Longtime FMA volunteer dies

Al Zelt

Longtime FMA volunteer Al Zelt, director of sales and marketing for Andritz ASKO Inc., died Sept. 15, 2021. Zelt was dedicated to advancing the industry through his volunteer work, including serving as chairman of the FMA board in 2015-2016 and as a member of the FMA Coil Processing Technology Council.

“It is with the incredible disappointment that I inform you that past FMA Chair Al Zelt passed away on Wednesday. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss. Al was devoted to his wife Pam, daughters, and grandchildren. Al was charming, kind, and deeply loyal to FMA’s board and staff. He will be missed,” said Ed Youdell, FMA's president/CEO. “We will share funeral or remembrance service details as they become available.”

Zelt was with ASKO Inc. for more than 35 years and was heavily involved with the development and implementation of the shimless slitting concept and new advances in the processing of advanced high-strength steel.

Zelt’s other career accomplishments with ASKO Inc. included receiving software copyrights for CASS, SWIM, and EDGEMASTER; and holding seven patents for the SWIM system, AccuLite Spacers, and HXT knives, among other slitting innovations.