Member Benefits for Foundries
The Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society has the unique ability to focus its attention on issues that really matter to non-ferrous foundries. This is primarily due to the fact that all of the Society's board members are themselves owners or top executives of non-ferrous foundries. At every board meeting, the board devotes part of its agenda to identifying and addressing current issues and concerns, including how NFFS can help its members with their most pressing challenges.
The Society’s philosophy has always been to leverage past successes to create new programs and services to assist member foundries today and in the future. NFFS will continue to add new programs and services as needs arise, so please feel free to contact NFFS with your input.
Download NFFS Membership Brochure
Why should you become a NFFS member?
Networking & Fellowship
NFFS offers opportunities for members to meet their peers and develop a network of lasting business relationships. The annual Industry Executive Conference provides industry leaders the chance to connect with colleagues, see old friends—and make new ones—while benefiting from high-quality educational programming tailored specifically to non-ferrous foundries. The Society also hosts periodic regional meetings in locations across the U.S. to provide opportunities for local foundry employees to attend networking and educational events closer to home.
NFFS members are also encouraged to take advantage of leadership opportunities available through NFFS volunteer committees. Regardless of the size of your company, you can make your voice heard and share your thoughts regarding important issues affecting the metal casting industry. Government Affairs, Membership, Programs, and Scholarship are just a few of the committees working through NFFS to further the success of our industry.
Industry Information
NFFS works continuously to provide its members with current information on a wide range of topics relevant to foundry management. Among the valuable resources provided to NFFS members:
- The Crucible News Brief, a weekly newsletter sent to members and industry contacts by email, which provides a variety of valuable content including NFFS updates, industry news, economic updates and analysis, member news and information, health and safety guidance, regulatory compliance advice, and more!
- The Economic Portal for NFFS Members, which provides members with a variety of economic trend data, relevant economic news, and other useful resources including the monthly NFFS Economic Advisor newsletter published specifically for NFFS members.
Advocacy & Industry Representation
For over 70 years, NFFS has served as the voice for non-ferrous foundries. The NFFS staff and Government Affairs Committee actively monitor new legislative and regulatory developments in Washington, as well as at the regional and state levels, and effectively represents the interests of non-ferrous foundries. All U.S. non-ferrous foundries have at some point benefited from the Society's efforts to protect the industry from misguided or overly burdensome regulations.
Technical Training
NFFS members receive access to NFFS Academy, an online e-learning platform providing cutting-edge technical training programs to foundry industry employers and their workers. NFFS Academy includes more than 120+ relevant, user-friendly courses covering multiple manufacturing disciplines, materials and manufacturing processes. The courses are self-paced, self-guided, and interactive with visually engaging graphics. Concepts can be immediately applied in examples and assessments, and every course completed will be added to a transcript, with a printable certificate of completion. This library is a perfect asset whether you are just starting out, being cross-trained, or looking to up-skill your current situation. NFFS members receive extended course access and discounts of 35-80% over public pricing for these courses—just log in and start learning!
Safety, Health and Environmental Regulatory Compliance
NFFS is the industry leading association for environmental health & safety compliance resources. These are just some of the many resources included with NFFS membership:
Air Sampling Equipment Program
NFFS members receive complimentary access to air sampling equipment and free technical support via phone or email. Members also receive a 15% discount on analytical services performed by our partner Analytics Corporation, as well as the ability to purchase pre-weighed Parallel Particulate Impactor samplers (PPI) at cost during program enrollment.
NFFSummit Health & Safety Webinars
These monthly, 30-60 minute webinars cover important health and safety topics and are designed exclusively for members of NFFS. These online meetings enable NFFS members to engage in live discussions about pertinent regulations and other engaging topics that affect their foundry operations. This member benefit is highly recommended!
OSHA Compliance Templates
Many times, OSHA regulations require a written program in additional to employee training and other requirements. NFFS members have access to detailed templates for many of the commonly requested written OSHA documents, which can then be customized for use within their foundry or business. Available template documents include: PPE, electrical safety, silica, lead, and many more.
Safety Training Programs
Unsafe work practices are dangerous and expensive, but foundry training courses do not have to be! NFFS has developed a suite of training programs under the Susan B. Harwood Grant Program in cooperation with OSHA. Developed specifically for the foundry industry, these programs are available to NFFS members at no additional cost. Topics include lead, lockout/tagout, noise exposure, and more.
Regulatory Compliance Hotline
Have you ever had a safety or environmental question, and wished you could call someone for a quick answer? NFFS has you covered! Joseph A. Guimond & Associates has worked with NFFS members for over 25 years as OSHA and EPA Compliance Specialists. Skip and Martha Guimond are well known as industry experts in providing no-nonsense compliance assistance and advice. They are available to assist NFFS members with specific regulatory questions or problems via the NFFS Regulatory Compliance Hotline. All conversations are private and confidential.
Business Development
The Integrated Casting Order Network (ICON) program is a sophisticated, award-winning online portal created for the purpose of connecting metalcasters with those responsible for procuring needed metal castings to support our nation’s military. This web-based resource simplifies the procurement process for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the procurement agency for the Department of Defense (DoD), by leveraging the integration of: 1) A tooling database that catalogs the location of existing defense-related patterns, 2) A database of those foundries that manufacture parts for the defense industry, and 3) A solicitation review process to quickly identify government procurements for cast components.
ICON users receive a daily e-mail notification of bid opportunities matching their foundry’s capabilities. Within the program, users can set easily edit their capabilities and existing tooling, manage their contracts via ICON’s built-in Quotation Management System, upload their current inventory of casting or assemblies, look up and build competitive proposals around a part’s past procurement price history, and send messages and documents to enable potential project partnerships.
Visibility & Recognition
NFFS membership helps put your company in front of potential business partners via multiple channels. All new members are announced in The Crucible newsletter and in the NFFS social media networks upon joining. NFFS also offers ongoing opportunities for publication of press releases and company news, which are read by over 1,500 industry contacts. In addition, all member companies are listed in the NFFS Membership Directory, as well as the Find a Foundry and Find a Supplier search tools, available online 24/7 at the NFFS website. Finally, all NFFS members receive a high-quality NFFS Member plaque for display within their facility, and employees are encouraged to use the NFFS Member logo in their print or online communications, indicating their commitment to supporting the industry and to the mission of the Society.
Research & Development
NFFS is a member of the American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC), an award-winning metalcasting technology development group made up of NFFS, the Steel Founders So-ciety of America (SFSA), the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA), and the American Foundry Society (AFS). The AMC is funded in part by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The AMC conducts research that generates real-world solutions facing DLA and the metal casting industry. The AMC efforts do not result in concept papers—they generate new manufacturing processes, materials applications, and solutions for acquiring metal components with enhanced performance.
Discounts & Special Services
- Grainger Program
Use your NFFS membership to take advantage of product discounts and other Grainger benefits including: discounts on frequently purchased products, exclusive product lines, real-time product availability and order tracking, 10% off all Grainger catalog and online products, prepaid freight on orders shipped via ground transportation, and after-hours emergency services. - Estes Shipping Program
NFFS members receive exclusive member pricing and dedicated support when shipping with Estes! The Estes program is specifically tailored to support the transportation and logistics needs of the North American casting industry. The program is also designed specifically to support NFFS. By using the Estes program for your shipping needs, rebate dollars go right back to the Society to support its mission and enhance programs and activities for members.
- TForce Worldwide Shipping Services
NFFS has partnered with shipping logistics provider TForce Worldwide (TFWW) to provide NFFS members with discounted rates on domestic and international shipping, a wide selection of carriers, and personalized service and assistance with shipments. Receive the industry’s overall best rates from over 75 qualified LTL carriers, as well as instant access to LTL pricing, shipment scheduling, service options, tracking, reporting and more. - Energy Buyers Program through APPI
NFFS has endorsed APPI Energy to provide data-driven procurement solutions that reduce and manage electricity and natural gas supply costs for members on an ongoing basis. Every day, APPI Energy identifies the wide range of energy supplier prices across the U.S., and utilizes that data to provide the lowest prices available among many vetted, competing suppliers.