When: Friday 4/17/2026 4:15 - 5:00 PM
Duration: 45 minutes
Presenter: Bryant Esch - Waupaca Foundry
Room: Guava/Tamarind
Waupaca Foundry, as the largest producer of gray, ductile, austempered ductile, and compacted graphite iron in the world is working to set environmental benchmarks in the metalcasting industry. Waupaca Foundry’s primary sustainable goals, and the environmental activities underway to support them include efforts in the areas of energy use, air emissions, water use and foundry byproduct recycling. The presentation will review these historical activities, along with a discussion of environmental successes, community collaborations and challenges recognized for 2026 and beyond.
Bryant Esch is an environmental engineering and Environmental, Health and safety (EHS) leader with over 35 years of experience supporting environmental compliance, sustainability, and risk management initiatives within the U.S. metalcasting industry. He has led and coordinated environmental health & safety programs for a principal gray and ductile iron metalcaster, aligning regulatory compliance with operational excellence and long-term sustainability goals.
Bryant’s expertise spans EHS regulatory compliance, environmental and energy management systems (ISO 14001 & ISO 50001), sustainability program development, and project management, with a particular focus on the beneficial reuse of industrial by-products and industrial hygiene. Known for his practical, solutions-oriented approach, he brings clarity to complex regulatory environments while driving measurable environmental and business value.