The Framework for Competiton

I would like to thank Foundry Management & Technology for its continued support of the metalcasting industry and the opportunity it gives to CISA every year with the August issue. I hope to give some insight into what CISA does for the industry and highlight how it provides the US market with a global perspective.

This year has seen a lot of new and unfamiliar names make the news. This serves as a reminder of how things change. The names in the news today do not trip off the tongue: Fukushima, Mumbai, Benghazi, and Utoeya. How many of us could find all of them on a map?

This serves as a reminder that the market in which we all compete is becoming more global by the day. Our competitors are no longer just down the street or across the state; indeed the framework for how we compete has changed significantly over the last ten years, even in the metalcasting industry. A good example of this is seen in the production of castings for wind turbines. Due to the large size of these castings, one might expect that they would be produced locally to avoid transport costs. However, this is not the case; sadly, a significant volume of castings for wind turbines are being imported.

CISA was founded more than 90 years ago. While its roots are very American, the current membership reflects the global nature of our markets. I believe this is a strength, as it provides the metalcasting market in the U.S. with access to the best technologies and processes that are being used worldwide.

Importantly, CISA provides a platform for U.S.-based executives to learn from each other. The concept of leader-to-leader learning is well documented, but there are few places where you can experience it in action. There is no shortage of associations or meetings to attend if you are active in the metalcasting industry. Some might say there are too many. But, how many provide the real opportunity for leader-to leader-learning?

The makeup of CISA is changing with the “new guard” of young executives who attend meetings with varying objectives. Having been a member of the “new guard” not so long ago myself, I am happy to see new people with new ideas coming into the association. Their desire to learn is high, and some are lucky enough to find a mentor that can help them navigate a career path. The breadth of knowledge and open environment within CISA can provide this to those willing to invest the time.

The desire to develop the leader-to-leader type relationships that can help them be successful, not only in the U.S., but globally, is its own reward. While CISA provides a wealth of quantifiable benefits to member companies, I would argue that the number one benefit it delivers is the chance to learn from fellow members who are leaders in our global industry.