MEETINGS IN REVIEW

The CISA Mission is to:

Support member companies in order to facilitate growth and prosperity by providing information, education and business opportunities, and by interfacing with other industry associations around the world to benefit the casting industry while fostering rewarding professional and business relationships.

MEETING IN REVIEW

2008 CISA Annual Meeting & Business Outlook.

CISA held its 2008 Annual Meeting and Business Outlook at the Hyatt Regency, O’Hare, November 19-20^th.

After a slow start covering Association topics, attendees were treated to a presentation from James Glassman Senior Economist with J.P Morgan and Chase Co. Glassman provided his insight on the economic conditions we find ourselves in today. His presentation was entitled “When Fear Rules”. In essence, he centered on the price of oil being a major contributor and motivator for the economic fallout experienced in the housing market and automotive industries. Glassman’s views are widely cited in the financial media, where he is a frequent commentator on economic policy issues.

Richard Wile & Mike Devereux, Supervisors of Consulting Services for MPP&W.P.C. presented a unique opportunity to CISA members to recoup development costs by rewarding innovation. Attendees were educated about the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit and the forming of an Interest Charge Domestic International Sales Corporation.

Alfred Spada, Editor/Publisher of Modern Casting, gave a stirring presentation on the US Meatalcasting Industry and casting forecast competing globally. Significantly reporting that in 1955 there were 6,150 plants in the USA, in 1991 there were 2,200 compared to 2,130 today, however, there are a greater number of castings produced today than in 1991!

Three industry representatives related to CISA members their thoughts and opinions on how CISA members could work together with their foundries to enhance the success of suppliers of equipment and consumable goods to their individual companies.

Eric Jensen President, Jencast explained the importance of reliable suppliers and how they have played a major part in the development and success in their long history from 1919 to the present.

Twalla Smith Purchasing Manager for Navistar International gave a most informative view on how equipment and consumable suppliers should introduce their products to not only meet the current needs of the foundry but to anticipate future trends and identify opportunities for mutual growth and improvement.

Davis Weiss, V.P Sales & Engineering for ECK Industries challenged suppliers to contribute their ideas to partner with ECK Industries in the development of new technology. In particular, the problems associated with the outgassing from binder systems and associated environmental issues were at the forefront of the challenges facing his foundry. Weiss concluded that new processes and new customer demands will create an opportunity for foundry suppliers to support the growth of the industry. Serious issues remain unresolved in spite of acknowledgment that current technology is “Not Good Enough”. Weiss noted that mutual opportunities would jump start new supplier/foundry alliances and that foundries and suppliers will need to go high tech to survive long term.

               Summer 2007

 The CISA summer meeting was held at the beautiful LaFonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Again, everyone enjoyed the southwestern atmosphere both in the hotel itself and in the surrounding Plaza with its many restaurants, activities and displays of goods from local artisans.

The general session started with a stirring presentation on the upcoming Metal China ’08 exhibition to be held in Shanghai. CISA members were happy to hear that exhibiting in China can be achieved with lower costs and pre-designed booth areas as part of a North American Pavilion.

 This year’s summer meeting concentrated on doing business in Mexico.

Gustavo Lopez Cepeda, General Manager of Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe entitled his presentation; “How to Win in Mexico”. Senor Lopez explained his company’s structure and informed attendees what they were looking for in suppliers. Lopez explained how Caterpillar had been successful in Mexico and what help they needed from suppliers. Lopez commented that they cannot satisfy their customer’s needs and expectations without their supplier’s commitment and support. Lopez outlined the Caterpillar supplier’s expectations. Senor Lopez‘s presentation can be found on the members only section of the CISA web-site.

 The focus on Mexico continued with a presentation from Jose Luis Grajales Zaldivar who presented; “Mexican Foundry Industry Ananlysis, information for Suppliers” Senor Zaldivar explained the Mexican philosophy for the foundry industry as being “To become the best option in the foundry marketplace for the automotive industry, achieving the complete satisfaction of their customers and through new technologies with an innovation commitment of their people”. Again, Senor Zaldivar’s presentation can be found in the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

 Finally, Octavio Lerma Emmert, President of the Mexican Foundrymans Society gave; “A Point of View of Mexican Foundries”. After providing a history of the Mexican foundry industry, Senor Lerma gave numerous examples of Mexican foundries that are successfully producing high quality castings for the automotive segment and other commercial applications. Lerma stated that; “The Mexican Foundries can Represent two things, Opportunity and Competition, although these two words seem to be opposites, they represent the growth and struggles that the Mexican foundries are facing, in order to prepare themselves for the demands of the casting marketplace with quality, service and technology”. Senor Lerma’s presentation can be found on the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

 The Tuesday morning session was ‘spiced up’ by a presentation from Crista Benavidez whose presentation: “!Viva, Mexico! Successful Business Communication for South of the Border”. Benavidez explained to attendees the importance of understanding the cultural differences between North America and Mexico. Her message: “When in Mexico do as Mexicans do”, included advice on how to present yourself, when to present yourself and the dos and don’ts of business meetings. Getting to know you potential customer on a personal basis can be a great advantage and learning a few general phrases in Spanish can help improve your customer’s impression of you and your company.

 Dan Mass of the Ex One Company, gave a member company profile that left everyone wondering if their company’s new technology will alter the machinery and consumable products that our members currently sell to the metalcasting industry. Dan’s presentation can be found on the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

 Laura Schreier-Fleming gave attendees a lesson in “Selling for Profit”. Ms Fleming’s presentation highlighted the importance of hiring the right people for sales. She explained methods and tests to recognize certain traits when hiring a sales person and suggested that they should be creative and optimistic rather than pessimistic. Ms Fleming’s presentation can also be found on the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

 This was the last meeting at which Hugh Kind would preside as President of CISA. He welcomed Mark Ziegler, Unimin Corp, as the new CISA President and thanked the board for there help and support.

 The 2007 Annual Meeting and Business Outlook will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Rosemont, O’Hare, IL, November 14-15.

CISA ANNUAL MEETING AND BUSINESS OUTLOOK 2006

Attendance at the Fall Meeting at the Doubletree Hotel, Rosemont, IL was the highest it has been for a number of years. The program certainly complemented the attendees with a “stirring “presentation from the Keynote Speaker, Richard T. Farrell. Farrell’s presentation “Selling Has Nothing To Do With Selling” was a true soul searcher, providing the audience with fresh ideas and new prospectives.

The long awaited statistics program is now in its final phase, now providing members with real-time statistical data. Members were urged to provide the name of their contact person who will input data into this important part of the CISA educational plan. Mr. Rick Wilke, the program planner, was on hand to demonstrate the ‘ins and outs’ of the input and recovery of data.

Michael Blake, President and CEO Olympus Financial Advisors presented an overview of economic trends for 2007 with an upbeat presentation and positive thoughts for 2007. Michaels’ informative and sometimes humorous presentation focused on stock market opportunities and his views of positive changes that may occur after the 2006 elections.

Blake was recently mentioned in the Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine and cited as one of the top ten wealth Managers of the West.

Gerry Call, Executive Vice President, AFS, gave an American Foundry Society update and posed the problems facing our industry, focusing on: How to compete in a Global Market, Maintaining a Skilled Workforce, Government Regulations, Other Materials/Processes and Aging/Evaporating Technical Support. The transcript of his presentation can be found in the Members only section of the CISA web-site.

James Louise Brown, President, Bremen Castings and Jim Bopp, General Manager, Plymouth Foundry, gave their views of customer expectations for the future. Brown gave his views of expectations for a great foundry along with customer trends, wants and needs. Brown stressed the need for manufacturer’s, suppliers and schools to team up and help reduce today’s manufacturing expenses. Again, a transcript of Brown’s presentation can be found on the Members only section of the CISA web-site.

Jim Bopp explained  that Plymouth Foundry have equipped themselves with state of the art machinery in order to provide one-stop shopping for on-time delivery while having a commitment to quality.

Roger Hayes, CISA Executive Director, reminded everyone that CISA Programs, such as the Freight discount program is saving participating members an average of $11,140.00 per year.

Alfred Spada, Editor-In-Chief Modern Casting and Raymond Monroe, Executive Vice President, SFSA gave their usual superb presentations. Spada focused on US Metalcasting competing in a global economy he gave a U.S. Casting Forecast Profile and sized up the foreign competition. Spada reminded everyone that in 1955 there were 6,150 foundries whereas in 2007 there will be just 2,190!

Monroe’s Metalcasting overview gave CISA member attendees an upbeat report and focused on capital equipment investment for the next fifteen – forty years. Monroe focused on business impact factors for 2007 and forecast that most markets should remain strong throughout the year.

Many new prospective CISA members attended this meeting in order to gain, first hand, the knowledge that can help them compete in both the domestic and global market place from presenters who have their finger on the pulse of our great industry.

If you are not a CISA member please contact us for an application to join our elite group.

CISA members can find the transcripts of the Fall Meeting presentations in the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

CISA will hold its 2007 Spring Conference at the Hilton Resort, Marco Island, Florida and the Summer Meeting will be held at LaFonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Summer Meeting, Incline Village, NV August 2006

CISA concluded it’s 2006 Summer Meeting in Incline Village, NV, with a mind searching presentation by Ed Rigsbee, reminding us all of the need for “tie breakers” with the recovery of our Metalcasting Industry. Rigsbee gave plenty of examples of business tie breakers that everyone can use as our industry recovery continues.

Members were educated on the need to consider e-business since the internet and technologies enables the biggest global playing field leveler of all time, so said Dean Peters, Principal of SYN Tactical Communications.

Peters explained that e-business was the third most effective means of generating sales leads, behind sales people themselves and trade shows. Turn business from “passive to active” Peters said and he offered the means to do so.

An update on OSHA’s upcoming rule on “Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica” was given by Mark Ellis President of the IMA-North America.

Eva Rowe, Vice President of Messe Dusseldorf North America, presented the reason why suppliers should exhibit or attend GIFA International Foundry Trade Fair in Dusseldorf Germany, June 12-16^th, 2007.

George Crandell, V.P Technology Technikon LLC gave an update on the CERP program and informed the members of upcoming testing features including microwave melting and digital mold and core making. CISA is a CRADA member and sponsor of CERP who have five working groups to help foundries; Emission Measurement, Casting Quality, Test Design, Molding and the Energy Team.

CISA formed a survey that will be ongoing of the “state of our industry” from the equipment and consumable suppliers. The survey will help our member keep abreast of the changes in our industry and the ability to help foresee trends that will eventually affect our “bottom line”.

CISA President Sara Joyce awarded Hugh Kind,  with the prestigious "President's Award" at the CISA Summer Meeting in Incline Village, NV. Inscribed on the award is:
The President's Award is selected at the discretion of the CISA President. It is given in recognition of a commitment to the principals and goals that unite our membership."

The content of the summer meeting educated members in a setting well suited to help us confirm the benefits of being a CISA member.

CISA will hold its 2006 Annual Meeting & Business Outlook at the Doubletree Hotel, Rosemont, IL November 15-16, 2006.

If you are not a CISA member please contact us for an application to join our elite group.

CISA members can find the transcripts of the Summer Meeting presentations in the member’s only section of the CISA web-site.

CISA Summer Meeting 2005

CISA held its Summer Meeting in Santa Fe New Mexico, June 24-26. The sixty nine (69) attendees were treated to an array of speakers who offered their advice and experience on the meeting theme:  “Developing New Markets”.

The INSTEAD Timkin Chaired Professor of Global Technologies, Yves Doz from France, gave his insight into growing a business through mergers and acquisitions. Ruben Bake presented his award winning paper: “Developing a Fact Based Marketing Plan” and Chip Chomyn explained how to assess new market opportunities using Market Research. Getting down to earth, the keynote speaker, Crista Benavidez, reminded everyone of the untapped potential within ones own company by recognizing and encouraging inside sales personnel. Crista suggested and explained how to develop new markets on your own doorstep.

CISA’s 2005 Annual Meeting & Business Outlook will be held in Chicago, November 16-17, 2005. Contact CISA for details.