METALFORM

CLEVELAND, OH—April 5, 2005—Metalforming industry representatives took advantage of the opportunity to see the latest equipment and applications in the industry by attending METALFORM’05, North America’s premier metal stamping, fabricating and forming exhibition. Sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), METALFORM’05 was held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL from March 20-23. This year’s exhibition, METALFORM’s 20th show, featured demonstrations of products from 350 companies. Dirk Palten, vice president of Leifeld USA Metal Spinning in Colorado Springs, CO, explained his experience exhibiting at the show as positive and beneficial. “METALFORM’05 was a huge success for Leifeld,” he said. “We sold three metal spinning machines off the show floor and expect many more sales in the coming months as a result of the show.” Jim Landowski, general manager of Komatsu America Industries LLC in Wood Dale, IL, echoed these sentiments. “Without question, METALFORM is the only show that is targeted for the metal stamping industry,” said Landowski. “The PMA efforts to promote this show to both members and nonmembers are exemplary and the professionalism of the staff in support of the exhibitors is to be commended. Though recent show attendance is still reduced from past years, the quality of the leads has increased, giving us a good return for our show investment. For Komatsu, METALFORM is the only venue to showcase our technology to the industry.” Events held in conjunction with METALFORM’05 also met with success. The Educational Conference welcomed more than 225 attendees for 16 technical presentations. The METALFORM Supports Manufacturing Rally, featuring Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink, brought together a crowd of industry supporters to hear about the progress being made by the U.S. Commerce Department to strengthen the American manufacturing sector. Additionally, nearly 100 students and teachers attended Student Day to learn about career opportunities available in the metalforming industry. Next year, METALFORM returns to Nashville, Tennessee for the first time since 2000. The show will take place March 21-23, 2006 at the Nashville Convention Center. Regional METALFORM shows occur in even-numbered years and offer exhibitors lower-cost opportunities to reach regional markets across North America. Booth sizes are smaller than at the traditional METALFORM exhibitions (maximum booth size is 400 net square feet) and target audiences are concentrated around a regional market for metalforming machine tools and related products. For more information about Regional METALFORM Nashville, visit www.metalform.com. PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $41-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.