DEARBORN, Mich., July 23, 2001 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) proudly present FABTECH International, North America's largest annual metal forming and fabricating event, marking 20 years of service to the forming and fabricating industry. The 2001 FABTECH event will be held at McCormick Place South in Chicago, Illinois, November 11-14. Celebrating invention, inspiration, and innovation in metal forming and fabricating, FABTECH is a must-see forum for the latest manufacturing resources.

Showcasing the latest offerings by the world's leading equipment manufacturers, technology experts and materials suppliers, FABTECH will once again be the place to see significant new product announcements.

"FABTECH's mission has always been to provide forming and fabricating professionals with the resources they need to make their products better and faster and get them to market quicker," said John Catalano, show manager for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). "Since 1981, it has done just that, and this year's event continues our commitment to providing the industry's most comprehensive forming and fabricating event."

FABTECH International 2001 expects to draw 32,000 forming and fabricating professionals from over 50 countries to see nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies. Technology categories include: automation/robotics; bending and folding; coil processing; contract manufacturing; controls; cutting (waterjet and plasma); finishing; hydroforming; lasers; material handling; plate and structural fabricating; punching; roll forming; safety equipment; saws; software; stamping; tooling; tube and pipe technology; and welding. Technology Areas Focus on Key Equipment and Processes Highlighting four key technology segments, the forming and fabricating, stamping, tube & pipe, and welding technology areas will provide easy access to specialized equipment and processes.

The forming and fabricating area will feature the newest innovations in plasma cutting and lasers, benders, shapers, punches and dies, press brakes and shears, roll forming, hydroforming, CNC equipment, automation, tooling, robotics and more.

The stamping area will showcase presses and compare deep draw, GAP, hydraulic and mechanical machines, as well as feeding equipment, dies, hydroforming, and a variety of controls from leading global suppliers.

The tube & pipe area will display the latest tube and pipe operations and will allow attendees to evaluate cutoffs, end forming, tube bending, tube measuring and inspection, tube mills and related equipment, and tube producers.

Visitors who come to the welding area can find solutions to maximize productivity while minimizing defects. Products that will be featured include arc, laser and plasma, resistance, robotic, torches and stud welding.

"Twenty years of continued growth and improvement have made FABTECH what it is today -- the premier event for metal forming and fabricating resources," said Mark Hoper, show manager for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA). "We're proud to present the 20th anniversary of FABTECH in Chicago, providing the best opportunities for manufacturers to find the right equipment, services and technical know-how they need."

Show hours are: Sunday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers background information, press registration forms and news releases can be accessed on the SME Home Page at www.sme.org . Information is archived from April 1996 to present. Additional information about FMA's membership, services, activities, and affiliate association, Tube and Pipe Association, International, is available online at www.fmametalfab.org . Press registration forms and news releases can be accessed on the FMA FABTECH Home Page at www.fmafabtech.com . Contact: Dave Lipnik of SME Public Relations, +1-313-271-1500, ext. 1856, lipndav@sme.org ; or Pat Lee of FMA Public Relations, +1-815-399-8700, patl@fmametalfab.org .

For further information please contact:

FMA FABTECH
General Email.
Contact: Pat Lee
Phone: +1-815-399-8700
Email.
WWW: www.fmafabtech.com

SME Public Relations
Contact: Dave Lipnik
Phone: +1-313-271-1500, ext. 1856
Email.
WWW: www.sme.org