FabTech remains North America’s leading event for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing. This year’s show was bigger than ever, with over 1,700 exhibitors and a record-breaking 50,000 attendees exploring the latest innovations in manufacturing technology. From AI-driven automation to high-precision lasers and collaborative robots (cobots), the buzz was all about solving workforce and productivity challenges with smarter tools.
At Orka Automation, we attended with a clear focus: understanding how these trends impact our customers and how we can help them stay ahead. Here’s what stood out to us:
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR TODAY'S MANUFACTURERS
- The Labor Shortage Is No Longer a Future Problem—It’s Here
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 400,000 manufacturing jobs remain unfilled, and the gap is widening as seasoned workers retire faster than new talent enters the field.
- FabTech speakers emphasized the need to:
- Embrace automation and user-friendly software
- Partner with local colleges and technical programs
- Create pathways to attract and retain the next generation of skilled workers
- Sustainable Manufacturing Is Now a Competitive Advantage
- OEMs are demanding proof of sustainable practices, not just promises.
- FabTech showcased actionable strategies for automators, including:
- Reducing energy and water usage
- Switching to renewable energy and sustainable materials
- Applying lean principles and smart tech to optimize processes
- Minimizing waste through recycling and circular economy models
- Using real-time data to manage maintenance and reduce downtime
- Small and Midsize Shops Have Unique Strengths
- The new Job Shop Pavilion highlighted tools and strategies tailored for smaller fabrication shops.
- At Orka, we’ve seen firsthand how our size gives us an edge:
- Agility: We pivot quickly to meet changing customer needs and market demands
- Customization: We deliver tailored solutions that larger manufacturers often can’t match
- Reshoring Is Accelerating—and We’re Ready
- The Reshoring Initiative reports that 59% of contract manufacturers are reshoring or quoting reshoring projects.
- Orka Automation is equipped to support these efforts with:
- Operator-assist and fully automated workstations and cells
- Scalable build space and capacity
- Seamless integration with leading automation technology partners—no compromises required
ADDITIONAL FABTECH COVERAGE
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