Welding & Metal Fabrication: Associations, Institutes, and Societies

The Aluminum Association, based in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to aggressively promote aluminum as the most sustainable and recyclable automotive, packaging and construction material in today’s market. The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. The Association provides leadership to the industry through its programs and services and assists in achieving the industry's environmental, societal, and economic objectives. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in the United States, with many conducting business worldwide.

The American Foundry Society is the leading U.S. based metalcasting society that assists member companies (metalcasting facilities, diecasters and industry suppliers) and individuals to effectively manage all production operations, profitably market their products and services and to equitably manage their employees. The American Foundry Society also promotes the interests of the metalcasting industry before the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. With the direction of its volunteer committee structure, the professional staff of the American Foundry Society provides support in the areas of technology, management and education to further activities that will enhance the economic progress of the metalcasting industry.

The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of after-fabrication galvanizers, fabricators, architects, specifiers, and engineers. AGA provides technical support on today’s innovative applications and state-of-the-art technological developments in hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion control.

The AISC is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including: specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, and market development.

The AMBA’s mission is to promote its member services and overall competitiveness in a world market, through membership participation, for continuous improvement to strengthen our industry and establish our value in a global economy. The strength, which the AMBA and its members create through business management and educational programs, helps to ensure a healthy future for both large and small member companies, resulting in quality molds built in America.

The mission of the American Iron and Steel Institute is to influence public policy, educate and shape public opinion in support of a strong, sustainable U.S. and North American steel industry committed to manufacturing products that meet society's needs.

ASM International is the society for materials engineers and scientists, a worldwide network dedicated to advancing industry, technology, and applications of metals and materials.

The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) is a non-profit organization that advances the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. AIST membership is comprised of over 15,000 individuals worldwide and includes iron and steel producers, suppliers, academics and students.

The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) is a vital information source for professionals in the steel distribution industry. Established in 1943, ASD has been a leader in the steel distribution industry for over 60 years providing a strong voice for programs that benefit its’ members and the industry as a whole. The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD) is a non-profit organization, that’s primary mission is to serve the needs of the steel distribution industry’s professionals and to represent their interests.

The CWB Group is an industry supported private sector organization providing welding certification, management systems registration and training services to over 7600 companies in 34 countries. Supported through CWB Certification, CWB Education, CWB Registration, CWB Consulting, and the CWB Association membership, the CWB Group provides a comprehensive and integrated service to the welding and joining industry.

EWI is the leading engineering and technology organization in North America dedicated to the research and development of materials joining and welding. We provide expert materials joining assistance, contract research, consulting services and training to hundreds of members in the aerospace, automotive, government, energy and chemical, heavy manufacturing, medical and electronics industries.

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) is a professional organization with more than 2,000 individual and company members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, and FABTECH. FMA serves members involved in the following processes: bending, blanking, cutting, drawing, extruding, fastening, finishing, leveling, piercing, punching, roll forming, shearing, slitting, spinning, straightening, stamping, swaging, and welding. TPA serves members involved in production and fabrication of welded and seamless pipe and tube. GMN serves members deploying sustainable manufacturing practices. FMA, TPA and GMN membership spans the United States, Canada and Mexico, and reaches into more than 40 other countries.

The GAWDA mission is to promote the safe operation and economic vitality of distributors of industrial gases and related welding equipment and supplies.

A non-profit organization dedicated to the art of metalworking.

The Historical Metallurgy Society is a dynamic and exciting international forum for exchange of information and research in historical metallurgy. For over forty years we have covered all aspects of the history of metals and associated materials from prehistory to the present. Our members' interests range from processes and production through technology and economics to archaeology and conservation.

IFI is an association of manufacturers of bolts, nuts, screws, rivets and all types of special formed parts that works to advance technology and application engineering of fasteners and formed parts through planned research and educational programs. The institute and its members also work with national and international technical organizations to develop standards and other technical practices.

Laser Institute of America (LIA), founded in 1968, is the professional society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.

The Materials Research Society (MRS) is an organization of materials researchers from academia, industry, and government that promotes communication for the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research to improve the quality of life.

The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) offers individuals and companies involved in the surface finishing industry a resource to network, learn and contribute to the industry. NASF is dedicated to providing its members with the highest standards of service, quality and conduct, through information, continuing education, professional services and industry expertise.

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) was formed in 1995 by the metalworking trade associations to develop and maintain globally competitive American workforce. NIMS sets skills standards for the industry, certifies individual skills against the standards and accredits training programs that meet NIMS quality requirements. NIMS operates under rigorous and highly disciplined processes as the only developer of American National Standards for the nation’s metalworking industry accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The Center for Naval Metalworking (CNM) develops and deploys innovative metalworking and related manufacturing technologies to reduce the cost and time to build and repair key U.S. Navy ships and weapons platforms, while also collaborating with other relevant manufacturing industries.

PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1,100 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. PMA leads innovative member companies toward superior competitiveness and profitability through advocacy, networking, statistics, the PMA Educational Foundation, METALFORM tradeshows and MetalForming magazine.

The Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance (RWMA) is a Standing Committee of the American Welding Society, representing an alliance of premier organizations interested in the advancement of the Resistance Welding process. These organizations help promote: education, industry standards, and the advancement of the resistance welding process.

Founded in 1974, RIA is the only trade group in North America organized specifically to serve the robotics industry. Member companies include leading robot manufacturers, users, system integrators, component suppliers, research groups, and consulting firms.

Through its many programs and activities, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning all manufacturing industries and disciplines, plus the key areas of aerospace and defense, medical device, motor vehicles, including motorsports, oil and gas, and alternative energy.

SCI (The Steel Construction Institute) is the leading, independent provider of technical expertise and disseminator of best practice to the steel construction sector. We work in partnership with clients, members and industry peers to help build businesses and provide competitive advantage through the commercial application of our knowledge. We are committed to offering and promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.

The SEAA is the largest non-profit trade organization of its kind for steel erectors, bringing members access to the industry's most essential technical information, networking opportunities, career development tools, and many other exclusive member benefits.

The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) consists of 36 North American companies that operate 130 steel plants and employ approximately 40,000 people. SMA members account for over seventy percent of domestic steel production. The SMA also has 129 Associate Member companies who provide goods and services to the steel industry…The SMA is the primary trade association for scrap-based electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers and rerollers. In 2008, EAF’s are expected to produce approximately 54.6 million metric tons, or 60 percent of the total steel manufactured in the US.

STI/SPFA is a trade association that has as its members fabricators of steel construction products (and their suppliers). Member companies produce steel storage tanks, field erected steel tanks, pressure vessels and heat exchangers and piping and pipelines used in the petrochemical, power generation, food, drug, fuel, wastewater and water transmission industries.

TPA provides the tools and resources companies need to improve operations. TPA informs and educates tube and pipe producing and fabricating professionals through conferences, expositions, magazines, technical research library, networking opportunities, and more. TPA is the technology affiliate of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA).

TWI is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations. Based in Cambridge, UK, since 1946, and with several offices around the world, we have a long history of invention and innovation. We work across all industry sectors and are experts in all aspects of materials joining and related technologies.

The Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) was formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of the Australian Welding Institute and the Australian Welding Research Association. There are currently over 350 member companies and 1,200 personal members. The WTIA's goal is to assist in making Australian industry locally and globally competitive in welding-related activities.

The Welding Research Council brings together science and engineering specialists in developing the solutions to problems in welding and pressure vessel technology.

The World Steel Association was founded as the International Iron and Steel Institute on 19 October 1967…The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 180 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel. worldsteel acts as the focal point for the steel industry, providing global leadership on all major strategic issues affecting the industry, particularly focusing on economic, environmental and social sustainability. worldsteel promotes steel and the steel industry to customers, the industry, media and the general public. It assists its members to develop the market for steel. worldsteel promotes a zero-accident working environment for steel industry employees and contractors.