
Bloomberg News (6/9, Gonsalves) reports on fan manufacturer Big Ass Fans,which has succeeded in “wooing homeowners, companies, and government buyers” while “selling all manner of fans,from ceiling behemoths up to 24 feet in diameter to portable versions on wheels.” Experts say that the company’ssuccess stems from a combination of savvy marketing, reliability, and a focus on innovation. According toPresident and CEO Carey Smith, the company spends “about 8 percent of its annual revenue on research anddevelopment,” something analysts say has been key to its success. “Companies like Big Ass Fans have figured outthat the best way to be competitive is to do more product differentiation — through branding, variety, andquality — and put something unique in the market that cannot be commoditized,” said Georgia Institute ofTechnology economics professor Vivek Ghosal.
Innovative Die Castings Wanted!
To be a winner in today’s economy, you must meet and even exceedexpectations. In a competitive global market, customers take notice of the best. NADCA knows that competitionimproves the competitor. With its annual International Die Casting Design Competition, it recognizes andrewards the outstanding casting designs of the year. Each entry is judged on its design, quality, cost savings,ingenuity, innovation and industry-changing potential.
Entering and winning is one of the best ways to gain visibility with leading decision-makers. The competition is open to aluminum, magnesium and zinc die castings. Any number of castings may be entered. However a separate entry form is required for each casting or assembly of castings. In addition, the metal surface cannot be improved or concealed by tumbling, shot blasting, coating or other surface treatments.
Judging is conducted by an independent panel of experts from the die casting industry, with no ties to eligible companies. The four equally weighed criteria are ingenuity of casting/product design; overall quality; cost savings; and market-expanding potential.Winning castings will be displayed during the 2011 Die Casting Congress & Tabletop in Columbus, OH and winners will be honored during the Die Casting Design Luncheon.NADCA’s Die Casting Engineer Magazine,Website and the Design Website will also feature the winning castings.
This competition helps promote increased use of die castings by recognizing and publicizing outstanding designs. For more information on the 2011 International Die Casting Design Competition please visit, www.diecastingdesign.org/castings/competition or contact Alex Monroe at monroe@diecasting.org for more details.
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report Provides Insight on Current and Future Shipping Data
NADCA’s 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available. This report detailsthe shipments, by alloy, of die castings in 2007 through 2010.It also includes a custom versus captive breakdown,and industry sales estimates. The report includes projections for shipments in 2011 and a forecast for 2012.
NADCA conducted its annual shipment survey of die casting operations in the United States and Canada in March, 2011. This survey is the fourth annual comprehensive attempt to gain industry trend data from as many die casting operations as possible.Over 150 aluminum die casters provided their data for 2010.Over 75 zinc die casters sent in their data and ten magnesium die casters provided shipment levels for 2010.The data was reviewed for consistency and calculations were made on the total shipment data for each type of metal (aluminum, zinc and magnesium.The report indicates that in 2010 there was a:
- 40% shipment increase of aluminum die castings
- 34% shipment increase of zinc die castings
- Slight drop in shipments of magnesium die castings
This report assists in providing the most current insight on the North American die casting industry while also enabling companies to forecast future shipments in specific markets and overall.The 2011 Die Casting Shipment Report is now available for the modest price of: $30 for Corporate Members, $45 for Individual Members and $60 for Non Members. Visit: http://www.diecasting.org/publications publication # 880-2 to download your copy today!
