August 2021 Volume 3

INDUSTRY NEWS

WillardWalker, Sr. Bill Walker is the Chairman of Walker Forge, Inc., a leader in the manufacture of custom-engineered steel forgings for the energy, transportation, agriculture, rail, military and construction markets. Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Economics in 1955. Prior to joining Walker Forge, Bill worked in Cleveland and New York selling Underwood typewriters from 1955 to 1957. Bill joinedWalker Forge in 1957 and worked in several departments before sales became his primary responsibility. In 1967, Bill became president of Walker Forge, succeeding his father Gordon, who was a founding member of FIERF. Bill later served as a director and president of FIERF. During Bill’s tenure as President of Walker Forge, the company evolved from a supplier of hammer forgings from its Racine, Wisconsin facility and became a supplier of mechanical press forgings from its greenfield Clintonville, Wisconsin facility. In 1978, Bill was elected president of FIA. During his term of office, FIA expanded membership to both suppliers and open die and rolled ring companies. In addition to Bill, three other FIA presidents have come fromWalker Forge: GordonWalker (1958), John Nowak (1996) andWill Walker (2018). During Bill’s lifetime in the forging industry, he has witnessed many changes. They include a significant reduction in the number of forging companies in the US, a movement from hammers to mechanical and hydraulic presses, the use of induction heat, the development of superior die making equipment, and the use of robotics. Bill has been married for sixty-one years toMary, and they have four children: Sara, Will, Alison and Molly. Congratulations to this year’s honorees. The FIA Lifetime Achievement Awards will continue to be presented annually at the FIA Annual Meeting of Members.

FIA Lifetime Achievement Award Criteria: The FIA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and promotes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Forging Industry. • Must be employed by or previously employed by an FIA Member Company • Must be nominated by someone currently working in the Forging Industry • Must have a minimum of 15 years Forging Industry related experience • Must have participated in at least (1) FIA Committee Interested in nominating someone for the award? Please contact Jim Warren at jwarren@forging.org . ■

FIA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2021 63