On April 16th, 2026, GK SYSTEMS, a system integrator based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, joined Ford Meter Box, a waterworks product manufacturer, to present at a Metalcasting Congress breakout session. The educational presentation focused on the planning and implementation of greenfield foundry projects from both the EPC and the customer’s perspectives. 

Those who attended the session walked away with valuable insight into greenfield project planning and construction, with a focus on government support and utility planning. The foundries highlighted challenges encountered during their projects and emphasized early planning and budgeting, while the EPCs attending noted the importance of communicating goals to the appropriate technical experts.

Speaker Bob Boyer, Senior Construction Manager at General Kinematics, remarked, “It’s extremely important to have support as you’re planning these projects. I hope the attendees walked away with a better understanding of the scope of these projects and what needs to be taken into consideration during the planning process.”

Andy Bain, Vice President & General Manager at Ford Meter Box, described the experience “Ford Meter Box was pleased to have our partners, GK and GK SYSTEMS, join us in sharing our perspective on planning and executing a greenfield foundry project. Projects of this scale require early alignment, strong communication, and the right partners at the table. We appreciated the opportunity to discuss lessons learned and help others better understand the planning, budgeting, and coordination needed for a successful project. At a time of extraordinary growth in the foundry industry, we’re grateful for the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience as others explore similar investments that strengthen the industry as a whole.”

Jim Egan, Chief Revenue Officer of General Kinematics, added, “We’re proud to join Ford Meter Box in sharing insights at this year’s Casting Congress. Ford Meter Box has built a reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability, and our relationship reflects what’s possible when two American manufacturing leaders work together to solve real customer challenges.” 

The presentation’s key takeaway was that choosing the right partner for your project is crucial, as large-scale projects are unlikely to succeed when undertaken alone or with the wrong integrator.

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