Advancing Metal Fabrication Together
2020 marked the 50th Anniversary of FMA. Started by one man and his vision, FMA has transformed into an association dedicated to helping metal manufacturers thrive and move the industry forward.
FMA's History
1970
FMA was founded as the Fabricating Machinery Association Inc, a nonprofit and nonpartisan association, to provide information, ideas, and techniques for metal fabricators of all sizes.
1970
Milo J. Pitkin was the first president of FMA.
1970
FMA held its first board meeting.
1971
The first issue of The Fabricator was published.
1975
Eaton Leonard joined FMA as the first member.
1981
The first FABTECH International, co-sponsored by FMA and SME, took place in Cleveland.
1983
Susan M. Augustine-Bartholomew, of Strippit / Houdaille, was appointed as FMA’s first female director.
1985
FMA's name changed to the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International.
1990
FMA awarded its first scholarships.
1991
Local dignitaries, FMA directors, and FMA staff gathered for the new 40,000-square-foot FMA corporate headquarters in Rockford, Illinois.
1996
The first FMA Safety Awards were presented.
1997
The FMA Foundation was instituted.
2001
thefabricator.com went live.
2005
FMA's foundation included funding for summer manufacturing camps.
2006
The digital version of The Fabricator launched.
2007
The first issue of The Fabricator en Español was printed.
2009
The FMA foundation (FMAF) merged with Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT) to become the foundation of FMA.
2009
The first FABTECH Mexico co-located with AWS Weldmex and METALFORM Mexico in Monterrey, Mexico.
2012
FABTECH Canada debuted at the Toronto Congress Centre.
2012
FMA founded National Manufacturing Day.
2016
FMA acquired the Canadian Metalworking® and Canadian Fabricating & Welding magazines.
2016
FMA Metal Fabrication Lab opened at Harper College.
2016
FMA moved to Elgin on the I90 corridor, establishing its headquarters in the heart of the U.S. metal fabrication industry.
2018
The first issue of The Additive Report was published.
2019
To date, NBT has awarded over $1 million in manufacturing-related scholarships and granted over $1 million to summer manufacturing camps.
2020
To date, FMA has trained more than 50,000 people through industry events, training courses, and hands-on workshops.
FMA's Presidents Throughout Time
Milo J. Pitkin
Founder and President
Milo J. Pitkin founded the organization to provide metal fabricators throughout the U.S. with information, ideas, and techniques to fabricate faster, better, and at a lower cost.
John Nandzik
President and CEO
John Nandzik led the charge of establishing FMA’s official headquarters in Rockford, Illinois. During his tenure, John was also involved in forming an FMA foundation to award scholarships to students pursuing careers in manufacturing-related fields.
Jerry Shankel
President and CEO
As president, Jerry Shankel initiated a long-range (5-10 year) plan to deliver membership and education programs that addressed the needs of what industry professionals were looking for in FMA memberships.
Ed Youdell
President and CEO
Since becoming president, Ed Youdell co-founded Manufacturing Day — a national movement that annually showcases modern manufacturing to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders.
In honor of FMA's 50th anniversary, we've gifted $50,000 to our members toward training programs and conferences through 2024!
Learn More