Eagle Group Blog | Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook is Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Eagle Alloy in Muskegon, MI. While enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, he began working at Eagle Alloy in 1986 as a snag grinder on 3rd shift after his father told him to “Get a job!” Jeff is past President of the American Foundry Society. His passions include educating young people on the careers and advancement available in the metalcasting industry.

Recent Posts

How a New Drum Blast Eliminated a Production Bottleneck

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2021 Jun 2

Eagle Alloy takes pride in our reputation as a world-class metalcasting facility, and we make sure every batch of castings is ready for the customer before it leaves our facility. In most cases, the final step before packing and shipping is blasting. The blasting process removes burrs, flash and other excess metal from cast parts and improves their overall surface.

Read More

Tags: Facilities, Equipment

Imagine a World Without Steel Casting Supply Issues

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2020 Jul 22

We don't have to say how good we are. Our customers do it for us!

Every six months, Eagle Alloy invites customers to fill out a survey rating their satisfaction with our services. We ask about every aspect of the supplier-customer relationship, from answering phone calls and emails to on-time delivery. Our company was founded in 1979 with a goal of providing high-quality castings and superior customer service; customer feedback is invaluable to us as we seek to better align our activities with our guiding principles.

Read More

Tags: Eagle Alloy, Testimonials

Staying Open Through COVID-19: Advice from an Essential Business

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2020 May 13

Operating as an essential business during the COVID-19 crisis is both an honor and a challenge. While Eagle Group companies have maintained continuous production, we have made a number of changes to our daily operations in order to maximize safety and clearly communicate new policies. Many of the lessons we've learned can be adopted by other manufacturing businesses as they prepare to reopen.

Read More

Tags: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Essential Business

The Eagle Group's Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2020 Mar 24

Eagle Alloy, Eagle Precision and Eagle CNC plan to maintain full production capability, even in light of the recent decision by Michigan’s Governor to close all “nonessential” businesses.

Read More

Tags: Coronavirus

Introduction to Metalcasting

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2019 Oct 30

This introduction to metalcasting provides a brief overview and history of the casting process, as well as an outline of common casting techniques in use today. The goal of this article is to give new manufacturers a better understanding of how metalcasting works and what steps are involved in producing cast products. By the end of the article, the reader should have a clear picture of the opportunities presented by metalcasting, and a sound appreciation for its potential as a modern manufacturing method.

Read More

Tags: Metalcasting, Processes, History

Understanding Casting Defects: When Is a Casting Returnable?

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2019 Sep 24

Metalcasting is a modern manufacturing industry, and cast products are utilized in 90% of durable goods, from lamp posts to space shuttles. Still, no casting is perfect. Even with recent innovations in simulation and process technology, nearly every cast product will contain some level of defect. A clear understanding of casting defects is vital for any casting customer, as it helps guide realistic expectations when working with a casting facility.

While experienced casting facilities are skilled in finding a balance between cost and quality, purchasers should be closely involved in determining admissible levels of defects in deliverable products.

Read More

Tags: Metalcasting, Casting Defects, Defects

Casting Advocates: Get to Know SFSA

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2019 Apr 11

In our blog series, Casting Advocates, we explore the work of organizations and industry leaders who work to elevate the metalcasting profession. Here in this first installment, we focus on the Steel Founders' Society of America.

The Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA) was first organized in 1902, and initial meetings were a "luncheon club" attended by a handful of casting companies from the Midwest and the East Coast. After more than a century of evolution, SFSA is now a major force in promoting metalcasting competitiveness industry-wide. Today, SFSA works to provide members with the tools and knowledge to succeed in today's high-tech manufacturing environment.

Read More

Tags: Education, Community, Casting Advocates, Trade Associations

Coming Soon: AFS Regional Student Casting Competition

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2019 Jan 28

Forget about the Rose Bowl–this year's college competition to watch is coming up in February!

The AFS Wisconsin Regional Invitational Casting Competition will host casting teams from colleges and universities around the Midwest. Taking place during the AFS Wisconsin Regional Expo and Conference, the event invites student teams to present cast products they've created using school casting facilities. All projects in competition were completed by members of AFS student chapters.

Read More

Tags: Metalcasting, Students, Student Metalcasting Competition

Case Study: Reverse Engineering Cast Products on an Expedited Timeline

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2018 Dec 11

Cem-Tec, a manufacturer of steel light poles in business since 1974, approached Eagle Alloy, Inc. with an emergency order. Due to an unforeseen supply-chain issue, they needed to find a new foundry to manufacture one of their popular products. With orders in and customers waiting, the clock was already ticking.

The following case study illustrates the steps Eagle Alloy followed to transfer casting of the product to our facility and to ensure that Cem-Tec had high-quality products ready for their customers as soon as possible.

Read More

Tags: Eagle Alloy, Case Study, Product Design, Development, Product Development

Manufacturing Day 2018 at Eagle Alloy: Event Recap

Posted by Jeff Cook on 2018 Oct 11

Eagle Alloy was lively and bustling on Thursday, October 4th. That's no surprise: our Muskegon, MI campus is regularly buzzing through three shifts a day, five days a week. But this particular day brought in a larger crowd than usual: in celebration of Manufacturing Day 2018 we opened our campus to local schools and community representatives for a demonstration of modern metalcasting.

The goal of Manufacturing Day is to inspire the next generation of manufacturers, and we wanted to support that goal any way we could. By inviting students to witness our work firsthand, we aimed to provide an introduction to modern metalcasting and manufacturing. After nearly 40 years in business, we understand the importance of letting young people know about the exciting potential of metalcasting careers.

Read More

Tags: Metalcasting, Education, Community, Manufacturing Day, Event

Subscribe to Email Updates

Eagle Group Blog

Get to know our companies, and learn about the metalcasting/machining industry, by reading the Eagle Group Blog.

What you'll find on the Eagle Group Blog:

  • Useful resources
  • Interesting updates
  • Industry News
  • Upcoming Events

    Follow The Eagle Group