It is that time of year again – time for FIA members to descend on Washington, D.C. On April 17-18, FIA members will participate in the 15th annual FIA Lobby Day to meet with their members of Congress to discuss key industry issues that directly impact their business. It will likely not surprise anyone that reads this magazine that this year’s Lobby Day topics will include:

• Trade – The President’s decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on imports will undoubtedly have an effect on the forging industry and its suppliers. Lobby Day participants will discuss the effect of tariffs on the industry with key congressional contacts, as well as other timely trade topics such as the renegotiation of NAFTA. 
• Workforce development – There are several pieces of legislation working their way through Congress that focus on strengthening career and technical college programs that are supportive of forging industry careers. There are also attempts to amend current law to allow federal student-aid funds to be applied to non-accredited two-year technical programs and apprenticeships. Forging industry representatives will discuss any and every idea they can think of to help increase the pool of eligible workers for their industry.
• Infrastructure – Not only is a national infrastructure plan important to the movement of manufactured goods, it could lead to the increased sale of forgings in the transportation and infrastructure industries. Our membership will emphasize to Congress the importance of a responsible infrastructure plan that focuses on improving transportation pathways and increasing forging sales.

Where is your voice?

Consider membership in the Forging Industry Association. FIA represents forgers and forging-related suppliers to our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. on issues that matter, including fair trade investigation, workforce development and trade policies (such as Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs under current discussion) that make sense and don’t harm FIA and other manufacturers further down the supply chain. 

FIA’s Public Policy Committee is an outstanding group of individuals and companies who have been fighting the good fight on behalf of all members for many years now. Our 10-year partnership with the Laurin Baker Group has ensured we are represented in Washington and that our voices are heard. 

FIA’s current forging-producer membership represents only 25% of the North American industry. Given today’s rapidly changing political climate, at no time has it been more important for your company to step up to FIA membership so that we can adequately represent the industry with relevant programs and effective representation in Washington. 

By the time you read this issue, the cherry blossoms will be blooming along the Tidal Basin, and FIA members will be packing their bags to talk to Congress about issues critical to our industry. Please reach out today to discuss your membership in FIA, and let’s work together to make our industry stronger and more secure. 

Please refer any questions or comments to James Warren, FIA president and CEO (left). He can be reached directly at 216-781-6260 or jwarren@forging.org. Jennifer Baker Reid (right) is FIA’s Washington Representative. For additional information, visit www.forging.org.