IMTS 2008 Posts Strongest Record Since 2000

The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2008 (Chicago, IL) has posted its strongest showing since the year 2000. Total registration for the six day event, which ran from Sept. 8-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, was 92,450. IMTS covered 1,233,878 square feet of exhibit space with 1,803 companies exhibiting.

"We are ecstatic that IMTS 2008 not only achieved, but exceeded expectations and objectives,? stated IMTS Vice President ? Exhibitions Peter Eelman. ?The feedback from exhibitors and the purchasing activities of attendees proves that manufacturing is not only healthy, but thriving. Manufacturers coming to the show from around the world clearly understand that investing in the latest technology is key to being competitive.?

Purchasing activity at IMTS was high and will continue for exhibiting companies for a full two-year cycle leading up to IMTS 2010. ?From large manufacturing companies to small job shops, the economic climate in manufacturing is strong and IMTS 2008 was another step up in technology and professionalism,? noted Brian Papke, President of Mazak U.S.A. ?Our booth traffic was high. Customers came with very specific objectives and were looking for solutions to make them more productive. IMTS show management?s planning and execution of the show were better than ever. The new McCormick Place West Hall was well received and the vertical marketing focus and theme days, coupled with exhibitor promotion, added up to great success.?

For almost 50 years Columbus, Indiana-based Boyer Machine & Tool has relied on IMTS to provide its best and most profitable equipment ideas. IMTS 2008 was no exception. ?We always purchase at the show and after the show,? said Boyer Machine & Tool President Bill Boyer, whose operation was highlighted as part of the IMTS 2008 marketing program. ?Based on what we saw during our visit, we will be continuing this trend. And, as we make our plans to diversify into very small parts, the micro-manufacturing innovations we saw will become part of our purchase plans.?

IMTS international exhibitor Hofler GmbH finalized the sale of an HF 8000 (8 meter) CNC gear hobber/gasher, which is the largest and only known gear cutting machine of its size ever produced. The purchasing company, Highway Machine Corporation (HMC), based in Princeton, Indiana, produces gears for the mining, steel and large gear box industries. ?HMC is an example of the many small, privately owned companies that attend IMTS and are the heart this country?s manufacturing initiatives,? said Dr. Edgar Weppelmann, Hofler Director of Sales for the America?s. ?HMC?s President Robert Smith III has the vision to identify new opportunities and expand the company?s capabilities with the newest gear equipment to become more efficient and achieve higher quality.? During IMTS, HMC also purchased a Hofler Rapid 1250 gear grinder.

Along with the healthy traffic on the show floor, other highlights for attendees and exhibitors included the introduction of software standard MTConnect, an Advanced Manufacturing Center, the new Innovation Center and the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Student Summit.

During IMTS 2008 the Emerging Technology Center was a hub of excitement featuring the official launch of MTConnect. MTConnect is designed to foster interoperability between equipment controls and devices. For the first time, advanced manufacturing has an open standard that allows communication and connectivity throughout the process chain. During IMTS machines operated by 25 exhibitors posted data to a dashboard displayed in the ETC. A collaborative exhibit presented by the University of Sheffield's internationally-acclaimed Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC), North America's premier metalworking technology magazine, Modern Machine Shop (MMS), and IMTS 2008 greeted exhibitors and visitors as they entered the new West Building at McCormick Place. Anchored by global aerospace leader, Boeing, the Advanced Manufacturing Center offered visitors a look at latest in manufacturing technology and the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner interior display, parts exhibits and process presentations by Phantom Works, which is Boeing's advanced research and development unit, as well as ten "disruptive" technologies from innovative manufacturing suppliers and researchers. The all new Innovation Center highlighted a relevant theme brought to life each day through thought-provoking presentations by industry experts in automotive, quality, aeronautics/aerospace, power generation, medical device manufacturing and job shop management.

The NIMS Student Summit exposed 7,950 students and educators to career opportunities in manufacturing through hands-on learning and networking with industry professionals. The Student Summit combined an interactive Career Development Center with a dynamic self-guided tour of the nation's greatest technology and manufacturing exhibition.

?Overall, IMTS 2008 was a very productive show for both visitors and exhibitors,? said Eelman. ?The continued increase in attendance over 2006 clearly shows visitors understand the key to the future is productivity and innovation. With the show two days shorter, it was especially exciting to surpass the registration total from 2006. Our visitors came with the goal of finding ways to improve their operations and found a tremendous variety of resources to do that.?

IMTS 2010 will run September 13 ? 18 on the six-day schedule, which was new for 2008. ?An enormous amount of strategic thinking, talent and energy went into making IMTS a major success,? said Eelman. ?The six-day show was met with resounding results and we are charting the path to even greater excellence in serving the industry for the years ahead.?

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