Keynote Speaker
A Voice for American Industry.
Kory Anderson owns foundries, builds American-made products, and trains the next generation of skilled tradespeople. When he speaks about manufacturing and the trades, it's because he's doing the work — not studying it.
Selected Speaking Engagements
FROM THE FOUNDRY FLOORTO THE NATIONAL STAGE.
Kory Anderson is a foundry owner and manufacturer who speaks from the shop floor — not from a consulting background. He owns and operates American manufacturing companies, trains the next generation of skilled tradespeople, and has spent his career building things most people said couldn't be done. He brings that firsthand experience to conferences, industry associations, and workforce conversations across the country.
Featured Presentation
American Foundry Society — Metalcasting Congress
"From Concept to Casting"
General Session Speaker
National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors — 94th General Meeting
"Steam and Spirit: Inspecting the Past to Power the Future"
Industry Presentation
American Foundry Society — Sourcing & Tooling Presentation
"Foundry sourcing, patternmaking and building stronger tooling partnerships"
Build Freedom / Make It in America Summit
"American manufacturing, entrepreneurship and building the next generation of skilled tradespeople"
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society — Industry Executive Conference
"No One Wants to Do This Work"
Selected engagements. Additional appearances available upon request.
Government Advocacy
Advocating for American Manufacturingin Washington
In November 2025, Kory and Ali traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with senators and representatives — advocating for metalcasting, American manufacturing, small businesses, and the skilled-trades workforce.
American manufacturing doesn't need someone speaking about it from the sidelines. It needs people who know the work, understand what's at stake, and are willing to show up.
Washington, D.C. · November 2025
U.S. Capitol
Senate Meeting
Congressional Office
Signature Topics
Manufacturing & Skilled-Trades Keynote Topics
The 150 Case: Building the Impossible
A 12-year Guinness World Record journey — from a garage in South Dakota to the largest steam traction engine ever built. A story about grit, faith, and refusing to quit.
Reviving American Manufacturing
Why American-made still matters, how small manufacturers are leading the charge, and what it takes to build a business on craftsmanship in a world chasing cheap.
The Skilled Trades Crisis — and the Fix
America is running out of builders. Kory makes the case for the trades as a calling, not a fallback — and shares what he's doing about it through Iron Warrior Academy.
Entrepreneurship from the Ground Up
From portable welding out of a garage at 22 to a multi-company American-made ecosystem. Real lessons on starting with nothing, betting on yourself, and building what lasts.
Steam, Heritage & American Identity
Why preserving early American industry isn't nostalgia — it's a blueprint. A talk on honoring the past while building the future, perfect for engineering and heritage audiences.
Grand Rapids, MI
Ash Grove, MO
Who Books Kory
Audience Outcomes
WHAT AUDIENCESWALK AWAY WITH
A renewed respect for the trades
A clearer picture of the people who build America — and why the skilled trades deserve the same respect as any other career path.
A framework for hard, long-term goals
Practical thinking for tackling the kind of work that takes years, not weeks — drawn from a 12-year Guinness World Record build and running a foundry.
A better approach to workforce development
How leaders can actually recruit, develop, and retain skilled people — not theory, but what works on the shop floor.
A real-world view of American manufacturing
An honest perspective on entrepreneurship, building resilient companies, and what it takes to make things in America right now.
Ideal For
For Event Planners
WHAT KORY BRINGS TO THE STAGE.
- A speaker with real operating experience—not theory
- Stories drawn from foundries, product development and a 12-year Guinness World Record build
- A credible voice on American manufacturing and the skilled-trades workforce
- Optional audience promotion through Kory's established social platforms
- Professional coordination through Kory's team from inquiry through appearance
Book Kory to Speak
Ready to Bring Kory to Your Stage?
Whether it's a national conference, a university lecture, a trade summit, or a corporate event — Kory delivers a talk your audience won't forget. Reach out to start the conversation.
For speaking inquiries, availability, and fees, please submit the form for consideration. Kory's team will be in touch if the opportunity is a good fit.
where business meets legacy
KORY + ALI ANDERSON
For select events, Kory and Ali Anderson are available together for conversations on entrepreneurship, American manufacturing, business acquisition, family, faith, workforce development and building a mission-driven portfolio of American companies.
Building a Business Together
Entrepreneurship, acquisitions, growth, and what it takes to build alongside your spouse.
Family, Faith & Leadership
Navigating marriage, young family life, leadership, and shared purpose.
Manufacturing + Workforce
A joint perspective on American manufacturing, skilled trades, culture, and the next generation.
Growth, Pressure & Legacy
What happens behind the scenes when the business grows faster than the people and systems around it.
