The American Foundry Society (AFS) is a professional, technical and trade association for foundries and the broader metal casting industry. The society promotes the interests of foundries to policymakers, provides training for foundry workers, and supports research and technological advancements in foundry science and manufacturing.

AFS represents ferrous and nonferrous foundries based in North America, as well as industry suppliers and end-users of metal castings from around the world. The society has individual and corporate members across 48 countries, organized into regional chapters and student chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico. AFS presents Metalcasting Congress, a yearly industry conference, as well as CastExpo, a trade show and exposition that occurs every three years.

AFS is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and also maintains an office in Washington, D.C. Justin Scott, Ph.D. is CEO of the organization, joining in January of 2026.

History The American Foundry Society traces its roots to 1896, when the American Foundrymen's Association was formed.

For a number of years prior to the founding of the society, many local bodies of foundrymen met for mutual protection in regard to labor, prices and interchange of technical information. The attendance was usually strong in these organizations in times of prosperity but waned when economic conditions slowed. Early in 1896 the Philadelphia Foundrymen's Society through discussion with its members conceived that a more general, larger benefit might be gained through organizing a wider group of foundrymen. They invited foundrymen from around the country to Philadelphia for a meeting. The response was spontaneous and well received. On May 12, 1896, the American Foundrymen's Association was formed.The Foundry, Vol. 29, Issue 1, Cleveland, OH, September 1906

The organization's name was subsequently changed to The American Foundrymen's Society. In 2000, it was renamed the American Foundry Society, or AFS.

Organization The Society has approximately 1,100 corporate members and 7,000 individual members. There are 40 regional chapters, as well as 40 student chapters at colleges and universities. AFS is organized into 13 Divisions with committees under each division:

Engineering Division and Smart Manufacturing Additive Manufacturing Division Aluminum and Light Metals Division Copper Alloy Division Molding Methods & Materials Division Cast Iron Division Melting Methods & Materials Division Steel Division Environmental, Health & Safety Division Lost Foam Division Government Affairs Division Human Resources Division Marketing Division Women in Metalcasting Young Professionals In addition to these divisions, the organization has technical staff to assist with engineering services, a system to support research, and an extensive library containing more than 18,000 articles available free of charge to all members.

AFS also operates the AFS Institute, previously known as the Cast Metals Institute. The AFS Institute provides classroom training, web courses and e-learning for foundry professionals across all major alloys and foundry processes.

Past Presidents

2026-2027: John Lancaster, General Motors 2025-2026: David Gilson, SinterCast 2024-2025: Angela Schmeisser, St. Mary's Foundry 2023-2024: Brad Muller, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry 2022-2023: Adam San Solo, Neenah Enterprises 2020-2022: Mike Lenahan, Badger Mining Corp. 2019-2020: Peter Reich, LAEMPE REICH 2018-2019: Jean Bye, Dotson Iron Castings 2017-2018: Patricio Gil, Blackhawk de Mexico 2016-2017: Jeff Cook, Eagle Alloy 2015-2016: Bruce W. Dienst, Simpson Technologies 2014-2015: Christopher C. Norch, Denison Industries 2013-2014: Dennis Dotson, Dotson Iron Castings 2012-2013: Michael L. Selz, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry 2011-2012: Tim McMillin, Fairmount Minerals 2010-2011: Henry W. Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing Company (Lodge (company)) 2009-2010: Steve Reynolds, Lufkin Industries 2007-2009: Paul Mikkola, Metal Casting Technology Inc. 2006-2007: Albert Lucchetti, Cumberland Foundry 2005-2006: James Keffer, EBAA Iron Sales 2004-2005: Charles M. Kurtti, Neenah Foundry Company 2003-2004: Arthur Edge, American Cast Iron Pipe Company 2002-2003: Paul B. Cervellero, Inductotherm Corp. 2001-2002: Donald L. Huizenga, Kurdziel Industries 2000-2001: Donald E. Gaertner, Metalcasting Equipment Inc. 1999-2000: Jack Pohlman, Taylor-Pohlman 1998-1999: Jack Moore, Stahl Specialty Co. 1997-1998: George Boyd, Sr., Goldens' Foundry 1996-1997: Henry W. Dienst, Simpson Technologies 1995-1996: Dwight J. Barnhard, Superior Aluminum Castings 1994-1995: Thomas E. Woehlke, Lawran Foundry 1993-1994: Daniel M. Goodyear, Pennsylvania Steel Foundry & Machine 1992-1993: Ray H. Witt, CMI International 1991-1992: R. Conner Warren, Citation Corp. 1990-1991: Jerry Agin, The Hill & Griffith Co. 1989-1990: James D. Pearson (ACMA Chairman), Aurora Industries 1989-1990: Alvin W. Singleton, Intermet Corp. 1988-1989: Tim Hitchcock, Hitchcock Industries 1987-1988: Albert W. Gruer (ACMA Chairman), Waupaca Foundry 1987-1988: Anton Dorfmueller, Ashland Chemical 1986-1987: John L. Kelly, Textron 1985-1986: William M. O’Neill, Alloy Engineering & Casting Co. 1984-1985: George N. Booth, Ford Motor Company 1983-1984: Hugh Sims, Jr., Vulcan Engineering 1982-1983: Eugene E. Paul, The Dalton Foundries 1981-1982: Lawrence S. Krueger Pelton Casteel 1980-1981: Charles E. Drury, Hayes-Albion Corp 1979-1980: J.R. Bodine, Bodine Aluminum 1978-1979: John A. Wagner, Jr., Wagner Castings 1977-1978: Roy Nosek, Beardsley & Piper Div., Pettibone Corp. 1975-1977: Tom Wiltse, General Motors 1975: Frank Ryan, St. Paul Brass Foundry 1974-1975: Charles Fausel, Lester B. Knight & Associates 1973-1974: Sam Clow, Clow water systems company 1972-1973: Burleigh E. Jacobs, Grede Foundries 1971-1972: J. Douglas James, Urick Foundry Co. 1970-1971: Clyde Sanders, American Colloid 1969-1970: John O’Meara, Banner Iron Works 1968-1969: Bernard Ames, Columbian Bronze 1967-1968: Charles F. Seelbach, Jr., Forest City Foundries 1966-1967: Dale Hall, Oklahoma Steel Castings 1965-1966: Warren Jeffrey, McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co. 1964-1965: Thomas Lloyd, Albion Malleable Iron Co. 1963-1964: Allen Slichter, Pelton Steel Casting Co. 1962-1963: John A. Wagner, Wagner Castings Co. 1961-1962: Albert L. Hunt, Superior Foundry 1960-1961: Norman Dunbeck, International Minerals & Chemical 1959-1960: Charles Nelson, Dow Chemical 1958-1959: Lewis Durdin, Dixie Bronze Co. 1957-1958: Harry Dietert, Harry W. Dietert Co. 1956-1957: Frank W. Shipley, Caterpillar Tractor Co.Caterpillar Inc. 1955-1956: Bruce L. Simpson, National Engineering Co. 1954-1955: Frank Dost, Sterling Foundry 1953-1954: Collins Carter, Albion Malleable Iron Co. 1952-1953: I. Richards Wagner, Electric Steel Castings Co. 1951-1952: Walter L. Seelbach, Superior Foundry 1950-1951: Walton Woody, National Malleable & Steel Castings Co. 1949-1950: E.W. Horlebein, Gibson & Kirk Co. 1948-1949: W.B. Wallis, Pittsburgh Lectromelt Furnace Co. 1947-1948: Max Kuniansky, Lynchburg Foundry 1946-1947: S.V. Wood, Minneapolis Electric Steel Castings Co. 1945-1946: Fred J. Walls, International Nickel Co. 1944-1945: Ralph Teetor, Cadillac Malleable Iron Co 1943-1944: Lee C. Wilson, American Chain & Cable Co. 1942-1943: D.P. Forbest, Gunite Foundries Corp. 1941-1942: Herbert S. Simpson, National Engineering Co. 1940-1941: L.N. Shannon, Stockham Pipe Fitting Co. 1939-1940: Henry S. Washburn, Plainville Casting Co. 1938-1939: Marshall Post, Plainville Casting Co. 1937-1938: H. Bornstein, Deere & Co. John Deere 1936-1937: James Wick, Jr. Falcon Bronze Co. 1934-1936: Dan Avey, The Foundry 1933-1934: Frank Lanahan, Fort Pitt Malleable Iron Co. 1932-1933: T.S. Hammond, Whiting Corp. 1931-1932: E.H. Ballard, General Electric Co. General Electric 1930-1931: Nathaniel Patch, Lumen Bearing Co. 1929-1930: Fred Erb, Erb-Joyce Foundry Co. 1928-1929: S.T. Johnson, S. Obermayer Co. 1926-1928: S. Wells Utley, Detroit Steel Casting Co. 1925-1926: A.B. Root, Jr., Hunt-Spiller Manufacturing Co. 1924-1925: L.W. Olson, Ohio Brass Co. 1923-1924: G.H. Clamer, Ajax Metal Co. 1922-1923: C.R. Messinger, Chain Belt Co. 1920-1922: W.R. Bean, Eastern Malleable Iron Co. 1919-1920: Carl Koch, Fort Pitt Steel Casting Co. 1918-1919: A.O. Backert, Penton Publishing 1917-1918: B.D. Fuller, Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing 1916-1917: J.P. Pero, Missouri Malleable Iron Co. 1914-1916: Robert Bull, Commonwealth Steel Co. 1913-1914: Alfred Howell, Phillips & Buttorff Co. 1912-1913: Henry Miles, Buffalo Foundry & Machine 1910-1912: Major Joseph Speer, Pittsburgh Valve Foundry & Construction Co. 1909-1910: Arthur Waterfall, Russell Wheel & Foundry 1908-1909: L.L. Anthies, Anthes Foundry Ltd. 1907-1908: Stanley Flagg, Jr., Stanley G. Flagg & Co. 1906-1907: William McFadden, Mackintosh, Hemphill Co. 1905-1906: Thomas West, Thomas D. West Foundry 1904-1905: Chris Wolff, L. Wolff Manufacturing Co. 1903-1904: Willis Brown, Walker Foundry 1902-1903: A.W. Walker, Walker-Pratt Manufacturing Co. 1901-1902: John Sadlier, Springfield Foundry Co. 1900-1901: W. A. Jones, W.A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co. 1899-1900: Joseph S. Seaman, Seaman-Sleeth Co. 1898-1899: C.S. Bell, C.S. Bell Co. 1896-1898: Francis Schumann, Tacony Iron & Metal Co.

Regional Activity

Regional Chapters organize educational events and hold chapter meetings, usually at monthly intervals, to promote technical or business subjects related to foundries and the foundry business.

Journal International Journal of Metalcasting

References

Related Industry Resources The Non-Ferrous Founders' Society American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Foundrylink American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Foundry-Planet