FABTECH, AWS WELDING and METALFORM partner with Association for Manufacturing Technology

The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM (www.fmafabtech.com) will partner with The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) (www.amtonline.org), combining the efforts of several trade associations to produce an annual event with appeal to the full range of metal forming and fabricating industry professionals.

AMT joins the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), the American Welding Society (AWS), and industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), to provide domestic and international support for the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM. The first official combined exhibition will take place in November 2009 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Terms of the agreement include the elimination of the fabricating and laser pavilions at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) after the 2008 event. AMT will debut a new non-traditional Machining & Processes Pavilion at IMTS 2010. In addition, the groups agreed to explore service offerings and work cooperatively on numerous international markets.

“Combining the strengths of all of the exhibitions and their sponsoring associations is a win for both exhibitors and attendees who can now focus on an event that will meet all of their needs,” AMT president John Byrd III said. “We at AMT welcome the opportunity to participate in the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM and assist our manufacturing audience in their sales and equipment purchasing endeavors.” According to Byrd, AMT will recommend that prospective exhibiting companies with forming, fabricating, laser and welding/joining technology participate in the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM event.

“AMT’s inclusion in the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM adds value to exhibitors and attendees alike, and highlights the growing success that the combined show has achieved,” Ray Shook, executive director of AWS said.

”PMA is delighted to welcome AMT as an industry partner,” Bill Gaskin, PMA president said. “AMT’s involvement helps to bring a higher level of international awareness and focus to our combined events serving the metalforming, fabricating and welding industries.”

“This is a great development for the companies in the metal fabricating industry - whether they are show attendees or exhibitors -- to have all the affiliated associations working together with common purpose,” Gerald Shankel, FMA president said.

“SME and AMT have a long history of working together on events including the IMTS conference and APEX trade shows,” Mark Tomlinson, SME executive director and general manager added. “The formal industry partnership with AMT and the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM event more closely aligns the efforts of all the major industry groups to serve this market.”

For the first time ever, the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM is heading to the western United States to the world’s number one trade show destination – Las Vegas. Taking place October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

The 2008 show also will feature a METALFORM Pavilion that will display innovations in stamping technology. This pavilion was added as a result of the April 2008 strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), the producer of METALFORM shows since 1981.