May 2026 Volume 8

MEMBERS SPEAK

That kind of networking has specific value in forging because it is rooted in shared experience. Members are not making generic business connections; they are building relationships with others who understand the technical demands, market pressures and long-term realities of the industry. That makes FIA’s professional network unusually relevant and useful. Laura Diedrich, Marketing & Communications Manager, Scot Forge, captures that value well: “To anyone who is considering becoming a member of the FIA, I strongly encourage you to do it. There is so much good data and information available, there are quoting opportunities that come through the FIA website, the networking opportunities are fantastic, and you have access to so much more information than you do as a standalone company.” Her comments point to several of the most practical benefits of membership. The first is access to data and information. Strong businesses depend on informed decisions, and informed decisions require reliable industry knowledge. FIA helps members stay connected to information that is timely, relevant and specific to the forging industry. That can help companies better understand trends, benchmark challenges, identify opportunities and make smarter choices about growth and strategy. Diedrich also highlights quoting opportunities available through FIA. That is a useful reminder that membership is not only about learning and connection; it can also create direct business value. Visibility through the association and access to industry-specific channels can help members identify leads, strengthen awareness and support business development efforts. Just as important is her point about not operating as a stand alone company. That may be the most powerful way to describe FIA membership. Even highly capable organizations have limits to what they can know, track and do on their own. FIA expands those limits. It gives members access to a broader base of expertise, experience and opportunity than they would have independently. That broader perspective becomes even more important as the industry changes. Forging companies today are navigating labor shortages, training needs, changing customer expectations, technology shifts and an increasingly complex business climate. In that environment, staying informed and engaged is essential. FIA membership helps companies remain connected to the conversations, resources and relationships that can help them adapt and compete. Another important aspect of membership is professional development. Strong companies are built by strong people, and the forging industry depends on developing both current leaders and future talent. FIA supports that effort by creating opportunities for education, knowledge-sharing and leadership growth. Members gain exposure not just to technical information, but also to broader business insight and the experience of peers facing similar issues. That learning environment creates real value. It helps members sharpen their thinking, compare approaches and bring back ideas they can apply within their own organizations. It also reinforces something that is easy to overlook but deeply important: confidence. Knowing there is a knowledgeable industry community to turn to when questions arise can make a real difference. Brewer underscores that point when he says, “When we have questions, we are able to reach out.” That simple ability — to reach out and get informed input from people who understand the business is one of the most practical benefits FIA offers. It shortens

the distance between challenge and solution. Membership also matters at the industry level. When companies join and participate in FIA, they are doing more than advancing their own business interests. They are helping strengthen the collective voice of the forging industry. They are supporting an organization that promotes the value of forging, encourages collaboration and helps ensure the industry remains visible and well represented. That shared effort benefits everyone. Forging plays a critical role in manufacturing, but its importance is not always fully understood outside the industry. FIA helps tell that story. It creates a forum where members can share best practices, support industry priorities and reinforce the value of the work they do. In that sense, membership is not just an investment in one company’s future; it is an investment in the future of forging. Ultimately, the value of FIA membership is not found in any single event, resource or connection. It is found in the cumulative strength of belonging to a professional community built specifically for this industry. It is in the trusted conversation, the useful introduction, the valuable insight and the new opportunity that would not have happened otherwise. The perspectives of FIA members like Bob Bolin, Beau Parker, Henry Brewer and Laura Diedrich all point to the same conclusion. FIA membership creates value because it gives companies more — more information, more relationships, more support, more opportunity and more connection to the future of the industry. But their comments also make something else clear: members get the most out of FIA when they engage fully. The strongest businesses are rarely the ones trying to do everything alone. They are the ones that know how to learn, participate and grow alongside others. FIA provides that framework for the forging industry.

Member Voices Series: Check out the new FIA Member Voices Series on YouTube.com (@forgingindustry) to hear from more FIA members about their membership experience.

Want more information: Find out more about FIA benefits by contacting FIA Membership Programs Manager, Tricia Abruzzino at tricia@forging.org or call 216-781-6260.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2026 81