afsbirmingham.org

The February Newsletter and is now available.

Check out the Next Meeting Page for all the details about the upcoming meeting.

The 2010 Southeast regional will be held on February 10-12, 2010 in Cherokee, NC.
Click here to download a flyer containing additional details.
Click here to download the registration form.

Click the image below to visit the Cast Expo homepage.

We just had one of the best attended regular meetings we have had in 7 YEARS!!!!!! Van Richey gave an interesting overview of products made by ACIPCO, the philosophy of the company, and history that shaped the ideology of the business through the Golden Rule. Thanks for the incredible turnout of 101 attendees. We had to set up additional tables to make room for everyone but, I’m sure Tommy would agree that is a good problem to have. Let’s keep that up for the next 4 months and finish out the chapter year on a high note.

The AFS Birmingham Chapter presented scholarships to two very deserving students at the January meeting. Amanda Haglund of UAB and Larry Summerville of UA were awarded $1000 scholarships. Giving scholarships to deserving students interested in the foundry industry is just another great thing the chapter can do because of generous donations from our supporters. Thanks also to Molly Cameron and the Education Committee for their hard work to select the recipients.

Our February 1st meeting is coming up quickly. This meeting is a week earlier than usual because of the upcoming Southeastern Regional. Our meeting speaker will be Shane Allen (and Simon) of Synchro32 who will be presenting on foundry estimating and costing. I hear that he is an entertaining speaker so it should be an energetic meeting.

Don’t forget about the 77th Southeastern Regional hosted by the Tennessee AFS Chapter at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel in Cherokee, NC to be held February 10th-12th. You can check www.afsbirmingham.org or www.afstennessee.org for more details. There will be presentations on OSHA, greenhouse gases, Cap & Trade legislation, labor issues, and more. Don’t miss out on “Survival and What to Expect Next” and help support the TN AFS Chapter.

As always, we ask that you PLEASE call or send your reservations in online at www.afsbirmingham.org as soon as possible so Tommy can get an accurate count. See everyone at the Wynfrey on Monday night February 1st. Social time starts at 6:00PM.

John Kersh
Chairman

The following information was provided by the AFS Washington Office:

- The National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council for Capital Formation have analyzed the Senate’s proposed cap and trade legislation. Their findings:

o By 2030 the manufacturing sector will lose between 1.2 million and 1.6 million jobs

o GDP will fall 2.4% and manufacturing output will fall 6%

o Electricity costs in manufacturing-heavy states will increase 60%

o Annual household energy costs will increase between $700 and $1200.

o Read the full report: here.

- The Energy Information Administration (a government agency) has also analyzed the Waxman-Markey Bill. Their findings:

o By 2030 the average user of electricity will experience an increase of 20% (in 2007 dollars)

o The increase in energy cost will cause households to reduce consumption by $140 in 2020 and by $580 in 2030

o GDP will fall 0.2%

o Read the full report: here.

Nine Democratic senators signed a letter to President Obama stating that any climate change legislation should also provide a provision for protecting American industry and jobs from countries that elect not to impose controls on their so-called green house emissions. The letter was signed by Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Russell D. Feingold (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI), Robert P. Casey (D-PA), Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Arlen Specter (D-PA), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Al Franken (D-MN). Read the letter here.