Waupaca Foundry is again the recipient of environmental awards from both national trade organizations and customers. The foundry won the American Foundry Society (AFS) 2023 Green Foundry Award for its ongoing commitment to sustainable production processes and energy reduction. 

Waupaca Foundry, a leading supplier of gray and ductile iron castings globally, named James Newsome, vice president of sales & marketing for the company. Newsome will succeed John Wiesbrock who will remain on as executive vice president.
 

Waupaca Foundry has been honored by the American Foundry Society in two significant operational areas. Bryant Esch, director of environmental engineering for Waupaca Foundry, received the 2021 Environmental, Health & Safety Service Award. This award is presented to individuals in the industry for dedication and service to help build and improve environmental, safety and health conditions within the metalcasting industry. 
 

Waupaca Foundry creates opportunity for students at its foundry and machining locations through mentoring programs and scholarships in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee.
 

Sutton served in his current role since May 2016 leading manufacturing operations for Waupaca Foundry’s six iron foundries and two machining plants. During Sutton’s tenure, he played a critical role in the deployment of lean manufacturing strategies and business plan deployment. In the process, he served as a champion for progressing the manufacturing production management system and contributed significantly to our culture of continuous improvement.
 

ZF Company’s Commercial Vehicle Control Systems division (F.K.A. WABCO) recognized Waupaca Foundry with a 2020 Partner in Quality award for the safe launch of a machined air disc brake component used in trailer wheel end assemblies.

Waupaca Foundry is the recipient of the 2020 Better Project award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Plants program for innovations at its Tell City, Indiana plant. The federal program recognizes manufacturers for creating and implementing industrial energy and water efficiency projects, as well as renewable energy and energy resiliency projects.

Waupaca Foundry will close its ductile iron foundry in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania in early August 2020. The closure is an alignment of manufacturing operations in the United States and is a result of capacity that exceeds demand in the supply chain.
 

Waupaca Foundry, has earned General Motors 2018 Global Supplier Quality Excellence Award for supply chain excellence. The award recognizes the Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania ductile iron plant, which makes suspension components for General Motors (GM).
 

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., is the recipient of the 2019 Business Friend of the Environment award in the category of environmental innovation. The iron component supplier was honored for outstanding leadership in integrating sustainable business practices throughout its manufacturing operations.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., announces it is opening a machining operation adjacent to its gray iron foundry located on the east side of Waupaca. The new Waupaca Foundry machining plant is located at 600 Industrial Drive, Waupaca, Wis., and will machine brake components for the commercial vehicle market.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., has entered into separate manufacturing alliances with Dotson Iron Castings (Dotson) and Kohler Industrial Castings (Kohler). Under the agreements, Waupaca Foundry customers requesting horizontal molding will access Kohler’s and Dotson’s capabilities with a streamlined supply chain managed by Waupaca Foundry.

Waupaca Foundry, has been named the 2018 Large Business of The Year by the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. The iron casting component supplier, headquartered and operating two gray iron foundries in Waupaca, Wisconsin, was recognized for its business practices and commitment to the community. Waupaca Foundry was previously honored with this award in 2003 and 2012 by the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce and in 2016 by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce (Indiana).

Waupaca Foundry, is expanding operations into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and will open a new facility to process iron castings produced at its Waupaca, Wis. plants. The foundry plans to locate a facility in Ironwood, Michigan with an investment of $4.3 million and create 61 new jobs. Waupaca Foundry employs 4,500 team members at seven locations throughout the United States.

One Waupaca area teen got her Christmas wish already, and it has nothing to do with online shopping or going to the mall. ​Chloe Heisler has been active in the Wreaths Across America program for the last four years. On December 15, national “Wreaths Across America Day,” she and her family will be laying wreaths on the graves at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. This year thanks to her fundraising and donations raised by the Waupaca chapter of the American Legion Riders Association of Wisconsin, all 7,274 graves at King will bear holiday wreaths.​

Waupaca-area employees of Waupaca Foundry will be able to participate in a trend-setting program designed to make healthcare easier to access. Waupaca Foundry will partner with ThedaCare to staff a dedicated medical clinic for foundry team members and their families located in the Specialty Care Clinic in ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca at 800 Riverside Drive, Waupaca.

For the second consecutive year, Waupaca Foundry has received the 2017 Outstanding Quality award from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Waupaca Foundry was one of 73 global suppliers to receive this award out of more than 2,500 suppliers and was the only foundry recognized. Waupaca Foundry has supplied iron castings to Fiat-Chrysler since 1999 including crankshafts used in automotive powertrains.

One of the world’s leading brands honored Waupaca Foundry for excellence in launching iron casting parts used on materi​​​al handling equipment. Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM), a division of Toyota Industries North America, is a top-selling forklift producer in the United States. Waupaca Foundry has supplied iron castings to TIEM since 2002 including hubs, drums, brackets, wheels and sheaves.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., is partnering with the Appleton area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several state-based foundries to better identify risk in the workplace for both employers and workers. Seven Wisconsin foundries and three unions joined with OSHA to sign the Northeast Wisconsin Risk Reduction Partnership on March 28, 2018 on the Campus of Fox Valley Technical College. WAUPACA FOUNDRY PARTNERS WITH OSHA FOR INNOVATIVE WORKER SAFETY PROGRAM

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., has earned Q1 Certification from Ford Motor Company. The achievement confirms Waupaca Foundry—Tell City consistently delivers high quality products on time to Ford customers and Q1 certification is a milestone in the pursuit of quality. Foundry leaders accepted the recognition during formal flag-raising ceremonies held on November 2 at its iron casting foundry in Tell City, Indiana. ​WAUPACA FOUNDRY EARNS FORD Q1 CERTIFICATION; FORD’S PREFERRED QUALITY STATUS

Waupaca Foundry has received a 2017 Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program.

Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Co. has once again bestowed honors on Waupaca Foundry. The foundry recently received Kawasaki’s Environmental Stewardship Award, the company’s fourth award from the engine maker since 2011.

As part of Waupaca Foundry's strong legacy of creating opportunity for our employees and their families, we are pleased to announce that the company awarded $36,000 in scholarships across the United States. Most of the graduating seniors are children of current employees and scholarships have been awarded to those attending two-year and four-year colleges. 

Waupaca Foundry Inc., received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Army Reserves. Kyle Myszka, a metallurgist at the Marinette ductile iron foundry, nominated his supervisor Joe Keske and Human Resources Manager Phil Eatherton for being supportive while he served in Army Reserves officer candidate school. All are employed at Waupaca Foundry located at 805 Ogden St., Marinette, Wis.

The American Foundr​y Society (AFS) honored Waupaca Foundry leaders with industry achievement awards at the 2017 Metalcasting Congress held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The awards are for individual contributions within the metalcasting industry.

Waupaca Foundry, has been honored with two distinctions by the American Foundry Society's (AFS). At the 121st Metalcasting Congress, it will receive the Divisional Plant Engineering Award for core room expansion improvements at two gray iron foundries located in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Additionally, the iron casting supplier earned Best In Class for a ductile iron suspension casting converted from aluminum that achieved one of the Detroit Big Three's lightweighting objectives for a major automotive platform. These awards are representative of Waupaca Foundry's commitment to manufacturing innovation and a longstanding culture of continuous improvement.

Waupaca Foundry Inc., announces its Waupaca-based gray iron foundry is the first United States metalcaster to receive the accredited ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification. The certification was a result of energy conservation initiatives at Waupaca Foundry's plant located at 406 N. Division St., Waupaca, one of three gray iron foundries the company operates in Waupaca, Wisconsin. As a result of this and other energy conservation initiatives, the firm also received a $100,000 incentive from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., has earned recognition as a Partner-level supplier for 2016 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. Waupaca Foundry was selected for its dedication to providing outstanding quality iron castings as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Foundry leaders accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held on January 11, 2017 in Moline, Illinois at Deere & Company’s Ag & Turf Division headquarters.​
 

A love of hunting and a commitment to support veterans has prompted a Waupaca man to donate deer hides to the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. Since 2012, Dave Hintz has donated $14,000 through his Hides 4 Heroes project thanks to a partnership with Waupaca Foundry and regional hunters. In 2015, Hintz collected 780 deer hides from harvests throughout Wisconsin and this year, he hopes to break records.

The City of Waupaca will dedicate a new Eco Park on Saturday, September 10 from 10:30-1:30. The park is the result of collaborative efforts from a wide range of community partners and is a joint project between the City of Waupaca and CAP Services.

Waupaca Foundry, has received the Bosch North American Supplier Award at its North America Supplier meeting in Mexico City. Waupaca Foundry’s Plant 1 in Waupaca, Wis. supplies gray iron castings used in mobile hydraulic assemblies manufactured at Bosch’s Fountain Inn, South Carolina plant. The foundry was honored for achieving high levels of quality, pricing, reliability, technology and continuous improvement.

Waupaca Foundry, has been awarded 2016 Large Business of The Year by Perry County Chamber of Commerce. Operating in Tell City, Indiana, the gray and ductile iron foundry was recognized for its business practices and contributions to the community. Over 155 business professionals and community leaders gathered on June 21, 2016 at The Schergens Center to recognize award nominees and recipients.

Hitachi Metals America, LLC accepted Honda Motor Company’s 2015 Excellence in Quality Award for products made at its Waupaca Foundry plants. The award acknowledges suppliers who meet Honda’s philosophy of consistently exceeding expectations and is given annually to suppliers who reach the top of their commodity classification as measured by Honda’s quality and warranty performance index.

Waupaca Foundry, announces that its COO and President, Mike Nikolai will be appointed to Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2016. Longtime CEO Gary Gigante, announces his retirement effective the end of the company’s first quarter 2016. Also announcing his retirement, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kris Pfaehler who will be succeeded by Executive Vice President John Wiesbrock.

We have completed the merger with Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA, LLC as of April 1, 2016. Under the terms of the merger, Waupaca Foundry will assume the assets and liabilities of Hitachi Metals Automotive Components. The merger solidifies our vision to increase revenue and profitability while maintaining diversity across markets and sectors.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. announces that the merger with Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA, LLC is finalized as of April 1, 2016. Under the terms of the merger, Waupaca Foundry will assume the assets and liabilities of Hitachi Metals Automotive Components. The merger solidifies Waupaca Foundry’s vision to increase revenue and profitability while maintaining diversity across markets and sectors.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. announces it will merge with Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA, LLC (HMAC). The merger is part of a larger reorganization within Hitachi Metals Foundry America designed to position the integrated organization for growth and meet customer demand. Waupaca Foundry will assume the assets and liabilities of HMAC; both companies are currently subsidiaries of Hitachi Metals Foundry America (HMFA). After the merger, HMAC will become a division of Waupaca Foundry, but will continue to operate under the HMAC name. Subject to customary conditions, the merger is expected to be complete on April 1, 2016.

Waupaca Foundry, is celebrating its 60th year in business. When iron casting began on the banks of the Waupaca River in 1955, company leaders could not predict their business would become the world’s largest gray and ductile iron producer. Today, Waupaca Foundry employs 3,900 employees at six plants in Wisconsin, Indiana and Tennessee. The firm produces gray iron, ductile iron, and austempered ductile iron castings for global markets in the automotive, commercial vehicle, off highway and industrial sectors. 

Residents of Perry County will have a new helipad for use by emergency services when Waupaca Foundry, unveils the site September 15, 2015. The helipad is located at the south side of the foundry’s property and is part of a larger parking lot addition.
 

Waupaca Foundry Inc., announces it received a $399,830 incentive from Etowah Utilities for an energy conservation program managed by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) called EnergyRight® Solutions for Business. In June 2015, the Waupaca Foundry plant in Etowah, Tennessee replaced 75% of lighting fixtures in office and plant locations with energy-saving LED fixtures making it the largest lighting upgrade for the foundry. The Etowah plant is located at 134 Waupaca Drive and employs 560 workers.

Waupaca Foundry Inc., received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Wisconsin National Guard. Supervisor Darrell Bartel was nominated for being highly supportive and respectful of his team member, Thomas Walecki while he was on active duty. Both men work at the gray iron foundry located at 406 N. Division St., Waupaca.

Waupaca Foundry, was honored with the 2014 Supplier Recognition Award by Linamar Corporation. Waupaca Foundry was recognized as the top supplier in the castings commodity category for achieving excellence in the areas of quality, delivery, service, and support. Waupaca Foundry is the largest supplier of gray iron and ductile iron castings in the world.

W​aupaca Foundry, was named supplier of the year for the fourth time from American Valve & Hydrant. The honor was earned by the ductile iron casting supplier located in Marinette, Wis., which was previously honored in 2011, 2009 and 2005. Waupaca Foundry is the largest producer of ductile and gray iron castings in the world. The foundry supplies ductile iron valves, bonnets and other parts for American Valve & Hydrant which are used in producing fire hydrants and other water works products.

A homeless shelter in Menominee, Mich. will be able to serve more families thanks to a donation from Waupaca Foundry in Marinette, Wis. The Abundant Life Mission serves homeless individuals in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula including the twin cities of Marinette and Menominee.

Waupaca Foundry Inc., is admitted to the state’s prestigious Green Tier program. The program recognizes businesses that voluntarily meet environmental regulatory standards and proven environmental sustainability. Green Tier cites more than 80 Wisconsin companies that are working with the program as environmental leaders in the state. The program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Waupaca Foundry, Inc., announces several leadership changes coinciding with the start of its fiscal year 2015 on April 1. The changes will positively impact operations and further accelerate the company’s strategic growth and continuous improvement initiatives.

Waupaca Foundry, the largest producer of gray iron, ductile iron and compacted graphite iron castings in the world, named Roland (Rob) Johnson, chief financial officer and vice president of finance for the company. Johnson succeeds Michael Pawielski who retired on December 31, 2014.​

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. announced today the completion of its acquisition by Hitachi Metals. Waupaca Foundry, Inc. is the world’s largest producer of ductile iron and gray iron castings. Hitachi Metals is a world leader in material development and materials technology and has expanded to become a high-functional material provider serving a wide array of industries since its beginnings in 1910.

Waupaca Foundry, the largest producer of ductile iron and gray iron castings in the world, was named supplier of the year for the third time from American Valve & Hydrant and recognized for environmental stewardship by Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp.

Waupaca Foundry is featured in the second annual Inc. magazine Hire Power Awards, recognizing the private businesses that have generated the most jobs in the past 18 months. From January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, Waupaca Foundry generated 414 jobs placing first among Wisconsin honorees and ranking 29th among job creators nationally. Waupaca Foundry produces gray iron and ductile iron castings. It operates four iron foundry plants in Wisconsin, one plant each in Tell City, Indiana and Etowah, Tennessee and employs more than 3,700 nationally.

Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corporation, U.S.A. (KMM), located in Maryville, MO,  has named Waupaca Foundry Inc. winner of its 2012 Supplier of the Year award, the only company to receive this recognition.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) will get assistance from Waupaca Foundry in building fish habitat and restocking fish populations this spring. Starting in early May, WDNR workers will use the docking facilities at Waupaca Foundry’s Marinette plant to stock fish in the Bay of Green Bay. In past years, WDNR workers have released yearling fish further upstream on the Menominee River, but dredging operations and low water levels require releasing the fish closer to the mouth of the river.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. was named Large Business of the Year for 2013 by the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented in the Chamber’s annual banquet on January 24, 2013. To qualify, the company must be in business for five or more years, have more than 20 employees, provide community service and enrich life in the community.

Officials at Waupaca Foundry, Inc., have received a commendation from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Program. In this program, companies voluntarily make energy efficiency a business goal, establish energy management plans and commit to reduce the energy intensity of manufacturing operations by 25% over 10 years.