May 2026 Volume 8

MEMBERS SPEAK

STRONGER TOGETHER Why FIA Membership Delivers Lasting Value By Angela Gibian

I n manufacturing, strength is never accidental. It is built over time through discipline, investment, expertise and a willingness to keep improving. The same is true for companies in the forging industry. Long-term success depends not only on equipment, processes and production capability, but also on access to trusted information, strong professional relationships and a network that helps companies navigate challenges and identify new opportunities. That is where membership in the Forging Industry Association (FIA) makes a meaningful difference. For many companies, joining an association begins with a simple question: What is the value of membership? For FIA members, the answer is clear. Membership provides access to industry data, educational resources, networking opportunities, business visibility and a deeper connection to the forging community. It helps companies solve problems more effectively, learn from peers and become part of a broader effort to strengthen the industry as a whole. In a competitive business environment, One of the clearest examples of FIA’s value is the sense of community it creates among members. Henry Brewer, Vice President of Operations, Cornell Forge, describes that benefit in direct terms: “It’s a great community. It provides a lot of resources as well. When we have questions we are able to reach out. Such a big part of it as well is networking, getting to know other forge shops and forging suppliers.” Brewer’s perspective highlights one of FIA’s greatest strengths: access. Membership gives companies access to people who understand their business, access to resources that can inform decision-making and access to practical insight that often cannot be found anywhere else. In an industry where experience matters and challenges can be highly specific, that kind of connection is invaluable. Every forging company faces questions, whether related to operations, workforce development, customer expectations, supply chain issues or business strategy. What FIA provides is a way to address those questions within a trusted professional network. Members can learn from companies that have faced similar issues, exchange ideas with suppliers and industry partners and gain perspective that would be difficult to develop alone. Brewer also speaks to the larger business impact of that involvement: “Cornell Forge is better because of our involvement that kind of support matters. No company can afford to operate in isolation. FIA brings together forging producers, suppliers and service providers who understand the realities of the industry and the pressures companies face every day. That shared understanding creates a powerful foundation for collaboration, learning and growth.

with the Forging Industry Association.” That statement reflects an important truth about membership. The value of FIA is not abstract. It shows up in the strength of the business itself — in better information, stronger relationships, faster problem-solving and greater engagement with the broader industry. Beau Parker, Director of Sales & Marketing, EST Tool & Machine, notes, “Our business has reaped the benefits of being engaged and participating in the Forging Industry Association and all the events it has to offer.” The value of FIA membership grows when companies actively participate. The association provides the platform, but the return comes from showing up, building relationships, taking part in programs and using the opportunities membership makes available. Bob Bolin of GLAMA USA reinforces that point: “Being a member of FIA offers you opportunities. It offers you opportunities to network with people that are doing what you are doing.” That idea gets to the heart of why Bolin also offers an important reminder that membership value is directly tied to participation: “You have to go to the meetings. You have to go to the events. And you have to send your people. Those are the things that get you the rewards that the FIA has to offer.” The true return on membership does not come from simply being listed on the roster. It comes from taking part. It comes from investing time in meetings, sending team members to events, building connections and using FIA as a platform for learning and relationship-building. Events are one of the most visible and valuable parts of that experience. Through conferences, annual meetings, committee involvement, educational programs and Forge Fair, FIA creates space for members to connect in person, share ideas and explore new opportunities. These gatherings bring together professionals from across the forging industry in ways that are both practical and strategic. For members, events are more than networking occasions. They are opportunities to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on broader priorities. They are places to reconnect with industry colleagues, meet potential customers and suppliers, hear from experts and learn what others are seeing in the market. In many cases, the conversations that happen at FIA events lead directly to new ideas, stronger partnerships and better business decisions. membership matters. FIA does not only offer access to information; it creates access to peers who understand the same markets, challenges and business realities. In an industry as specialized as forging, there is great value in being able to connect with people who are facing many of the same issues and pursuing many of the same goals.

“You have to go to the meetings. You have to go to the events. And you have to send your people. Those are the things that get you the rewards that the FIA has to offer.” — Bob Bolin, GLAMA USA

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