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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 19-20th.
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.
CISA members who were unable to attend the meeting can
find the transcripts of these presentations in the “Members Only”
section of the CISA web-site at www.cisa.org
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. Farrells 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 manufacturers,
suppliers and schools to team up and help reduce todays manufacturing expenses.
Again, a transcript of Browns 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!
Monroes 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 members 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 its 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 OSHAs 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 12-16th,
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 members 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.
CISAs 2005 Annual Meeting &
Business Outlook will be held in Chicago, November 16-17, 2005. Contact CISA for details.
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