Emerging technologies, accelerated product development and methods for implementing these new technologies on the shop floor are on the agenda for metal-forming and fabricating professionals attending Fabtech International 2004. The event, being held October 26-28 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, is co-sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International.

"We're concentrating our attention on emerging technologies demanded by manufacturers who want to remain globally competitive," says John Catalano, show manager for SME. "All three technology areas of this event-forming and fabricating, tube and pipe, and welding-offer opportunities and solutions to attending companies."

The show will feature more than 30 conference sessions, free business seminars and a keynote speech by Grant Aldonas, the undersecretary for international trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, who will speak on "Keeping American Manufacturing Competitive in a Global Economy." The event is expected to attract more than 13,000 attendees and 450 companies displaying a wide variety of equipment, including automation/robotics, bending/folding, coil processing, contract manufacturing, controls, cutting, finishing, hydroforming, lasers, material handling, punching, roll forming, safety equipment, software, stamping, tooling and welding.

For more information, contact SME at 800-733-4763 or www. sme.org/fabtech, or contact FMA at 800-432-2832 or www.fmafab tech.com.