Why it Matters
Neenah Foundry Co. is entering federal lobbying for the first time in its 150-year history. The Wisconsin iron casting manufacturer hired K&L Gates as major infrastructure funding transitions loom. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires September 2026, creating urgency around successor legislation.
By the Numbers
- Lobbying spend: First-time federal lobbying registration
- Team composition: Two K&L Gates lobbyists – Nathaniel Blaine Bolin and Thomas Finch Fulton
- Firm credentials: K&L Gates represents BNSF Railway Co. ($120,000), U.S. Steel Corp. ($360,000), and PPG Industries Inc. ($30,000)
- Lobbyist experience: Bolin has 51 disclosures for Alaska Airlines; Fulton has 86 disclosures for Chelan County Public Utility District
Why Now
Multiple policy pressures are converging on iron manufacturers. The Trump administration imposed 10% worldwide steel tariffs since April 2025. Additional China tariffs of 50% on semi-finished metal products took effect August 1, 2025. New Federal Highway Administration guidance will strengthen domestic content requirements for infrastructure projects after October 1, 2025.
The Agenda
Neenah Foundry is lobbying on transportation and trade issues. The company produces manhole covers, grates, and municipal infrastructure components. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) highlighted the company’s 150 years of iron casting expertise and recent merger completion.
Competitive Landscape
K&L Gates represents several companies with overlapping interests. U.S. Steel Corp. spends $360,000 annually on lobbying. Building materials companies Forterra and Heidelberg Materials US Inc. also use the firm for infrastructure policy.
Between The Lines
The H.R.3338 MARKET CHOICE Act poses direct challenges and opportunities. The bill would tax greenhouse gas emissions from “iron and steel production.” But it would also create a “Rebuilding Infrastructure and Solutions for the Environment Trust Fund,” allocating 70% to the Highway Trust Fund through 2036. Border adjustment mechanisms would protect domestic manufacturers from unfair trade competition.
The Bottom Line
Neenah Foundry’s lobbying debut reflects infrastructure policy uncertainty as major funding mechanisms expire. The company faces regulatory pressures on manufacturing while infrastructure spending creates demand opportunities. Their K&L Gates partnership provides established relationships across transportation and manufacturing sectors.