August 2025 Volume 7

FORGING RESEARCH

Closing—Why It Matters Now Defense re‑shoring, aerospace, automotive drivetrains, and infrastructure are stretching the capacity of North America’s forge shops. Talent—not tonnage—will decide who wins. Pull these four levers now, and your hammers will still ring in 2035. Dr. Raymond V. Fryan Jr. FIA’s Workforce Development Committee CEO Kind Special Alloys US, LLC Email: raymond.fryan@kind-special alloys.com Phone: 330-788-2437

• Mentors themselves average a 7 percent wage bump through certified coach status. • One small forging shop saved $180k in scrap by pairing rookies with ‘black‑smith emeritus’ craftsmen during die‑setup weeks. 4 | Obstacles & Blind Spots Not every lever pulls smoothly. Plants in rural corridors struggle with housing shortages; others find that automation, if rolled out without operator input, sparks fear of job loss. Physical strain remains real—peak forge temperatures surpass 120°F—even as exo tech spreads. Finally, public perception lags: guidance counselors seldom mention forging, so shops must become their own PR agencies. 5 | Quick‑Start Checklist for Forge Shops • Audit your career's web page—does it show an honest view of your shop? • Shoot a 60 second ‘day in the life’ reel and post it on LinkedIn, TikTok, and local job boards. • Pair every new hire with a vetted mentor before shift one. • Print QR codes that link to micro training videos. • Start Friday's ‘Forge Round Tables’—10 minutes, coffee and questions. • Map a four year career ladder and share it on day one.

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