Non-Ferrous Founders' Society History and Background
Established in 1943, the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society (NFFS) is the principal North American Trade association representing aluminum, brass, and bronze foundries and ingot manufacturers.
NFFS member foundries utilize virtually every casting process, including: sand; permanent mold; investment; continuous cast; centrifugal; and die-casting. The principal metals cast in most non-ferrous foundries are aluminum and copper-alloys (brass & bronze), however some non-ferrous foundries may also pour magnesium, zinc, and other non-ferrous materials.
Here are some basic but important facts about non-ferrous foundries that often go unrecognized.
-
The foundry industry has played an important role in the history of American progress, invention, and innovation. The art of making castings is quite old, however, non-ferrous castings have been part of nearly every new technological development since the industrial revolution.
-
Non-ferrous foundries are Creating America’s Solid Tomorrow. Though you might not recognize them, there are non-ferrous castings in your home, your backyard, your office, and everywhere you go. They’re found everywhere from your kitchen sink to weapon systems, and rail cars to medical equipment.
-
There are non-ferrous foundries in almost every state, producing component parts that are used in virtually every other manufacturing industry.
-
The industry is comprised mainly of small businesses. There are currently nearly 2,000 non-ferrous foundries in operation in the U. S. and Canada, and of those, less than 1% fail to meet the U.S. government definition of a small business. In fact, more than 1,600 of these companies have fewer than 100 employees.
-
Collectively, non-ferrous foundries employ more than 200,000 people, contribute more than $15 billion to the Gross National Product, and produce more than 100,000 distinct products. The majority of non-ferrous foundries aren’t part of some corporate conglomerate. Most are privately held companies - many are family-run businesses, some owned and operated by the same family for several generations.
-
The non-ferrous foundries annually recycle millions of tons of scrap metal into useful components without which America's great production engine would come to a grinding halt. The reuse of these materials saves natural resources and decreases the amount of materials that would otherwise go to landfills.
-
Though they are heavily regulated, foundries have a healthy respect for the safety and health of their employees and for the environment. Non-ferrous foundries are responsible neighbors and a valued source of employment in their local communities.
NFFS employees three full time staff personnel and one part-time administrative assistant.
|
|
