The Pennsylvania Foundry Association (PFA) is a statewide trade association representing approximately 95% of the 150 foundries operating there. It was formed in 1975 to serve the business interests of the industry, representing its members in the areas of insurance, training, taxation, environmental, energy, safety and occupational health. The Association now addresses these and other business interests of its members.

A foundry is a facility where molten metal is poured or "founded" into a hollow mold, usually made of sand, held together with a binder material such as clay or epoxy. The metal then cools to form a useful metal casting such as a burner grate, transmission gear, boat rudder, valve or even a computer part. Castings are made of iron, steel, brass, copper, aluminum and zinc.