As the Department of Defense (DOD) continues to address vulnerabilities in its industrial base, one theme has become increasingly clear: surge manufacturing capacity is no longer a future need — it is a current priority.
The call for more robust and agile manufacturing capabilities has put a spotlight on small and mid-sized domestic suppliers. At Waukesha Foundry, we’re proud to say: we are ready. While headlines continue to cite limited capacity across the foundry industry, many shops — including ours — are currently running at about 30 percent utilization. The real challenge is not available space — it is having the right investments, skilled workforce, and strategic alignment in place.
We recognize that meeting future surge demands requires more than open capacity. It requires strategic action, modernization, and collaboration. That is why Waukesha Foundry is actively working with several DOD-sponsored initiatives to build a stronger, more responsive supply chain.
Investing in Automation & Future Readiness
To increase throughput and reduce labor bottlenecks, we are investing in advanced automation across key areas of our process — including cleaning, grinding, cut-off, and inspection of castings. These improvements are not just about speed; they are about repeatability, quality, and long-term scalability.
We are also evaluating upgrades to critical equipment to further optimize flow and reduce turnaround time. Our goal is to eliminate friction points before demand increases, not after.
Collaborating Across the Ecosystem
Waukesha Foundry is working closely with third-party integrators, SFS (Sustainment Framework System) participants, and various government partners to ensure our solutions are aligned with DOD goals. This collaborative approach ensures that our capabilities are not just internal strengths, but active contributions to the wider national defense manufacturing ecosystem.
A Foundry that is Ready to Scale
As a trusted supplier of complex castings to defense and industrial partners, Waukesha Foundry is uniquely positioned to help shoulder the growing demand. We have the floor space, the expertise, and the proactive mindset to expand output quickly and sustainably.
The world has changed, and with it, so have the expectations on America’s manufacturing base. Surge manufacturing doesn’t start when demand spikes — it starts with decisions made today.
We’re not waiting. We’re building. Let’s strengthen the supply chain together.