FABTECH 2015 celebrated manufacturing strength and innovation in Chicago

FABTECH® 2015, North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment, and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing industries, welcomed more than 1,700 exhibiting companies and a total of 43,836 attendees from more than 90 countries in November to Chicago’s McCormick Place.

In the event’s largest and most successful installment yet, attendees were able to learn from and interact with manufacturing’s best by visiting more than 730,000 sq. ft. of exhibits, special events, and keynote presentations, as well as by participating in educational sessions, an industry night networking event, and welding competitions.

During the four-day event, attendees viewed live equipment demonstrations—including hundreds of new products and technologies—and had one-on-one exchanges with exhibitors and industry leaders. John Quigley from LVD Strippit said, “We have been one of the longest participants in FABTECH, and it’s always been a very important venue to show our latest technology to the marketplace. In North America, it is the most important tradeshow of the year.”

Special event presentation topics at FABTECH 2015 covered additive manufacturing/3-D printing, security risks, women in manufacturing, and the significance of teamwork within successful organizations.

Speakers and panel participants included representatives from Dell and GE Ventures, as well as NASCAR® legend and champion Rusty Wallace. Presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum also made an appearance to discuss the importance of U.S. manufacturing.

Additionally, professional welders competed throughout the week at FABTECH for the title of “Best Welder in America” and a $2,500 first-place, $1,000 second-place, and $500 third-place prize. Contestants demonstrated their skill by making a single-pass SMAW weld with E7018 on low-carbon steel and were graded on speed and quality. The winners were:

• Aaron Oetken, self-employed welder/fabricator, Mediapolis, Iowa.
• Tom Ruge, student, Gateway Technical College, Racine, Wis.
• Andrew Miller, welding engineer, Caterpillar Inc., Dunlap, Ill.

The event was co-sponsored by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association Intl. (CCAI).

For more information about FABTECH 2016, taking place Nov. 16-18, 2016, in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.fabtechexpo.com.