Products and Services
- Statistical & Benchmarking Services
- Training/Education Opportunities
- Professional Growth/Networking
- Technical Resources
- Industry R&D Activities
- Safety & Regulatory Assistance
- Marketing Activities
- Outreach Programs
- Human Resources
- Website Services
- Other Services
STATISTICAL & BENCHMARKING SERVICES
Industry Orders & Shipments/End-use Markets - Custom Forgings **
Outlines trends in custom forging order bookings and shipments, by dollar value of ferrous/non-ferrous and high-temperature metals in North America; periodic and annual reports include comparisons to prior months and years. Industry segments independently reported include: Impression Die Forging, Open Die Forging and Seamless Rolled Ring Forging.
Forging Industry Profits **
Quarterly, plus annual review of Profit and Loss Statements; Total industry plus industry segments (Impression Die and Open Die/Rolled Ring) independently reported. Participating member companies are ranked in quartiles/groups in the Total Industry and their Industry Segment.
Marketing Benchmarking **
A measure for comparing your forging sales operations with similar FIA member companies in North America. Rejection rates, inventory turns, on-time delivery, receivable turns and quoting success rates are some of the benchmarks included.
Annual Hourly Wage & Benefit Survey**
Comprehensive wage and benefit information for production workers reported by geographic region and union/non-union affiliation.
Management Compensation Survey**
Conducted yearly, this survey covers both supervisory and 31 management job descriptions. Wage and benefit information is reported by geographic and company sales classification.
Equipment Uptime, Maintenance & Set-up Benchmarking**
Designed by the FIA Plant Engineering Committee as a measure for comparing a company's forging operating performance and maintenance practices with those of similar FIA Member companies, results can assist participants in developing continuous improvement programs.
Occupational Injury & Illness Reporting **
Based on OSHA 300 log data, this yearly survey breaks forging industry injury and illness data into four comparative size groups (based on number of employees). Format includes average OSHA recordable frequency rate, incidence and severity rates, restricted duty days, and more.
Safety Awards
Presented yearly in four plant size categories, these awards recognize outstanding safety records in the forging industry. Based on OSHA 300 forms, plaques are awarded for First, Second and Third place incidence rates. An improvement award is also selected in each size category.
Creating a Safety Culture
In today's industrial climate, many organizations are implementing new methods for involving and motivating employees to focus on safety, making safety a priority. This program endeavors to recognize and share the most notable, innovative and effective safety programs implemented by FIA member companies.
** Summary Reports are available to participating companies only
TRAINING/EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
FIA Forging University
The Forging University is an interactive, web-based training center
for FIA Members. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from
your office, home or on the go. The University, offers over 100 training courses
in forging, human resources, management, safety, customer service
and sales.
Die Design
Basic Principles of Forging Die Design
A four-day course dealing with the interaction of forging
principles and design practices.
Press Forging Fundamentals & Die Design
A four-day course on tool design practices for presses with
emphasis on quick tool change and press operation.
Supervisory
First Line Supervisory Development Workshop
Focus is on communication, decision making and problem
solving skills through interactive small group participation for
both the new and veteran supervisor.
Forge Fair
FIA's triennial conference and exhibition dedicated to
the metal forging process features the products and services of
the world's leading industry suppliers. Forging company
executives from 15 + countries normally attend, which includes
over 2/3 of all North American forging companies.
Forging Industry Technical Conference
Opportunity for industry, academic, customer and research
community to hear, see and learn about advances in forging
technology, applications in use, developments underway and
research for the future.
Marketing Workshop
Annual conference for forging industry executives to improve
their sales and marketing skills, while learning more about
their customer markets, including end use market
forecasts.
Open Die/Rolled Ring Producers Meeting
Focused on topics and plant tours of specialized interest
conducted for those in the open die and rolled ring segments of
the forging industry.
Plant Floor... targeted to shop level operations
Induction Heating Systems for Forgers
Introduction/refresher training for shop employees who
maintain, set up and operate induction heating
equipment.
Fundamentals of Ferrous Metallurgy
Seminar provides an understanding of metallurgical
principles involved in the forging process, from steel making
through final testing of forgings.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH/NETWORKING
Area Meetings
Regional meetings of FIA Members mean less travel time away
from the plant, and provide an excellent opportunity to meet with
other forging executives/operating staff in your area. Agenda
items typically reflect current concerns in the
industry.
Annual Meeting of Members
Executive leadership training, professional speakers, and
member discussion roundtables highlight this event, which also
includes the Annual Election of new Directors and other official
business of the Association.
Fall Meeting of Members
An additional opportunity for industry leaders to meet at a
leadership improvement and problem solving meeting... shorter
than the Annual Meeting, with more interaction opportunities
provided for members to share information.
Forging Forum
The Forging Forum is the only web-based interactive forum
devoted to the forging process. It is hosted by FIA at
www.forging.org to provide a global platform for individuals to
ask, respond and comment on industry-related questions and
issues.
Board/Committee Membership
Personal involvement brings value to FIA Membership.
Contact the FIA Office to learn more about participating with any of the following industry committees:
| FIA Board of Directors | Plant Engineering |
| FIERF Board of Trustees | Marketing |
| Safety & Health | Open Die/Seamless |
| Technical | Rolled Ring |
Forging Industry Handbook
A comprehensive overview and discussion of the modern forging
process and of the technological advances made in manufacturing
operations.
Product Design Guide for Forging
This 240-page book is a single-source set of guidelines
intended to assist customers and potential customers in the
design of parts to be forged.
Guideline Tolerances
Information related to manufacture and purchase of:
Precision Aluminum Forgings
Hot Forged Impression Die Forgings: Hammer, Press & Upsetter
Seamless Rolled RingsNote: These booklets have been incorporated into FIA's Product Design Guide for Forging.
Open Die Forging Technology
This handbook compiles information on manufacturing
equipment, methods and design considerations of open die forgings
and includes a special section on Ring Rolling.
Induction Heating for Forging
Hands-on guide to operation and basic maintenance of
Induction Heating equipment.
Forging Industry Vision of the Future
The Industry Vision statement is the first step in an
industry cooperative partnership with government, national
research labs, customer and supplier industries to develop new
technology toward improving competitiveness and capabilities of
forging companies. The Vision document describes:
- The desired state of the forging industry in the year 2020; Strategic objectives and performance targets are identified to achieve this Vision;
- Current and future challenges, and barriers which impact technology development;
- Market, business and societal factors which will drive changes in the industry
Forging Industry Technology Roadmap
The second step in the technology partnership... the Roadmap
document provides a blueprint of required research and technology milestones needed to achieve the strategic targets outlined in
the Industry Vision. The 50-page booklet focuses on three key areas:
- Tooling and materials
- Quality and productivity
- Energy and environment
Priority research and development goals for the industry are contained in Forging Industry Technology Roadmap Update.
Forging Defense Manufacturing Consortium (FDMC)
FDMC is a forging industry partnership serving the U.S.
Defense Logistics Agency. This program targets Business
Enterprise Integration to address forging supply chain issues;
Deployment of new forging design and acquisition technologies;
and Research & Development toward improved forging
readiness.
Collaborative Opportunities
FIA is able to help leverage collaborative industry,
academic and government action toward needed research on behalf of individual, or smaller companies which they might not be able
to accomplish or afford on their own. "Collaborative Research in the Forging
Industry" is a how-to publication to encourage FIA
Member interest and participation in collaborative
research.
Magnet School Program
The Magnet School Program builds relationships at the
university level to increase awareness and knowledge of the forging industry and process among engineering and metallurgy
students.
Colorado School of Mines
Since 1992, Colorado School of Mines (CSM) has been the home
of the FIERF (Forging Industry Educational & Research
Foundation) Named Professorship. The
University's Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research
Center (ASPPRC) conducts forging relevant research on materials
manufacture and improvement.
Forging Industry Fellows at Ohio State University
FIA and FIERF support three graduate student
researchers' participation in Die Material and Lubrication
project research and development work at Ohio State
University.
Finkl Challenge Grants
FIERF grants funding to promote and conduct research needed
and important to the forging industry.
SAFETY & REGULATORY ASSISTANCE
OSHA/Safety
News from the FIA Safety Committee & Safety Newsletter
Published quarterly, this newsletter highlights new
regulatory action. Articles include information useful in
compliance matters. Also brings you up to date with the projects
and programs of FIA in addressing safety in our
industry.
Forging Safety Manual
Written by the FIA Safety & Health Committee and
published by the National Safety Council, the Forging Safety
Manual is an invaluable reference for all forging producers and
suppliers.
Safety & Health Orientation for the Forging Industry
For use as new employee safety orientation and refresher
training, this 23-minute video addresses basic safety and health
issues in the forging industry, including employee
responsibilities, PPE, safe lifting, first aid and
more.
Hammer & Press Safety Video
A must-have training video for forge hammer or press operators!
Packaged together on one tape, separate sections speak directly
to your operational crews about the safe operation of their
equipment. Topics include: Crew Safety Responsibilities,
Set-Up, Heating, Guarding & Forging.
"The Forgers" Video
This 30-minute video was produced by OSHA for OSHA Compliance
Officers to explain industry hazards.
Frequently Asked OSHA Questions
A compilation of common forging industry OSHA questions ranging
from machine guarding to noise, inspections and more.
Safety Help
The FIA Safety Committee is a resource for your safety and
health questions.
Customer Information
Request for Quote
A free service available exclusively to FIA Members to obtain RFQs
over the internet. Open to forging customers and prospects
worldwide, requests are received on average of one per
day.
Forging Customer List
Available to FIA Members only, FIA has assembled the names
of thousands of customers using reader lists from several North
American design and purchasing-oriented trade publications.
Names have also been added from various customer-oriented trade
shows at which FIA has exhibited. Design engineers and
purchasing managers are the primary listings.
Benchmarking
Industry Orders & Shipments/End-use Markets - Custom Forgings **
Outlines trends in custom forging order bookings and
shipments, by dollar value of ferrous/non-ferrous and
high-temperature metals in North America; periodic and annual
reports include comparisons to prior months and years. Industry
segments independently reported include: Impression Die Forging,
Open Die Forging and Seamless Rolled Ring Forging.
Forging Industry Profits **
Quarterly reports, plus annual review of the industry Profit
and Loss Statement; Total industry plus industry segments
(Impression Die and Open Die/Rolled Ring) independently
reported. Participating member companies are ranked in
quartiles/groups in the Total Industry and their Industry
Segment.
Marketing Benchmarking **
A measure for comparing your forging sales operations with similar
FIA member companies in North America. Rejection rates,
inventory turns, on-time delivery, receivable turns and quoting
success rates are some of the benchmarks included.
Marketing Workshop
Annual conference for forging industry executives to improve
their sales and marketing skills, while learning more about their
customer markets, including end use market forecasts.
Economic Summaries/Bi-Annual Outlooks
Global Insights (formerly DRI-WEFA) provides FIA Members exclusive bi-annual macro-economic forecast summaries and economic data and forecasts for the top 20 forging markets. Information on relevant issues such as raw material and energy costs, exports and interest rates is included.
** Summary Reports are available to participating companies only
Web Advertising
Member forging producers and suppliers may advertise their companies on FIA website pages visited by their target audience and selected for their consistently high viewing rates. Classified advertising is also available.
Forging Capability Guide
This 60+ page reference CD-Rom is published to assist the
design engineering community in locating custom producers of
forged metal components in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It identifies FIA Member custom forging producers by the four
major forging processes -- impression die, open die, seamless
rolled ring, and cold forging. A cross reference of other
forging capabilities is included. A continuously updated and
fully searchable version of this Guide is also available as a
Buyers Guide on the Internet at
www.forging.org/bguide/bguide.htm.
The Forging Advantage CD-ROM
Designed for the young engineer or anyone who wants to
become more familiar with the forging process, this new CD-ROM
offers the user an interactive method of locating information
they desire. Main sections of the CD include a learning library,
end use marketing applications, materials, process comparisons
and links to FIA Member forging producers.
Facts and Guideline Tolerances
For customer education and use, three booklets are available:
- Facts & Guideline Tolerances for Precision Aluminum Forgings
- Guideline Tolerances for Hot Forged Impression Die Forgings: Hammer, Press and Upsetter
- Facts & Guideline Allowances and Tolerances for Seamless Rolled Rings
Product Design Guide for Forging
This 240-page book is a single-source set of guidelines
intended to assist customers and potential customers in the
design of parts to be forged.
Customer Trade Show Participation
Each year, FIA's Marketing Committee recommends trade
shows for the Association's participation. These shows are
chosen to promote industry exposure to customer design engineers
and direct them to members of the Association as potential
suppliers. Examples include:
- Minexpo International
- Offshore Technology Conference
- Gear Expo
- SAE International Auto Congress and Expo
The Forging Decision
The theme of "Think Forging First" is the focus of
this video, and is designed to acquaint students at the
university level with the forging industry... can also be used
for general orientation with employees and customers.
Forge Your Future
“Forge Your Future” is an interactive CD-ROM
designed to encourage university students to pursue careers in
the forging industry. The CD provides information about the
forging industry, forging processes and allows students to hear
young industry employees, like themselves, talking about the
opportunities they have found in the forging industry. Can be
packaged with your company materials for use in your recruiting
efforts at Career Fairs.
Forging Career Website
The industry's on-line career site is www.forgingcareers.org
where those interested in a career in the forging industry can:
- Search for current job postings by career path and geographic area;
- Apply on-line for openings of interest; and
- Post their resume to be made available to all FIA MemberCompanies
FIERF Named Professor
The Forging Industry Educational & Research Foundation
(FIERF) Named Professor at Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Chet Van
Tyne, teaches and conducts research pertinent to the forging
industry and works with Magnet School Professors to promote
forging curriculum.
FIERF Fellowship
The FIERF Fellowship provides support of one candidate for
related graduate research each year at a FIERF Magnet School. Recent studies include: Effects of Induction Processing
on the Mechanical Properties of Steels with Various Core
Microstructure and Workability of Medium Carbon 1045 Forging
Steel with Residual Copper.
Forging Industry Fellows at Ohio State University
FIA and FIERF support three graduate student
researchers' participation in Innovative Die Material and
Lubrication Strategies work at Ohio State University.
Forging Industry Association Assistantships at University of Waterloo
An endowed fund at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario provides funds for support of students interested in forging related work.
Magnet School Program
The Magnet School Programs builds a relationship with
university professors to increase awareness and knowledge of the
forging industry among university engineering and metallurgy
students. The program goal is to provide future engineers an
appreciation of the value of the properties of forgings and to
attract new generations of students into the forging industry as
a career.
Finkl Challenge Grants
Funding for university student forging-related research is
available through FIERF. Past projects have investigated Proper
Hot Forging Temperatures for Various Steel Grades, Friction
Measurements, Role of Initial Microstructure on Hardness &
Shape Variability in Steel Components, and Study of Premium H-13
for Improved Toughness and Temperature Resistance.
Charles W. Finkl Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded in memory of Charles W. Finkl,
longtime supporter of industry educational activities.
Industry Compensation Surveys
Annual Hourly Wage & Benefit Survey**
Comprehensive wage and benefit information for production
workers reported by geographic region and union/non-union
affiliation. The survey is conducted yearly.
Management Compensation Survey**
Conducted yearly, this survey covers both supervisory and 29
management job descriptions. Wage and benefit information is
reported by geographic and company forging sales
classifications.
** Summary reports are available to participating companies only
Industry Orientation
Forging - Making the World Work Video
Designed as a new employee orientation, this video provides
a general overview of what the forging industry is, what it does, how forgings are used and the industry's contribution to the
North American economy. "Making the World Work" presents a capsule view of the vitality and diversity of the
North American forging industry.
Recruitment Assistance
Forge Your Future
“Forge Your Future” is an interactive CD-ROM
designed to encourage university students to pursue careers in
the forging industry. The CD provides information on the forging
industry, forging processes and allows students to hear young
industry employees, like themselves, talking about the
opportunities they have found in the forging industry. Can be
packaged with your company materials for use in your recruiting
efforts at Career Fairs.
Forging Career Website
FIA Members have a no charge opportunity to:
- Post available job openings;
- Manage job postings on line
- Have access to posted resumes
Users of FIA's Internet Web Site will find a wealth of information about the forging process, the North American forging industry and producers of forged products. Some key sections include: What's New Updates, Catalog of Products, Calendar of Events and Producer and Supplier Buyers Guides.
A special password-controlled "Members Only" section provides FIA Members access to specific member services, additional opportunities to review current news publications, committee-provided services, alerts, advisories and referrals.
Forging Forum
The Forging Forum is the only interactive forum devoted to the
forging process. It is hosted by FIA to provide a global
platform for individuals to ask, respond and comment on
industry-related questions and issues. The forum is accessed
through the FIA Home Page.
Buyers Guides
All FIA Members are listed on the FIA website and can be linked to
their own company site at no cost. Custom forging producers are
included in the searchable Custom Forging Producers Capability
Guide. Suppliers are listed by product/service
categories.
Virtual Trade Show
Virtual Trade Show allows companies exhibiting at Forge Fair
to advertise their products and services on the FIA website for
months before and after the show.
Training
Forging University
The Forging University in an interactive, web-based training center
for FIA Members. The University offers more than 100 training
courses in forging, human relations, management, safety, customer
service and sales.
Publications
Catalog of Products
FIA materials, publications and videos can be ordered on-line from the FIA website 24/7.
Research Reports
Foundation sponsored student research, publications of the
Colorado School of Mines Advanced Steel Processing and Products
Research Center are available on the FIA Website. Use the
site's search function to find specific
information.
Surplus Materials
On-line listings of surplus materials for Buy, Sell or
Trade, from FIA Member Companies are provided as a member
service.
Human Resources
Job Posting/Resume Review
The FIA Career Center allows FIA Members to post job openings and
view resumes of individuals seeking employment in the forging
industry at no cost. Positions are posted, edited or
deleted at your convenience from your desktop.
Marketing Resources
Request for Quote
A free service available exclusively to FIA Members to obtain RFQs
over the internet. Open to forging customers and prospects
worldwide, requests are received on average of one per
day.
Web Advertising
Member forging producers and suppliers may advertise their companies on FIA website
pages visited by their target audience and selected for their consistently high viewing rates.
Classified advertising is also available.
Global Insight Economic Summaries/End Use Market Forcasts
Global Insights provides FIA Members
exclusive bi-annual macro-economic forecast summaries and
economic data and forecasts for the top 20 forging markets.
Information on relevant issues such as raw material and energy
costs, exports and interest rates is included.
Offshore Forging Competitive Market Survey
In an effort to better understand how and why imported forgings are
grabbing an increasing share of the North American market, FIA
commissioned a formal, third party study in 2002 to research the
issue. 30-page Executive Summary and order form for full report
are available on-line.
Publications
Washington & You Updates
As needed, Legislative Alerts, Trade Bulletins, Action Calls
and other in-depth information advisories from the National
Association of Manufacturers (NAM) are updated monthly on
FIA's website.
For Sale/Wanted
A low cost way to contact forging producers in North America for
equipment, material, etc., whether you're looking to acquire
or to liquidate.
FIA Directory
A quick reference you'll want to have next to your phone.
FIA's Membership Directory provides names of member
companies, personnel, committee members and more.
FIA Quick-Read
FIA's Membership newsletter provides news of the
industry, upcoming meetings and events to keep you
informed.
Surplus Materials Listing
Specialized "for sale" listing of surplus
materials held by and available from FIA Members... in electronic format.
Discount Services
Hertz Rent a Car
FIA's Hertz Discount Program will save you up to 10% off
daily, standard or leisure rates for all classes every time you
rent a car from Hertz.
Yellow Freight Discounts
FIA Discount Freight Program offers immediate and
significant cost-saving discounts on outbound and inbound, short
or long-haul freight shipments and related services.