FIA East Coast Meeting of Members

Event Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 to Wednesday, June 7, 2023

The Forging Industry Association (FIA) is pleased to announce the second FIA East Coast Meeting of Members on June 7, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the New Mill Restaurant in Plantsville, Connecticut.

This event provides a great opportunity for members in the region to network with their forging peers and hear from industry experts. Come learn more about all the FIA membership benefits your company has access to and upcoming education events to train your employees. Share your thoughts with staff and other FIA members in this interaction format and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch!

Luncheon presenter, Drew Locher will discuss forging and automation with his presentation entitled “Before You Automate….Things to Consider.” Automation can certainly provide important benefits to a Forging company. But before making that big investment, it is important to go into the process clear eyed and with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions. During this session, we will explore several factors that every forger should consider before taking the plunge.

Featured Presenter: Drew Locher, Change Management Associates

Before You Automate...Things to Consider

Drew is currently Managing Director for Change Management Associates. CMA provides various Business Improvement Consulting and Organizational Development services to industrial and service organizations. CMA will assist organizations to successfully implement Systems and Quality Management principles within their operations to improve business performance.

Since 2001, Drew has proudly been a faculty member of the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI), the not-for-profit organization of the co-author of the landmark book “Lean Thinking”, James P. Womack. LEI is committed to educating organizations worldwide in the concepts of Lean through its publications and workshops. For more information check out the Lean Enterprise Institute Website. He is an approved instructor for the University of Michigan’s Toyota Kata and Lean Leadership programs, as well as a TWI Institute certified Job Instruction (JI) instructor.

In 2004, Drew Locher co-authored a book titled, “The Complete Lean Enterprise – Value Stream Mapping for Office and Administrative Processes”. In April 2005, the book won the prestigious Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. He published “Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development – a How-to Guide to Streamline Time to Market” in 2008. His book “Lean Office & Service Simplified: The Definitive How-to Guide” was a 2012 Shingo Prize recipient. His latest book is titled “Unleashing the Power of 3P”.

Plant Tour: Rex Forge

June 7, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

355 Atwater Street
Plantsville, CT 06479

www.rexforge.com

Founded in 1867 as the Atwater Manufacturing Company, the Company initially forged a variety of products, from armaments to oxen shoes, using hammers driven by pulleys and belts powered by the adjacent Quinnipiac River.

From a single 200,000 square foot facility on 15 acres of land in central Connecticut, the Company’s 100+ non-union employees can forge a wide range of parts on its 11 mechanical presses. Possessing captive design and engineering capabilities and state-of-the-art tool and die making equipment, Rex Forge can provide high quality products and services to customers new and old.

Please note: The plant tour facility will have the opportunity to review the list of attendees prior to the event. They will have the right to refuse entrance to registrants at their discretion. If they refuse entry to a registrant, the FIA staff will then contact the attendee to let them know that they may not attend the tour.

Cost to Attend:
Member* $150

*This is an FIA Member only event*

Questions:
If you have questions about meeting registration, please contact Kathy Edwards at kathy@forging.org or call 216-781-6260. For questions about the East Coast Meeting of Members programming and activities, please contact Tricia Abruzzino, Membership Programs and Sales Manager at (216) 781-6260 or by email at tricia@forging.org.