Dynamic Speakers to Headline 2008 Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show in Las Vegas
Keynote Presentations by Dean Kamen and Global Expert from Caterpillar.
Dearborn, MI (Vocus) June 9, 2008 —-
Two dynamic keynote speakers -- an American inventor, entrepreneur and tireless advocate for science and technology, and a top global expert from Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment -- highlight the FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show, taking place Oct. 6-8 in Las Vegas.
Jim Waters, vice president of the Caterpillar Production System at Caterpillar, will discuss Embracing the Challenges of Manufacturing in a Global Economy on Oct. 6. Waters’ presentation will focus on how the world is getting smaller and how companies can embrace the international economy to become stronger and more successful. During this forward-looking presentation, Waters will offer reasons why we can, how we can and why we must rise up and take advantage of this competitive challenge.
On Oct. 7, inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST and president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, will deliver a high-impact presentation on Inspiring Future Generations to Lead the World in Innovation. Kamen will discuss the importance of getting America’s youth excited about careers in science, technology and engineering and cultivating an environment that encourages creativity and risk-taking. Kamen also will assert his belief that innovation is the key to keeping U. S. manufacturing competitive in a global economy.
Waters is leading an enterprise transformation of manufacturing systems at Caterpillar to help set a “gold standard” for quality, safety and speed in industry. He provides leadership to this enterprise effort by drawing on his strong systems and process skills as well as his product and manufacturing management experience gained in Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Waters joined Caterpillar in 1978 and holds a patent, which he received in 1985, for algorithms related to adaptive welding.
Kamen holds more than 440 U. S. and foreign patents for innovative devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. Notable inventions include the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics, the HomeChoice™ portable peritoneal dialysis machine, the INDEPENDENCE® IBOT® Mobility System and the Segway® Human Transporter. Kamen also founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology.
Cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the show 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. The event is expected to bring in an estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. Thousands of buyers and sellers from across the globe will gather at the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show in Las Vegas to exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new products, problem-solve, and educate the industry on the latest technologies.
The 2008 show also will include a METALFORM Pavilion that will display innovations in stamping technology. This pavilion was added as a result of the recently announced new strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). The first official METALFORM exhibition will take place at the November 2009 show in Chicago.
For more information about the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show or to register to attend, , visit www. sme. org/fabtech (http://www. sme. org/fabtech), www. fmafabtech. com or www. aws. org/show (http://www. aws. org/show). 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 AWS:
The American Welding Society is the largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied processes, including joining, brazing, soldering, cutting, and thermal spray. AWS provides a variety of industry services, including welding certifications, educational programs, scholarships and workforce development through its foundation and publications. Visit the Society’s Web site at www. aws. org.
ABOUT FMA:
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association Int’l is a non-profit educational association dedicated exclusively to metal forming and fabricating professionals. FMA brings the metal forming and fabricating community together through networking sessions, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and award programs, and provides the tools and resources needed by companies to improve operations. Visit www. fmanet. org for more information.
ABOUT SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www. sme. org) is the world’s leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives annually. The Society has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical communities and chapters worldwide.
ABOUT PMA
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America—the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1200 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Members are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Visit www. pma. org.
ABOUT NAM:
NAM is the nation’s oldest and largest broad-based industrial trade association representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Visit the NAM Web site at www. nam. org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.
EDITOR CONTACTS:
LCWA PR: Ben Arens, (800) 837-7123, barens @ lcwa. com
SME: Lori Ann Dick (313) 425-3187, communications @ sme. org
FMA: Pat Lee, (815) 227-8286, patl @ fmafabtech. com
AWS: Ross Hancock, (305) 433-9353 ext. 226, rhancock @ aws. org
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