The Die Casting Industry just completed the 2017 Die Casting Congress & Tabletop in Atlanta, Georgia last week.
This event included three days of Congress sessions (Congress sessions are technical papers presentations by the author). This year the Show featured more than 140 suppliers exhibiting the latest advancements in die casting technology and services. Attendance at the show was approximately 1000 people which was nearly the same as last year’s show.
NADCA also hosted an event on Monday evening, “After Hours with the Exhibitors”. This event took place on the show floor from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm after the official show was closed but the event space stayed open. It was a happy hour with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and offered the attendees the opportunity to spend a little extra time visiting the exhibitors.
NADCA also held the signature Industry Awards Luncheon. This complimentary lunch on Tuesday afternoon (9-19-17) celebrated the winners of the Doehler Award, the International Die Casting Design Awards, the Committee Member of the Year Award, the Best Congress Paper Award, the Industry Education Award and the Safety Awards. This event is the perfect opportunity to honor those that have greatly impacted the industry and mingle with other individuals in the die casting community.
This year we had the privilege of honoring John Walker with the prestigious Doehler Award. John has been involved in die casting for nearly 50 years, starting at the age of 14. He has been the President – CEO of Walker Die Casting in Lewisburg, TN since 1995 and has grown Walker Die Casting to 35 cold chamber machines ranging in tonnage from 1000 to 4500 tons. Walker Die Casting has revenues approaching $200,000,000 and is one of the most successful and largest privately owned die casters in the world. Much of this is due to the leadership and direction provided by John Walker.
I had the honor of presenting John with his award last week since I am the Awards Committee Chairman. I have known John for nearly 30 years from his involvement with NADCA committees, and he just served the past six years on the NADCA Executive Committee.
The Herman H. Doehler Award is given to recipients in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the die casting industry or to the art of die casting.
This Award looks at three areas of achievement in die casting: Technical Achievement; Advancement in Plant Operations; and/or Other Activities that result in the enhancement of the reputation and acceptability of die castings.
If you have any parts that may be a potential die casting and you would like Premier to review, please send your drawings or files to lc@diecasting.com. We will perform a free analysis and submit a quotation for the project.
