inside tcma comments from the chairman meanwhile in texas 2 july... · 2020-06-20 ·...
TRANSCRIPT
TCMAINC.ORG serves as a valuable
resource for our members. Go online
to read about our newest members
to the association, members’ achieve-
ments, the latest updates on our bul-
letin board and the latest news in the
foundry business.
Please send company news, legis-
lative inquiries, product updates
and employee highlights to
TCMAINC.ORG.
This TCMA newsletter is developed
by the association to improve com-
munication and provide members
with the latest news and legislative
action concerning their companies
and the cast metals industry.
Welcome
Visit our website W W W.T C M A I N C . O R G
Let us hear from you!
ISSUE 02 / JULY 2017
INSIDE TCMAMeanwhile in Texas
IN THIS ISSUE:
01 Meanwhile in Texas
02 Comments from the Chairman
02 Upcoming Events
03 Member Showcase: Frazier & Frazier 04 Chairman’s Comments Cont.
2
Comments from the Chairman
There has been a flurry of activity this year in Texas metalcasting circles. During and after
our annual meeting in Austin, the Texas Cast Metals Association has been working with the
Texas Association of Business to stay on top of issues facing our industry. As you will read in
our Chairman’s comments, the Texas Delegation to the AFS Government Affairs Conference
returned with an inventory of action items, including the ever present Silica Rule. TCMA Chair-
man Owen Daniel was selected to be the spokesperson for the Texas group. Foundry industry
members as well as a host of other industries are facing a rapidly approaching silica compli-
ance deadline in 2018.
Texas metalcasters will have a couple of educational opportunities in the coming months.
These will offer not only technical information but also regulatory insight for our members.
The Texas Chapter of the AFS will hold their Regional Conference in September in Fort Worth.
TCMA Directors will also meet in September to plan for the 2018 annual meeting. National
AFS will convene their Casting Congress in Fort Worth in April. What a great time this is for
Texas metalcasters! We recommend that you take advantage of these offerings as well as keep
in touch with your elected officials, local, state, and national.•
Dear TCMA Members and Fellow Cast Metals Travelers,
As many of you are aware, your TCMA Chapter sent two delegates (Dr Clifford Smith and myself)
to the AFS Government Affairs Fly-in in Washington DC commencing on June 21. In this issue I
would like to ‘recap’ that meeting (I mention in passing that this years’ attendance was reportedly
DOUBLE that of last year).
The ‘General Sessions’ began on Tuesday Morning and the attendees were addressed by knowl-
edgeable (even ‘expert’) speakers on a variety of topics; which was intended to prepare the Del-
egates for visits to their respective Congressional Representatives on Capitol Hill the following day.
Several hot topics affecting Our Beloved Cast Metals Industry (with relevant talking points) are
listed below:
Trump Administration Water Infrastructure Plan Congress will be considering legislation that will
provide critical funding and provisions to re-build Our Nation’s Water Infrastructure; urge your
reps to:
• Include a PERMENANT ‘American Iron and Steel’ procurement clause
• Remove the Cap on Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bonds
• Fully-fund the State Revolving Loans Funds Programs
• Fully-fund the WIFIA Act
In tandem with the above:
Trump Administration ‘Hire American/Buy American’ Water Infrastructure Initiative
• This speaks for itself. Urge your Reps to adopt a ‘Buy American’ Procurement Regulation/
Clause that includes meaningful Registration, Audit and Penalty for Non-Compliance Pro-
visions. The glaring lack of such provisions is what caused the ‘recovery act’--enacted by
the previous Administration--to effectively fail to significantly help American Foundries/
Workers.
Commonsense Regulatory Reform There is not enough time or space to cover this topic entirely,
see ‘bullet points’ with brief talking points/editorial below:
• Urge your Lawmakers to support the Regulatory Accountability Act (eg, SB. 951/ HR 5)
• Beryllium Copper Rule (most foundries will be minimally affected). Your Chair can provide
further details upon request ([email protected]).
• OSHA’s New Silica Rule: The elephant in the room. Despite encouraging words like ‘regu-
latory roll-back’ from the Trump Administration, without favorable litigation outcome or
Direct Congressional Review/Intervention (something that happens very rarely), this Rule
WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SOME FORM on/about June 2018 (at the very least,
affected Foundries will need to have done their feasibility study and have a Written Expo-
sure Control Plan available for review/audit).
from Owen Daniel
September 21 - 23Texas AFS Regional
Conference
September 21TCMA Board of Directors
Meeting
October 27Texas Chapter AFS Meeting
at Choctaw Casino
Upcoming Events
TCMA Chairman Owen Daniel being interviewed for a future AFS Podcast at the Metalcasting Industry Reception & Recog-
nition Awards to Members of Congress.
Pictured here, left to right, outside the office of Senator Ted Cruz are: Clifford Smith, Texas Cast Metals Association; Bryon Barber, Canfield & Joseph; Harry Seibel, REFCOTEC; Patricio Gil, Blackhawk de Mexico and president of AFS; Owen Daniel, Midland Manufac-
turing; Craig Schmeisser, Fairmount Santrol; and Doug Kurkul, AFS CEO.
Continued on Page 4
3 4
Member Showcase
Frazier & Frazier
TCMA OFFICERS
CHAIRMANOWEN DANIELGENERAL MANAGERMIDLAND MFG. CO.4800 ESCO DR.FORT WORTH, TX [email protected]
VICE-CHAIRMAN HARRY PHILLIPSOIL CITY IRON WORKS814 SOUTH MAIN ST.CORSICANA, TX 75110hphillips@ociwcom
SECRETARY / TREASURERJOHNNY HILLMARTIN [email protected]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCLIFFORD SMITHPHONE [email protected]
DIRECTORS TO EXPIRE 2016LEE BURGAMYGamtex Industries.MARK SHELTONOil City Iron WksCLAUDE FAIRProtech CoatingsTED KEENSuperior Cast Metals, Inc.JERALD MITTASCHQuality Electric Steel Casting
DIRECTORS TO EXPIRE 2017LARRY BAILEY Henderson Mfg.DAN SMITHSouthwest Steel Casting Co.DAN YRIGOYENFairmount MineralsSTEVE HODGESCanfield and Joseph
DIRECTORS TO EXPIRE 2018PETER MACLERPeter E. Macler AssociatesMACKENZIE MEEKOFDenison IndustriesBRETT MOREHEADPorter Warner IndustriesTIM SCHULZC & L Aluminum FoundryGEORGE WESTHOFF, JR.Midland Mfg., CO. DIRECTOR EX-OFFICIOTOM MCCORMACK
We are told to understand that the only Office that can unilaterally give any relief in time to
mitigate the resultant harm (not only to foundries but other Sectors--e.g., Construction, ce-
ment, agriculture, aggregate processors, etc.) is the Office of Secretary of Labor.
One of the (many) glaring flaws in the Promulgation of this Rule is the gross under-estimation by
the Agency of the annual Implementation Cost to the Industry (their estimate is $53 million per
year; the Industry Estimate is closer to $2.2 BILLION per year). As you conduct your Feasibility
Study (and have extrapolated it in terms of dollars in cost) be prepared to provide those numbers
(to the TCMA or National AFS) and ask your Reps to contact the Secretary of Labor and urge him to
delay, re-open, revise or nullify the Silica Rule.
Despite that ominous preamble, I am urging TCMA Members to engage a trusted PE to help you
understand the New Rule and conduct your feasibility study (a PE seal lends mucho credibility to
the feasibility statements made regarding the project), and to invest in engineering controls cau-
tiously and wisely. And don’t go to sleep on this! Your TCMA Board and Staff intends to help you
stay apprised of developments/changes related to the New Silica Rule.
Meaningful & Comprehensive Tax Reform tell your Lawmakers that you support:
• Lower Tax Rates for Business of all sizes (we currently have the highest corporate rate of
any ‘westernized’ nation)
• Repeal of the Estate Tax
• Strengthen R & D Incentives
• Full expensing of capital equipment/expansion (including R & D)
Fair Trade Agreements tell your Lawmakers that you support Trade Initiatives that:
• Strictly enforce existing Trade Laws and Agreements (until they are nullified or repealed)
• Make existing law/agreements more accessible to supply-chain Industries
• Ensure that any Broad Trade Revisions/Remedies include US Metal-casters as a ‘Critical
Domestic Industry’ (vis-à-vis Trade Expansion Act of 1962).
• Rigorously inspect incoming freight & carriers; harsh penalties for non-compliance
(‘cheating’)
• Continue to address China’s Unfair Trade and Monetary Practices, and continue to treat
them as a ‘non-market’ economy.
I will now quote Sir Winston Churchill: “Americans always try to do the Right Thing; but only after
they have tried everything else first.” Well, he was a Great Man and that quip is very clever. But
we all know the truth: that without American ingenuity and intervention, his heirs would probably
be speaking German right now. I say: “Americans can get things done, and let’s get this done right
the first time!” •
Regards and Clear Sailing,
Owen Daniel,
GM, Midland Mfg; TCMA Chair; Texas AFS Scholarship Chair; Gov Affairs Director Non-Ferrous
Founders’ Society; TCEQ/SBAC Chair
Frazier & Frazier Industries Inc., founded in 1972, is a family owned busi-
ness dedicated over generations to quality, on-time delivery, and total
customer satisfaction.
We have been supplying quality castings all over the world for over 45
years. Continuous improvements being one of our core focus has lead us
to re-invest in some of the most advanced and hi-tech equipment on the
market today. Our business is supported by a group of loyal, long term,
hardworking and dedicated foundry men.
Frazier & Frazier has been manufacturing Ductile & Gray Iron castings
ranging from a few ounces to 200 pounds. Our sales and management
team have worked hard to cater to a well-balanced and diversified list of
industries. Oil & water, agriculture, automotive, chemical industry, print-
ing, industrial engineering, construction & infrastructure industry are
some of the few product lines we support. Our turn around capability to
go from a print to a finished part is unbeatable in the foundry industry.
Our success is because of our customers, our team and our vendors.•
Chairman’s Comments Continued