May 2024 Volume 6

INDUSTRY NEWS

FIA’s Mexico Advisory Committee – Three Years In By Rodrigo González

It’s an honor to start my third year as the chair of the Mexico Advi sory Committee. Our committee is very proud of working with FIA staff to create high-value conferences and arranging plant tours in 2022 and 2023 in Mexico. Members of the committee include the following: • Rodrigo González, Nutec Bickley – Committee Chair • Joseph Schwegman, Quality Steel Products Inc. (FIA Board ex-officio) • Pete Campbell, Campbell Press Repair • Jerry Rewerts, Socitec US LLC • Jose Lozano, Specialty Ring Products

tours: Tremec, Dana and Case New Holland. Presentations can be made in either Spanish or English (simultaneous translation service/ headsets provided). Some of the topics of interest to attendees include the following:

• Technology Investment • Industry Sector Updates • Supply Chain • Lean Manufacturing • Business Leadership/Six-Sigma • Quality Control • Equipment (Presses, Hammers, Heating Equipment) • Tooling • Lubrication • Materials

• Javier Prieto, SMS Group • Antonio Alvarez, FRISA • Jorge Gonzalez, Ringmasters • Hector Ibarra, Cleveland Hardware & Forging Co. • Charles Short, Gerdau • Giuliano Costantino, Gerdau

• Software & Simulation • Automation/Robotics • Heating Technology • Machining

• Jim Warren & Gabby Schultz – FIA Staff Liaisons Some of the committee’s initiatives include the following: • Advise FIA staff on conferences and other training to offer in Mexico • Advise on Forging University courses to translate into Spanish • Help push out messaging on scholarships available to students in Mexico studying engineering and skilled trades • Facilitate FIA introductions to schools in Mexico FIA could be working with • Inform FIA on the political climate in Mexico and help with future lobby days or other ways to influence the legislative body in Mexico to ensure the forging industry continues to be a viable industry in Mexico With a presidential election coming in Mexico in June, and then in the U.S. in November, we’ll have plenty of policy and political news

The deadline to submit an abstract for consideration is May 31, 2024 . To submit your presentation abstract for consideration, complete the online form or enter the following URL address: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/72QQZ2W Conference plans for 2025 include heading back to Monterrey for more plant tours and a first look at Frisa’s big new bar mill currently under installation in its Garcia, Nuevo Le Ó n facility. Join Us at Our Next Mexico Advisory Committee Meeting! We are looking for new committee recruits to assist us growing the committee and our value proposition back to the membership and growth in Mexico. The next committee meeting is June 13th at 1:00 p.m. (EDT). Contact Jim Warren at jwarren@forging.org to join the meeting. Rodrigo González Vice President - Engineering & Project Operations Nutec Bickley Email: RodrigoGonzalez@nutec.com

to discuss at our September conference! ForjaMex Returns to Querétaro – September 4-5, 2024

The 3rd Annual ForjaMex Conference & Plant Tour series returns to its inaugural roots in Querétaro on September 4-5, 2024 at the Grand Fiesta Americana. In addition to 15 technical and executive presentations, attendees will take in tabletop exhibits and three plant

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 78