A look back at FABTECH 2021, a look ahead to 2022

The biggest annual metal forming and fabricating tradeshow concluded on Sept. 16, and judging by the mood on the show floor, it was a very successful expo all around. FABTECH 2021 didn’t have quite as many exhibitors as the Chicago show has had in the last several years, and it had fewer visitors than in the recent past, too, but everyone seemed to be upbeat and, as always, there was a lot to see.

Certainly some doubted that the show would take place. Despite getting a green light in mid-June from the governor of Illinois, the mayor of Chicago, and the CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (which runs the venue, McCormick Place), many exhibitors were wary, fearing that the show still might be cancelled. These fears were unfounded; a reversal on that decision was never in the cards. Too many factors were in play (and too many shipments of equipment were in transit) to pull the rug out from under everyone at the last minute. Rumors swirled, but they were nothing more than rumors.

Hopefully, holding the expo earlier in the year—mid-September rather than late October or early November—will do more to help fabricators prepare for 2022. Visiting the exhibitors and seeing the equipment several weeks earlier than normal provides more time for making a purchasing decision before the year runs out and, with a bit of luck, allows more time for other year-end activities such as strategic planning.

To that end, columnist Lisa Wertzbaugher provided her perspective on annual strategic planning in this issue, with two critical emphases for 2022. First, for companies that haven’t allowed much (or any) travel since the pandemic broke, budgeting for travel in 2022 is an important consideration. Most companies have adapted to the pandemic as well as possible without much face-to-face interaction, but ultimately, people are social critters and we want personal contact. We talk to people we like, and we buy from people we trust. Establishing and maintaining this sort of rapport happens in person. Long-distance communication by telephone or videoconference isn’t really a substitute for face-to-face interactions.

Wertzbaugher suggests putting a few things on the calendar sooner is better than later. For metal fabricators interested in the annual meeting and leadership conference of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, it runs March 1-3 in Miami. Pipe & Tube Memphis 2022, which will be combined with a WorldClass Roll Forming conference, is scheduled for April 11-13. The international tube and pipe conference, Tube, takes place in Düsseldorf May 9-13. Finally, those involved in the oil and gas industry might want to check in with the folks who publish the Preston Pipe & Tube Report. They organize an annual Oil Country Tubular Goods & Line Pipe Forecasting Summit, usually in October.

Another key point in Wertzbaugher’s column: flexibility. In 2019 we weren’t planning for a global epidemic, in 2020 we weren’t planning for the epidemic to last throughout the entire year, and in 2021 we weren’t planning for the delta variant to knock us back a few steps. We sure don’t know where 2022 is going to take us. It’s certain we’ll continue to make progress in bringing it under control, but keeping plans loose and flexible is important now more than ever.

Looking back on a challenging yet successful 2021, and a successful FABTECH, Editor Eric Lundin casts a glance at 2022. Image: Gareth Sleger