FABTECH show preview

Registration is now open for FABTECH 2025, North America’s largest event for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing. It returns to McCormick Place in Chicago, USA, from 8-11 September 2025. The event partners are the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA); the SME; the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA); the American Welding Society (AWS) and the Chemical Coaters Association International.

“This year marks FABTECH’s largest show floor ever, spanning a record-breaking 850,000+ square feet with 1,500+ exhibitors across 40 technology categories. The event is expected to draw 45,000 industry professionals,” SME told ISMR.

FABTECH is a key marketplace for sourcing solutions, networking and gaining insights into the future of manufacturing. With live equipment demonstrations, new technology debuts and expert-led education sessions, it aims to provide attendees with the resources to improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and stay ahead of industry shifts.

The event also features a keynote lineup, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, performance coach Alan Stein Jr. and NASCAR industry innovator Andy Papathanassiou, who will share strategies on leadership, adaptability and teamwork.

Manufacturing marketplace

“FABTECH is where the manufacturing industry’s top minds, technologies and solutions come together in one place,” said Tracy Garcia, CEM, FABTECH Group Director, SME.  “Chicago has long been a major hub for manufacturing, home to a strong industrial base and a skilled workforce that drives innovation across sectors. Its central location and deep-rooted manufacturing history make it an ideal setting for an event of this scale, bringing together professionals from across the country to explore new technologies, forge connections and address industry challenges. This year, we’re delivering more than just scale—we’re ensuring attendees walk away with meaningful insights, supplier connections and practical strategies to enhance their operations.”

FABTECH has officially renamed its METALFORM Pavilion to the ‘Stamping, Tool & Die, and Press Automation Pavilion’ to better reflect the diverse range of products and services featured and on display at the event. With this name change, the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), which manages the pavilion, aims to provide clarity to PMA’s role within FABTECH as well as the key technologies featured in the pavilion.

A packed programme

In addition to keynotes and panels, FABTECH 2025 will offer more than 180 expert-led conference sessions across 12 educational tracks, covering critical topics such as advanced manufacturing technology, workforce development and trends in job shop production and operations. FABTECH 2025 will highlight advancements in automation, precision engineering and materials innovation that support high-performance applications across the manufacturing sector.

To read the rest of this article in the June 2025 issue of ISMR, see https://joom.ag/Rqsd/p30