DEARBORN, Mich. Returning to the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, FABTECH International 2000 will showcase even more of the latest metal forming and fabricating resources during its three-day run, Tuesday – Thursday, Nov. 14-16.

Already significantly larger than the 1998 even-year debut in Cleveland, North America's largest annual metal forming and fabricating exposition and conference will feature more products, services and technologies offered by the world's leading equipment manufacturers, technology experts and materials suppliers. With significant new product announcements expected, and five months to go before the show opens, FABTECH International 2000 currently has 620 exhibitors reserving more than 250,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

"The growth of FABTECH International in Cleveland is indicative of how vital forming and fabricating technologies are to the area's manufacturing production," said John Catalano, group show manager for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). "This year's event won't just be bigger than in 1998, it will provide more opportunities for manufacturers to find the right equipment, services and technical knowledge they need."

Three Pavilions Highlight Key Technologies

Highlighting three key technology segments, the Tube & Pipe, Presstech and Welding Pavilions provide easy access to specialized equipment and processes.

The Tube & Pipe Pavilion will display the latest technologies for improving tube and pipe operations, allowing visitors to evaluate cutoffs, end forming, tube bending, tube measuring and inspection, tube mills and related equipment, and tube producers.

Stamping presses will be in action in the Presstech Pavilion. Users can compare deep draw, GAP, hydraulic and mechanical presses, as well as feeding equipment, dies, hydroforming machines, and a variety of controls from leading U.S., European and Asian manufacturers.

At the Welding Pavilion, attendees will find solutions to minimize defects and maximize productivity. Featured products include arc, laser and plasma, resistance, robotic, torches and stud welding.

"There's no doubt that this year's FABTECH event in Cleveland is the place to be for metal forming and fabricating resources," said Mark Hoper, CEM, director of expositions for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA). "With significantly more products on the show floor and even more expert knowledge available, FABTECH International 2000 is where the action is for company decision makers."

FABTECH International 2000 expects to draw 18,000 forming and fabricating professionals from over 50 countries to see over 700 exhibiting companies. Technology categories include: bending and folding; coil processing; controls and computer systems; cutting; finishing; lasers; material handling; plate and structural fabricating; pressworking and stamping; punching; robotics; roll forming; safety equipment; tube and pipe producing and fabricating; and welding. FABTECH is endorsed by the Association for Forming and Fabricating Technologies of SME.

Show hours are: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Thursday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free shuttles will run from all official FABTECH hotels to the I-X Center. For more information, contact SME Customer Service by phone at +1-313-271-1500, ext. 1600; by fax at +1-313-271-2861; or log onto www.sme.org/fabtech. Or, contact FMA by phone at +1-815-399-8775; or log onto www.fmafabtech.com.

A World-Class Conference Provides the Latest Technical Knowledge

Held concurrently with the exposition, the world-class FABTECH International Conference will feature 30 sessions that explore the latest production processes and business improvement strategies. In addition, free Product Technology Forums comprised of panels of leading equipment manufacturers will explore industry innovations and trends in tube bending, stamping, comparative cutting and press brakes.

Keynote Breakfast Provides Insight into Successful Business Practices

Allowing manufacturing professionals to hear about the business practices successfully employed by a major automotive supplier, on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 15, the Keynote Breakfast presentation will be made by Mike Greene, president, Structural Products Group, Dana Corporation. Mr. Greene will present Changes, Trends, and Challenges: How Customer and Consumer Demands Expedite Development of New Technologies and Material Applications.

FABTECH International brings buyers and sellers of metal forming and fabricating technologies together in an environment that facilitates and accelerates their interaction and professional development. Cosponsored by industry-leading associations -- SME and FMA -- FABTECH International is North America's largest annual metal forming and fabricating exposition and conference. Consistently delivering an audience of decision-making end-users, it is the only metalworking exposition that validates attendance through a third-party audit. For more than 20 years, FABTECH International has provided manufacturers with the best blend of metal forming and fabricating, pressworking, welding and tube & pipe equipment and technical knowledge. FABTECH International ranked as the 43rd largest exposition on the Tradeshow Week 200 list for 1999.

SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., is the world's leading professional society serving the manufacturing industries. Through its publications, expositions, professional development resources and member programs, SME influences more than 500,000 manufacturing executives, managers and engineers. Founded in 1932, SME has some 60,000 members in 70 countries and supports a network of hundreds of chapters worldwide.

FMA, headquartered in Rockford, Ill., USA, is a non-profit educational association dedicated exclusively to metal forming and fabricating professionals. Founded in 1970, it is considered the world's largest educational association for its industry, with thousands of members worldwide. FMA provides in-depth technical information and educational opportunities through conferences, award-winning magazines, extensive research services, and cosponsorship of the FABTECH International exposition series.

For further information please contact:

SME Customer Service
Phone: +1-313-271-1500, ext. 1600
Fax: +1-313-271-2861
WWW: www.sme.org/fabtech

FMA
Phone: +1-815-399-8775
WWW: www.fmafabtech.com
Email.