An electrical fire on July 15 has left the Foundry Educational Foundation out of normal service for the past month, and though the group’s Rolling Meadows, IL, offices now are uninhabitable the staff has relocated and restored much of its operation.
"Because of the backup and retrieval systems, we were conducting business within 24 hours of the fire," FEF executive director Bill Sorensen reports. Importantly, no one was injured but Sorensen estimates that about 35% of the office contents were destroyed. The computer system and important historical documents were salvaged, he says, and the staff is itemizing the loss for insurance purposes and rearranging the office system.
FEF supports the educational and training of future metalcasting engineers, researchers, and executives by sponsoring academic programs at numerous universities. Members include executives with metalcasting organizations, their supplier companies, and academics.
There had been plans already in place to relocate FEF to the American Foundry Society headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, next August. "Because of the fire," Sorensen explains, "these plans have been accelerated." A little more than a month past the fire FEF is using temporary storage and office space at AFS HQ and plans to move into permanent space there in February 2006. "AFS has been extremely gracious and helpful during these trying times," Sorensen reports.
FEF now has a new address, phone and fax numbers, though the Web and e-mail addresses are unchanged. Contact the group at:
1695 Penny Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Tel.: 847-490-9200
Fax: 847-890-6270