For anyone who was looking to have a good time on Saturday, August 8, 2009, the AB&I foundry was the place to be.   AB&I partnered with the California Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Crucible Industrial Arts Center to hold an open house for neighbors and families called "It's Happening in Oakland!".  Although AB&I has supported the neighborhood for over 50 years in various ways, they have never invited their neighbors to visit the facility and see what actually goes on there.

AB&I produces soil pipe and fittings and although the surrounding area is older, few homes have cast iron and even fewer people even realize what soil pipe is used for.  So the question was raised, "How do we show a product that we produce in a way that everyone can relate to?"  The answer was clear - the frying pan.  The AB&I Team felt it was the obvious and best choice because it is something that is safe and used in every household.  Thus, the frying pan was chosen to commemorate the event. 

In attendance for the event were about 300 friends and neighbors.  The plant tours and the frying pans were a big hit!  The neighbors were overheard saying, "We had no idea how much went into making pipe."  The Crucible Industrial Arts Center also gave a demonstration of how to transform liquid metal into art. 

At the end of the day, neighbors could be seen leaving AB&I with a smile on their face, a frying pan in hand and a better understanding of who the Team is at AB&I and the contribution they make to their lives each and every day.