May 2023 Volume 5

WASHINGTON UPDATE

As we close out the first quarter of 2023, let’s look back at the last few months here at the Forging Industry Association through the government affairs lens. FIA has been heavily involved in three areas: 1) Spreading awareness of capability and capacity of the industry with the White House; 2) Working with America Makes in creating a roadmap for augmenting casting and forging with additive manufacturing and; 3) Urging Congress and the Department of Defense – Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment office – to support a Forging Improvement Program. FIA has remained extremely active and involved in ensuring the preservation and success of our industry. Washington Wrap-Up By Megha Patel

Additive Manufacturing: Complementing Forging FIA and four casting associations partnered with America Makes to help identify opportunities where additive manufacturing technologies can complement, NOT replace, forging and casting manufacturing processes. In fact, FIA members very kindly offered and conducted tours for the AmericaMakes teamto further illustrate that forging cannot be replaced as the manufacturing process is extremely unique and creates unparalleled strength necessary for critical applications, like munitions, but additive manufacturing can be leveraged to aid the forging process. The project seeks to enhance national security interests and wartime readiness for critical defense platforms. America Makes, in partnership with FIA, convened select members from the forging, casting, additive manufacturing and government communities for two sessions: Visioning and Functional Analysis, of interactive workshops. The aims were to identify issues affecting forging and casting supply chains and their common characteristics, map AM opportunities to those issues, define the scope and investment required, and determine what infrastructure is needed to address the identified challenges. A final report and roadmap will be released to FIA later this year.

The Forging Industry Has Capacity for DoD and All Industries In February, FIA and a handful of members met with the White House National Economic Council and Made in America Office to discuss the capabilities and capacities of the forging industry. They all illustrated forgers are thriving and can produce any part required by the Department of Defense at the drop of a hat. Our members and FIA aided in diminishing the false narrative and misconception that forging manufacturers cannot meet the demands of the government. The National Economic Council and Made in America representatives asked about the industry’s pain points and challenges, which members clearly identified as unfair trade and the labor shortage. All indicated that bad foreign actors, mainly China, dumped parts at the fraction of the North American forged part cost. As an example, the cost of a finished, heat treated, and machined component from a Chinese forger is identical to the cost of rawmaterial from a domestic manufacturer. As of now, the Section 301 tariffs are still in effect, which has helped North American forgers compete at a more level playing field. However, a 50% tariff would be further effective than the current 25% rate. The White House officials were receptive to the comments and even followed up by asking for more data and information, which FIA provided based on a recent capacity survey of members. FIA will continue to stay in constant communication with the White House to ensure the forging industry is accurately portrayed as having the capacity to take on any projects the DoD or any industry has for us.

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FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023