FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waukesha Foundry Advocates for Steel Innovation and Federal Investment During Washington, D.C. Visit
Waukesha, WI — Waukesha Foundry President Steve Cooke recently joined fellow members of the Steel Foundry Society of America (SFSA) in Washington, D.C. to advocate for continued federal support of the Steel Performance Initiative (SPI), a program focused on advancing innovation, automation, and competitiveness across the U.S. steel industry.
During the visit, Cooke met with the offices of U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to highlight the importance of sustained investment in research and advanced manufacturing technologies that support both national defense and commercial applications.
Historically, the steel industry has funded much of its own research and development. However, increasing global competition and margin pressures have limited the sector’s ability to independently support the large-scale innovation required to maintain leadership in critical industries. SPI helps address this challenge by coordinating collaboration among steel producers, academic researchers, and the U.S. Department of Defense, with SFSA serving as program lead.
For decades, advancements in steel technology have been underfunded despite their critical role in national security and industrial competitiveness. Strategic federal investment helps modernize legacy defense systems, enhance protection for service members, and ensure the U.S. industrial base is prepared to meet emerging Department of Defense requirements.
SPI focuses on several key areas of research, including:
- Advancing Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) for integration into weapon systems
- Developing process-driven performance modeling supported by robust datasets to enable Fitness-for-Purpose (FFP) designs
- Establishing Quantitative Nondestructive Testing (QNDT) methods and standards tied directly to performance requirements
- Adapting Industry 4.0 technologies for short-run steel production environments serving small and medium manufacturers
“Continued investment in steel innovation is critical to maintaining a strong and competitive U.S. manufacturing base,” said Cooke. “Programs like SPI bring together industry, academia, and government to accelerate the development of technologies that support both defense readiness and long-term industrial growth.”
Through these initiatives, SPI is helping ensure the United States remains a global leader in both industrial steel manufacturing and defense-critical technologies.
About Waukesha Foundry, Inc.
Founded in 1912, Waukesha Foundry, Inc. is a trusted leader in the production of intricately shaped cast components for demanding applications across a range of industries, including petrochemical, food processing, military, and aviation. With the ability to produce castings from under one pound to over 6,000 pounds in more than 200 different alloys, Waukesha Foundry delivers unmatched flexibility and precision. From lightweight tooling parts to complex, heavy-duty castings, Waukesha Foundry has done it all, and is ready to do it for you.
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