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Our History

Advancing the Metal Fabricating Industry Since 1981

FABTECH is the premier event for the metal fabricating industry. Since its debut in 1981, FABTECH has grown from a regional trade show into North America’s largest and most authoritative event for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing. Only at FABTECH can you see world-class exhibits showcasing high-tech metalworking machinery, network with industry professionals and learn the latest techniques and trends from expert-led education sessions.

FABTECH’s origin and continued strength are formed by the partnership of leading industry associations. Event Partners include the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International, Elgin, IL, SME, Southfield, MI, the American Welding Society, Miami, FL, The Precision Metalforming Association, Independence, OH and the Chemical Coaters Association, International, Taylor Mill, KY. Together, FMA, SME, AWS, PMA and CCAI wield technical expertise and industry insight unmatched among associations in the manufacturing sector. FABTECH’s mission is to bring buyers and sellers together in a convenient venue to conduct business, make connections, share ideas, and learn from one another. The event features technology-focused pavilions, interactive exhibit displays and special events and attractions. FABTECH also offers a unique and highly immersive education experience.

Today, while the audiences have significantly grown, and the technologies displayed on the show floor have evolved, FABTECH continues to be at the forefront of serving the metal fabricating industry. FABTECH exhibitors are leading original equipment manufacturers and importers of key manufacturing technologies including metal forming, fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and finishing processes.Annually, FABTECH exhibitors introduce hundreds of new products on the exposition floor. Among the products and technologies being displayed are: additive manufacturing, arc welding, assembly, automation, bending & forming, brazing & soldering, business services, coil processing, cutting, fastening & joining, finishing/paint & powder coating, finishing/plating, gases & gas equipment, hydroforming, inspection & testing, job shop/contract mfg., lasers, lubrication, maintenance & repair, material handling, metal suppliers, plate & structural fabricating, press brakes, punching, resistance welding, robotics, roll forming, safety & environmental, saws, software, machine controls, stamping, thermal spraying, tool & die, tooling, tube & pipe fabricating or welding and tube & pipe producing, waterjet, welding consumables, and welding machines.

The FABTECH series of events welcomes more than 65,000 total visitors from over 90 countries every year and serves the smallest job to the largest Fortune 500 manufacturer. High-level company executives, manufacturing and engineering professionals and business owners from major industries, including aerospace, agriculture, appliance, automotive OEMs and their suppliers, construction, heavy equipment, military and defense, mining and utilities, recreational equipment, and non-automotive transportation, attend FABTECH to discover new technologies and source products to improve their business. Technical education sessions, dynamic keynotes, expert panel discussions and other special events keep show visitors returning to FABTECH every year.

FABTECH is held annually in the United States, rotating between Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando. FABTECH Mexico also occurs annually rotating between Mexico City and Monterrey and FABTECH Canada occurs biennially in Toronto.

FABTECH Milestones

  • 1981 Debuts in Cleveland with 161 exhibitors

  • 1983 FABTECH moves to Chicago

  • 1987 FABTECH gains Tradeshow 200 status

  • 1989 Tube & Pipe pavilion introduced

  • 1991 Ten successful years of serving the fabricating industry

  • 1997 FABTECH moves to McCormick Place. Welding Pavilion introduced

  • 1998 First even year and annual FABTECH is held in Cleveland

  • 2005 AWS Welding Show joins FABTECH and AWS becomes a co-sponsor

  • 2006 FABTECH held in Atlanta, Georgia for the first time

  • 2007 Attendance tops 30,000 for the first time. Honored as one of the Fastest 50 by Tradeshow Week

  • 2008 METALFORM joins FABTECH and PMA becomes an event partner. FABTECH held in Las
    Vegas, Nevada for the first time

  • 2009 First FABTECH Mexico co-locates with AWS Weldmex and METALFORM Mexico in Monterrey, Mexico

  • 2010 Finishing Pavilion added and CCAI becomes an event partner.

  • 2012 FABTECH Canada debuts at the Toronto Congress Centre

  • 2015 FABTECH tops 40,000 in attendance and 732,000 square feet

  • 2017 3D/Additive Manufacturing pavilion introduced

  • 2019 Robotics & Industrial Automation pavilion introduced. Ranks in the top 10 on the 2019 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows list

  • 2023 Honored on Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 list

  • 2024 FABTECH held in Orlando, Florida for the first time

Past Events

View highlights, post-show-reports, exhibitor lists from the history of FABTECH

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