Mid-level managers are the engine of every strong operation—and the difference between “keeping things moving” and building what’s next. FIA’s Management Development Institute (MDI) is a comprehensive three-part series designed to help you level up your leadership and prepare for senior management responsibilities. Expect practical learning through lectures, case studies, roundtable discussions, expert panels, and structured networking—all built for real-world challenges in the forging industry and its suppliers.

Now is the time to invest in the leaders of tomorrow.

MDI is built for mid-level managers ready to grow into broader responsibility and future senior leadership roles.

Tuition Fees:

Three sessions. Three days each. One major step forward.

     •   Session One: June 8–10, 2026 (Independence, OH)
     •   Session Two: August 3–5, 2026 (Independence, OH)
     •   Session Three: October 5–7, 2026 (Independence, OH)

FIA Headquarters, 6363 Oak Tree Blvd, Independence, Ohio 44131.

Please login at the top of this page to register.  The last day to register for this event is May 8, 2026. No registrations will be accepted after this date. If you have questions about MDI registration, or would like to submit a paper registration form, please contact Kathy Edwards at kathy@forging.org.

What you’ll walk away with: [Click here to download the MDI 2026 brochure]

MDI strengthens the skills that matter most for advancing your career, including:

• Leadership fundamentals: goal setting, delegation, and time management
• Business communication: writing, modern communication tools, trust-building, and effective presentations
• Business law: contracts, terms & conditions, and managing risk
• Manufacturing strategy: Lean, Theory of Constraints, scheduling, flow, and profitability
• Markets, marketing & sales: customer/competitor analysis, forecasting, accounts, and promotion
• Human resources: hiring, performance, training, conflict, recognition, teamwork
• Financial management: costs, margins, cash flow, budgeting, forecasting
• Industrial AI (practical, not hype): maintenance, quality, scheduling, training, frontline support—plus governance and measurable outcomes
• Professional development & networking: career strategies, emotional intelligence, and networking effectively in the forging industry

Session 1: Plant Tour:  Viking Forge

Viking Forge, LLC delivers a high-quality, cost-efficient carbon, alloy, stainless-steel, and hear-net-shape forgings supported by advanced engineering and manufacturing automation. Their eight mechanical hot forging press lines, ranging from 1,300-4,000 tons, produce forgings from 0.50-100 pounds, with rapid in-house tooling changeouts that maximize uptime. They excel in annual volumes of 10,000 to over 1.000,000 parts, serving a wide range of industries, including but not limited to: Energy - Oil & Gas, Automotive, Truck, Agriculture, Heavy Equipment, Defense & Ordnance, and Power Transmission. 

Please note: The plant tour facility will have the opportunity to review the list of attendees prior to the event. If the company decides that someone on the list is deemed to be in competition with them, the facility will inform FIA. The FIA staff will then contact the attendee to let them know that they may not attend the tour.

Suggested Hotels:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cleveland Independence
6060 Rockside Place, Independence, OH 44131
Phone: (216) 264-4190

Embassy Suites
5800 Rockside Woods Blvd., Independence, OH 44131
Phone: (216) 986-9900

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations will be permitted until May 25, 2026 and will be refunded in full. After May 25, 2026 no refunds will be given, but substitutions are allowed if submitted to the FIA in writing.

Please Note:
No registration is final until accepted by FIA. FIA reserves the right to refuse registration/attendance to any person. Any registration that is not accepted by the FIA will be refunded in full.