The nature of the business environment of large forging manufacturers and users has changed significantly in the twelve years since the first ASTM forging symposium. The largely domestic nuclear market has become a global fossil and petrochemical market. Further, the primary market is on the other side of the world from North America. To participate in this market, original equipment manufacturers are required to form joint ventures, with manufacturers in customer's countries, just to obtain market access. This has a significant effect on how their businesses operate, on the construction codes to which they design and build equipment, and on material sources and materials specifications they are required to use to be competitive. There will also be significant changes required in ASME construction codes and ASTM materials specifications, if North American manufacturers are to continue to use these and still compete effectively.