Podcast offers insight on state of manufacturing.
Press Release Summary:
During "Better Process" podcast, Mark Hoper, expositions director with FMA, and Burke Doar, VP of Sales and Marketing for TRUMPF Inc., discussed with host Ken Rayment concerns of manufacturing executives, and how companies and industry executives can benefit from FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show. Hoper and Doar also discussed why trade show, which is expected to bring estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors, is making first appearance in western U.S.
Original Press Release:
Podcast Offers Industry Experts Insight on State of Manufacturing, Preview of FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show Including METALFORM
DEARBORN, Mich., August 11, 2008 - Two industry experts provide their views on the state of U.S. manufacturing and preview North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, tube & pipe and welding trade show on the free "Better Process" podcast, a show that covers manufacturing on PodcasterNews.com. The full interview is available by visiting http://www.podcasternews.com/bpp/5176/.
Mark Hoper, expositions director with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), and Burke Doar, vice president of sales & marketing for TRUMPF Inc., discussed with host Ken Rayment the concerns of manufacturing executives, and how companies and industry executives can benefit from the upcoming FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show (including METALFORM) taking place in Las Vegas, Oct. 6-8, 2008.
Representing both the show management and exhibitor sides of the exposition, Hoper and Doar also discussed why the trade show, which is expected to bring in an estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors, is making its first appearance in the western United States.
During the interview, Hoper stated that, according to previous FABTECH show surveys, the two most important concerns for manufacturing executives are finding production efficiencies and hiring and keeping qualified labor. "Shops are having difficulty finding labor with the necessary basic education level," he said.
Hoper added, "FABTECH has become the gathering point for the forming and fabricating industry. All of the sponsors and the show itself offer numerous networking opportunities for people to discuss issues. Manufacturers can see thousands of pieces of equipment on the show floor to help them improve their production efficiencies and stay competitive in the global market."
Doar explained that as an exhibitor the show is an important forum for companies to display new technologies and equipment.
Commenting on the show's new location, Hoper said, "When we moved the show to Atlanta, seven of the top 10 states were from the Southeast. We hope by going to Las Vegas that we will attract manufacturers from Texas, Arizona, California and Washington as well as states east of the Mississippi. This show is expected to be the second largest FABTECH event ever with more than 800 exhibitors."
"The show also offers young people in America, Canada and Mexico the opportunity to see what a career in manufacturing can mean," Doar added. "People who come to FABTECH will see a life and career in manufacturing that you don't read about or see every day. A lot has changed in the last 50 years. What you see today are very sophisticated machine tools run by programmers and software engineers who produce precise parts in efficient ways."
About FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM
Cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int'l (FMA), The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM 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.
A METALFORM Pavilion will display innovations in stamping technology and was added as a result of the new strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), the producer of METALFORM shows since 1981.
For more information about the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show or to register to attend, visit www.sme.org/fabtech, www.fmafabtech.com, www.aws.org/show, or www.metalform.com. For customer service, call SME at 800.733.4763, or 313.425.3000 (outside the U.S. and Canada). Or, call FMA at 800.432.2832, or 815.399.8755 (outside the U.S. and Canada).
About "Better Process" Podcast
PodcasterNews.com (PCN) is the premier site for frequently produced, short form audio content. The "Better Process" show discusses manufacturing news with topics ranging from U.S. manufacturing, China competition, RFID, lean manufacturing and manufacturing technology.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact SME Public Relations by phone (313) 271-1500, e-mail communications@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3403
