Corporate History

The Canadian Foundry Association (CFA) was incorporated in 1975 by the leadership of Canada’s leading foundries.  The association provides one voice to represent and address specific issues impacting the industry and deal with Canadian government relations.

The CFA established and welcomed associate membership for foundry industry suppliers in 1988, and they are represented by the Canadian Foundry Association Suppliers Group.

The CFA is an issues-driven association. The members, both regular and associate, have always been the foundation of the CFA.

The leadership and the issue committees provide the vital effort and expertise to deal with issues that have an impact on the foundry industry.

The Modern Foundry Technologies Institute (MFTI) was officially opened at Mohawk College in  Hamilton in November 2000 through the efforts of the CFA, the AFS, Mohawk College, the foundry industry and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Strategic Skills Initiative.

The Foundry Educational Foundation, Canada was established in 2008.  The FEF allows Canadians to make charitable donations in support of the education and skills required in the foundry industry now and in the future.  An annual College Industry Conference is held in Hamilton.

Metal Casting Industry

• Metal castings are the first step in the value-added manufacturing chain and are utilized in the manufacture of most durable goods.  Metal castings are a strategic component of the manufacturing base.
• Foundry operations have always been varied and complex, and have become even more so, since the industry has changed drastically in recent years.  Foundries no longer produce just a raw casting.  Today, many modern foundries design the parts, build the tooling, cast the prototypes, make the casting, machine the casting, assemble the casting and produce a component or assembly ready to install on the customer’s assembly line.  Because of this value added work, the foundry sector is no longer just foundry operations.  Many foundries are designers, casters, machiners and assemblers of value added parts.  After sales service is another aspect of value added work.
• Castings range in size from a few ounces to many tons and metals poured in their production include iron, steel, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, brass and bronze.
• Raw material is typically recycled metal, thereby conserving precious natural resources and energy.
• Markets and industries served by foundries include the automotive sector, construction, agriculture, forestry, mining, pulp and paper, heavy industrial machinery and equipment, aircraft and aerospace, plumbing, soil pipe, municipal road castings, defence, railway, petroleum and petrochemical, electric distribution and a myriad of specialty markets.

  Additional Activities & Programs

• Education 
  – Modern Foundry Technologies Institute (MFTI)
  - Foundry Educational Foundation - Canada
• Energy Efficiency – Partnership CFA/Office of Energy Efficiency, NRCan
  - Dollars to Sense Workshops
  - Guide to Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Canadian Foundries Foundry
  - Foundry Audits
  - Funding Available for CIPEC leaders
• Environment Committee
• Occupational Health & Safety Program
• Annual Meeting (September 2013)
• Issues Meeting (March 2013)