[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  O'FALLEN CASTING--SIXTH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, it is a common refrain today that ``we are 
losing good manufacturing jobs'' in the United States; that 
manufacturing anything in the United States is becoming more and more 
difficult. As a former steel executive, I share the concerns of our 
manufacturing community and blame, in no small part, the onerous 
regulatory burden with which this government has saddled our 
manufacturers for that decline. But, despite what seems to be the best 
efforts of some in Congress and our regulatory agencies, there are 
manufacturing companies in this country who are succeeding and without 
government intervention. One such company is O'Fallon Casting; located 
in my district, they will celebrate their 6-year anniversary on Friday 
October 23.
  Once a division of Hitchiner Manufacturing, Co. O'Fallon Casting has 
roots dating back 40 years in Missouri. But today it has shed its 
traditional past and transformed itself into a modern, high tech 
industry leader positioned for growth in the future. Proving that 
despite an increasingly competitive world economy, innovative U.S. 
manufacturers can and do successfully compete in the global market.
  With the support of ownership, O'Fallon's management team has 
incorporated modern automation of the material handling and production 
systems. Additionally, compression straightening of castings has been 
implemented with four workstations feeding to a single, custom, 500-ton 
press. The company's goal is to provide their customers with access to 
cutting edge technologies.
  Employing 169 people in O'Fallon, Missouri, over the past six years 
the company has also pursued a number of environmentally friendly 
initiatives including high-efficiency lighting and in-house recycling 
of water, wax and metal. In 2004, O'Fallon Casting was recognized by 
the State of Missouri with a prestigious Gold Award for its water 
recycling and waste treatment efforts. The City of O'Fallon named the 
company ``Manufacturer of the Year'' in 2005.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress I have fought to reduce the tax and 
regulatory burden this government places on American business and 
manufacturing as a way to encourage companies, like O'Fallon Casting, 
who are responsible for creating the jobs that employ all our 
constituents. I'm honored to represent the company and its 169 
employees in this House, and congratulate them on their sixth 
anniversary. I pray I will be able to celebrate many more such days 
with them for many years to come.

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