Sponsors of the upcoming Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show (including Metalform) in Chicago were polled about their plans for future business growth in light of the recession.  The results were surprising — in a very good way.

Poll: Manufacturers detail recession survival strategies, report better conditions

Opportunities for manufacturers abound as economy improves suggests a poll by sponsors of the Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show, including Metalform, in Chicago. Sponsors are American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).

– Manufacturing Business Technology, 9/8/2009 8:02:43 PM MDT

To survive what many view as the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, 69 percent of manufacturers indicated they reduced their workforce, followed by delaying capital expenditures (66 percent), negotiating with suppliers for better deals (48 percent) and cutting promotional activities (37 percent.) The survey asked 1,046 past or prospective registrants of Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show, including Metalform. The poll was conducted in late July.

However, with signs that the economy is currently improving, those surveyed plan to reverse downsizing — nearly one-third of those surveyed said they expect to add to their workforce in the next 12 months. Manufacturers reported an increase in demand in product as the leading factor that would prompt an increase to the workforce (78 percent) followed by the opportunity to upgrade workforce (7 percent) and the need for new skill sets (6 percent).

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Isn’t it time you started getting involved? That’s what these students thought!

I met them recently at one of our local AWS (American Welding Society) section meetings.  Daren Hitchman and Fred Paregoy (3rd from left in top and bottom rows) are the member recruiter and publicity chairman of their AWS student chapter, respectively.

I spent some time talking with them and I couldn’t help but take a picture of their workbooks. Unfortunatly, I did not capture the notes and diagrams on the inside; they were very detailed and technical — I was impressed with the level of training that these new students go throught to get certified.

Though they both are currently going to welding school at ECC in San Diego, they make the time to get involved in the local welding community by coming to events like this one.

Through attending meetings and events sponsored by local welding supply companies, professional organizations etc., these students are getting a better idea of the jobs that are available to them once they leave school.

Who knows? They might even meet a future boss, or learn about an opportunity to open their own shop just by hanging around and learning about the latest welding equipment!

Find a chapter of AWS near you and get involved!

With more and more companies looking into alternative energy sources, Lincoln Electric has decided to take the lead by hosting seminars on welding wind towers.

Lincoln Electric Hosts Two Successful Wind Tower Welding Seminars

Day-long seminars provided industry veterans and newcomers insight into trends and technologies

The alternative energy industry continues to focus on wind power as a viable addition to address the ever-expanding global energy demand. With this in mind, Lincoln Electric has recently hosted more than 120 industry professionals interested in learning more about wind tower fabrication for several day-long seminars.

Seminar attendees traveled from across the United States and as far away as Brazil and Portugal to Lincoln’s Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters to learn more about wind tower fabrication. Each seminar featured an industry overview, technology sessions and live welding demonstrations for companies already fabricating wind towers and those currently considering it.

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New from Miller:  Ever wonder if your welding purchase is really worth the investment?

Miller has just created a special calculator and software that allows you to determine what your shop’s profit (or lack there of) will be upon buying this product.

What Miller has to say about their new calculator/cd-rom:

* Determines unique return-on-investment (ROI) and payback numbers based on data from each individual welding shop.

* Calculates savings over conventional machines in four areas: reduced process switch-over time, increased productivity with Regulated Metal Deposition (RMD) root pass/Pro-Pulse fill and cap, stainless steel pipe welding without a backing gas, and RMD versus TIG on the root pass.

* Excellent tool for equipment justification and planning.

* CD includes PipeWorx system information, advanced welding process information and instructional weld techniques for pipe fabricators.

You’ve already heard us talk about the upcoming FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show this November, but just in case you needed a little push to attend, we’ve got some more tantalizing information for you all.

First off is the general information – FABTECH’s main website with the who, what, where, when, why, and a magical little button that you push to attend.

FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM

The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show now including METALFORM hits McCormick Place in Chicago, Nov. 15 – 18, 2009. The MEGA event anticipates hosting over 1,000 exhibitors, drawing an expected 35,000 attendees and featuring thousands of live equipment demonstrations throughout pavilions dedicated to metal forming, fabricating, tube and pipe, stamping, lasers, thermal spray and welding.

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Secondly, Miller is going to be there (booth #34701 – write it down) and they will be showing some fabulous new products, so don’t forget your cameras.

Miller to Unveil Latest Welding, Safety and Fume Extraction Products at the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show

Visit booth #34071 to see:

AlumaFeed™ Aluminum Fabrication System
FILTAIR™ MWX-D Mobile Fume Extractor
Miller’s Arc Armor™ PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator)
PipeWorx™ Welding System
Trailblazer® 302 Air Pak™

Live arc demonstrations

APPLETON, Wis., August 13, 2009—Miller Electric Mfg. Co. will present its latest arc welding, welding safety and fume extraction products as well as live arc demonstrations in booth #34071 at the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding show, November 15 to 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago. New products include the AlumaFeed™ Aluminum Fabrication System, FILTAIR™ MWX-D Mobile Fume Extractor, Miller’s Arc Armor™ PAPR, PipeWorx™ Welding System and Trailblazer® 302 Air Pak™. Additional products will be announced as show date nears.

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Lastly, this is the first year that FABTECH International and AWS are partnering with METALFORM, resulting in more exhibits, more attendees (hopefully), and by and by large, a better show.

FABTECH INTERNATIONAL & AWS WELDING SHOW ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH METALFORM

First combined trade show will take place November 15-18, 2009, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

DEARBORN, Mich. – April 2, 2008 – Four industry-leading trade show organizers have formed an alliance to better serve the needs of trade show exhibitors and manufacturers in North America from the fields of fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and cutting, metalforming, and related processes.  The show alliance between the three organizers of the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show [the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA) and the American Welding Society (AWS)] and the organizer of METALFORM [the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)] will result in a combined annual exhibition.

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At the beginning of September this year, way up north in Calgary, Alberta, hundreds of young professionals from all over the world competed in WorldSkills 2009.  Participants competed in areas ranging anywhere from bricklaying and hairdressing to robotics and floristry.

However, since this is a welding blog, you’ll probably be leaning toward the construction metal works, welding, and sheet metal technology categories.

This is what WorldSkills International has to say about it:

Power. Passion. Precision. Craftsmanship. Camaraderie. Competition!

These six words represent the thrill, excitement and spirit of WorldSkills International.

Every two years, hundreds of the best young professionals from trades, service and technical programs around the world gather to showcase their talents and abilities.  This thrilling, high-performance, four day WorldSkills Competition is the biggest event of its kind in the world.

WorldSkills International was established in 1950. Today it is made up of 51 Member countries/regions worldwide. Participants compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals – striving to excel in world-class standards in 45 skill categories, ranging from cabinetmaking to web design.

Yet WorldSkills International is more than just a head-to-head challenge between aspiring professionals. It is a unique, not-for-profit, non-political, non-denominational association whose Members are responsible for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions.

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For more information, you can go to the WorldSkills Calgary website HERE.

As only the second Canadian host of this event in its 59-year history, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is proudly hosting The 40th WorldSkills Competition from September 1 – 7, 2009. Over 900 international Competitors will compete simultaneously in 45 skill categories during four days of intense Competition on Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Hailed as the pinnacle of global skills, trades, and technology competition, this biennial event promotesWelding, construction metal works, and sheet metal technology excellence and international competency industry standardsCONTINUE READING ONLINE -

Hobart sure does love its welding students!  Check this out:

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology Announces Five Scholarship Winners

TROY, Ohio
August 25, 2009

The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy has announced five area high school students as winners of the Hobart Brothers Company Scholarship. This scholarship, which is offered in conjunction with the Troy Foundation, provides the students with $2,000 in funds that can be applied toward their tuition at HIWT during the upcoming academic year.

This year’s winners are: Brandon Livingston of New Weston; Treg  Hutchinson of Versailles; Fred Noe, Jr. of Dayton; Zachary Cox of  Troy; and Jerry Strain of Union, Ohio.

The Hobart Brothers Company Scholarship, one of several available through the Troy Foundation, was established to support area students interested in pursuing welding skills at the HIWT. Five $2,000 scholarships are awarded annually. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applying students must hold a high school diploma, submit letters of recommendation, and provide a statement of how and why they are pursuing a welding career, along with what goals they wish to achieve at the HIWT.  Priority for winners is given to children or grandchildren of employees at one of the ITW Welding Companies, such as Hobart Brothers Company, then to a graduate of one of the local high schools, including Miami, Darke, Shelby, Preble, Montgomery or Mercy County, and finally to all other scholarship applicants.

The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology is the one of the largest welding schools in the United States and is an incorporated non-profit organization. The HIWT has trained over 85,000 students from around the world since it was founded in 1930, and its purpose is to help students develop marketable welding skills through quality training at a minimum cost.  For more information about the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, visit www.welding.org or call 800-332-9448.

For product specification sheets or to learn more about Hobart Brothers, visit Hobartbrothers.com, call 1-800-424-1543, fax 1-800-541-6607, or write Hobart Brothers Company, 101 Trade Square East, Troy, OH 45373.

Hobart Brothers Company of Troy, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of welding filler metals marketed under the brand names Hobart, Tri-Mark, McKay and Corex. Hobart Brothers Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Based in Glenview, Ill., ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short lead-time industrial products and equipment.

At SEMA this year, Miller promises not only to be there with their newest products, but also to let anyone and everyone test them out right there on the floor.  This’ll be a great opportunity for welders everywhere to test out the new machines before they actually write out a check.

Miller Offers Special Discounts, Hands-on Demonstrations Of New Welding and Cutting Equipment at 2009 SEMA Show

Visitors encouraged to “get under the hood” or ask for professional demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting, protective apparel and auto-darkening welding helmets.

Highlights/Key Facts

Visit Miller booth #23813 in the Racing & Performance pavilion

Newest products available to “try before you buy”

APPLETON, Wis. Aug. 10, 2009—Miller Electric Mfg. Co. plans to offer special show discounts and hands-on demonstrations of its newest generation of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting equipment at the 2009 SEMA Show, Nov. 3 to 6 in Las Vegas. Discount details will not be released until show time. To learn more, visit Miller at booth #23813 in the Racing & Performance pavilion, located in the Central Hall of the Convention Center.

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For more information about the SEMA show, you can visit their website HERE ->.

Are you planning on attending? Tuesday, November 3 – Friday, November 6, 2009… LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA … and remember what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) presents The Incredible Power of Lean: Real Improvement in Real Life, a 2.5 hour interactive webinar, also known as  fabcast. And you don’t even need to step out of the office, as the technology utilized enables online viewing and voice interaction via telephone. The live presentation will cover such topics as:

• Practical implementation of lean manufacturing to save small to mid-sized manufacturers money.
• Basics of lean manufacturing.
• How lean manufacturing can be applied to small to midsized manufacturers.
• The financial impact of lean manufacturing.
• And more!

The registration fee is only $195 for FMA/TPA Members and $245 for the general public. Fabcasts can also be purchased in bulk for greater savings.

Click here to register for this fabcast.

The Fabtech International and AWS Welding Show is one of the largest trade shows in the welding, metal fabrication, and metal forming industries.  Held on November 15-18 in McCormick Place , North America’s premiere convention facility, the show will feature previews of cutting edge technology from 1,000 exhibiting companies, exciting new business opportunities, equipment showcases, educational programs and networking opportunities. Two free keynote presentations and expert-led sessions, covering a diverse range of hot topics, are also included.

Don’t miss it! Register online.