Author: Renee Butler : 11/04/13

In the late 1950’s, several of the world’s major open die forgers began discussing the idea of formally getting together every three years in order to give an overview of the industry in their respective countries and provide a forum for presenting technical papers on a variety of topics important to the industry. An IFM Steering Group was formed comprised of members from the U.S., Germany, Japan, Italy, the U.K., and France and the first IFM was held in Terni, Italy in 1961. Subsequently, Korea was added to the Steering Group.

Since then, seventeen more IFM’s have been held, with the 18th in Pittsburgh in September 2011 which was co-hosted by EGI and the Forging Industry Association (FIA). The 19th IFM will be hosted by Japan in Tokyo, September 29th to October 3rd, 2014. At the Steering Group’s October 18th meeting, Kevin Handerhan was elected Chairman effective for the 19th IFM.

This is a great honor for Kevin personally as well as for EGI as the IFM is the most prominent open die forging and rolled ring organization in the world. At the time of the first IFM, Bethlehem Steel, U.S. Steel and Midvale-Heppenstall were arguably the three best open die forgers in the world. All three have long since closed their doors, while ELLWOOD has taken its place as one of the world’s best.

Congratulations Kevin!