AB&I Celebrates with East Oakland Community
August 20, 2019
AB&I CELEBRATES WITH EAST OAKLAND COMMUNITY
OAKLAND, CA August 20, 2019 – AB&I Foundry hosted an event this past Saturday, August 17th at their facility on San Leandro Street. Nearly a thousand people turned out to celebrate 113 years of operation in East Oakland. Guests took behind the scene tours to learn how tons of post-consumer scrap metal is used to manufacture cast iron pipe used in plumbing systems. The guests enjoyed a BBQ lunch, live entertainment, and received gift bags filled with fun giveaways including a cast iron pot. There was even a mobile petting zoo for the children provided by the Oakland Zoo. The event was a great opportunity for the company to celebrate with their East Oakland neighbors. Exhibitors at the event included; Men of Valor, LitLab, the Alameda Food Bank, Urban ReLeaf, Beautification Council, Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School of Arts, the Crucible, Oakland Fire Fighters and Argent Materials.
During the celebration, local dignitaries were invited to speak. Mayor Libby Schaaf said, “I want to commend AB&I for opening your doors and welcoming the community to be part of the amazing thing you are doing here. 113 years - That is a legacy of great working-class job that pay a family’s supporting wage.”
AB&I Foundry employs over 200 team members, many of whom live in the Oakland community and are part of the union. The Company has been extremely active in supporting numerous community projects that benefit the community. Their team members provide countless volunteer hours at local schools, libraries, and the food bank. They have also spearheaded programs such as a large-scale neighborhood clean-up in East Oakland, multiple clean-ups of Elmhurst Creek in support of the Oakland Creek to Bay Clean and Green Initiative. They also sponsor an Annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway with Acts Full Gospel Church helping to nourish the East Oakland Community during the holiday season.
“AB&I creates good paying jobs with health care, retirement, fair and safe working conditions, and has stimulated our economy in the process,” said Assemblyman Rob Bonta. “One thing that is so important to AB&I is engaging the community, and philanthropy is an integrated and inherent part of their business model -- it’s who they are.”
AB&I recycles tons of post-consumer scrap metal used in the production of their product. “Everything that’s a valuable resource we want to use it again, and again, and again. That’s how we protect our planet and we protect our people. That’s what AB&I does, makes sure that metals are used again, and again, and again,” said Senator Nancy Skinner.
It is AB&I’s commitment to be a good neighbor and to protect the health and safety of the entire community, especially children. California’s air quality regulatory requirements are among the toughest in the country. Using state-of-the-art pollution control technology and operational best practices, they not only meet but often exceed those standards. It’s this type of commitment inspired Oakland’s Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to award AB&I Foundry with the Deep Roots Award in recognition as a longtime steward of the local economy helping build the city’s foundation.
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CONTACT: Francesca Dunbar, Vice President Group Marketing
(925) 216-1828 or email Francesca.dunbar@mcwaneplbgrp.com
About AB&I Foundry
AB&I Foundry, based in Oakland, CA, is a division of McWane, Inc. Born in the shadows of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, AB&I Foundry has been producing quality cast iron products for over a hundred years. Acquired by McWane in 2006, AB&I manufactures a full-line of cast iron soil pipe and fittings for DWV systems. In addition, AB&I has become a modern, highly-technological full- service provider of custom OEM gray iron castings for companies nationwide. Through a comprehensive program of water treatment, air pollution reduction, recycling, and solid-waste management, AB&I has set the standard for responsible foundry practices and policies.
About McWane Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama, with companies across the U.S. and around the world. The McWane family of companies casts ductile iron products, including pipe, valves, hydrants, fittings and plumbing products, and manufactures fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems and steel pressure vessels. McWane is a leader in delivering clean, safe drinking water while focusing on safe, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. With more than 7,000 team members, McWane has a longstanding commitment of supporting the communities where our team members live and work. For more information, visit mcwane.com.
