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Fabrication Strategy Summit


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Wednesday, May 21 - Thursday, May 22, 2025 | Chicago/Northbrook, IL

NEW from MetalForming magazine and the Precision Metalforming Association is the Fabrication Strategy Summit!

This two-day dynamic, interactive event promises to facilitate in-depth discussions through a series of targeted roundtables. Each facilitated roundtable centers on a unique, timely topic critical to the continued success of sheet metal fabricators:

  • Design for manufacture
  • Scalable process integration via software and automation
  • Smart manufacturing/Industry 4.0
  • The transition from high-volume low-mix production to low-volume (and prototype) high-mix work
  • …and more.

The format, which includes thought-leadership keynote addresses, will allow for meaningful dialogue and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing and encouraging attendees to engage with the subject matter.

Attendees will come away with practical advice they can take back to their manufacturing facilities to help improve productivity and efficiency, as they work to create finished products from sheet stock.

If you operate or plan on operating laser, plasma or waterjet cutting equipment, bending or folding machines, punching machines, welding equipment, automation equipment and more, this event is for you!

The event will take place at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook.

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John Axelberg

John Axelberg

CEO, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.

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John Axelberg

John Axelberg

CEO, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.
Kate Bachman

Kate Bachman

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Prior to joining MetalForming magazine as a contributing editor, Kate was editor...

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Kate Bachman

Kate Bachman

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Prior to joining MetalForming magazine as a contributing editor, Kate was editor of Stamping Journal, responsible for the overall editorial content and quality of the publication, devoted to the metal stamping manufacturing industry. She also wrote stamping-industry blogs and e-newsletter commentaries.
Berardino Baratta

Berardino Baratta

CEO, Mxd (Manufacturing X Digital)

Berardino Baratta is an accomplished leader in technology and advancing manufact...

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Berardino Baratta

Berardino Baratta

CEO, Mxd (Manufacturing X Digital)

Berardino Baratta is an accomplished leader in technology and advancing manufacturing, with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. As the CEO of MxD, the digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute, Berardino works with the U.S. Department of Defense and a nearly 300-member ecosystem to drive economic prosperity and support national security by increasing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Through MxD's diverse array of projects and partnerships, Berardino oversees critical efforts to enhance digital readiness and cybersecurity across the manufacturing sector, prepare the workforce for the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future, and ensure resilient and secure supply chains in an era of increased geopolitical disruption. Berardino's diverse experience includes recent roles as Vice President of Projects and Engineering and Sr. Director of Technology Strategy for MxD. Prior to joining MxD, Berardino was CEO of Potentia Analytics, an AI healthcare startup, and held multiple positions at Freescale, including General Manager of Freescale Semiconductor's Multimedia Applications Division. He began his career with Metrowerks Corporation, a leading provider of Software Development tools, where he led engineering through its growth from startup through acquisition by Motorola Corporation. Berardino received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) from McGill University.
Jeff Dec

Jeff Dec

President, Laystrom Manufacturing Company

Bio coming soon.

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Jeff Dec

Jeff Dec

President, Laystrom Manufacturing Company

Bio coming soon.
Ryan Hochstetler

Ryan Hochstetler

Digital Director, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.

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Ryan Hochstetler

Ryan Hochstetler

Digital Director, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.
Lou Kren

Lou Kren

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Senior Editor Louis Kren has worked as an editor in trade and technical publis...

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Lou Kren

Lou Kren

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Senior Editor Louis Kren has worked as an editor in trade and technical publishing since 1988. Before joining MetalForming in April 2000, he served as editor-in-chief of Forging magazine. During his career Lou also served as an editor with Foundry and 33 MetalProducing magazines.
Brad Kuvin

Brad Kuvin

Editorial Director, Precision Metalforming Association

Brad Kuvin began his career in 1984, accumulating nearly 40 years of experience ...

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Brad Kuvin

Brad Kuvin

Editorial Director, Precision Metalforming Association

Brad Kuvin began his career in 1984, accumulating nearly 40 years of experience in covering metal forming and fabricating technologies. Brad served as Editor of Welding Design & Fabrication and Gases & Welding Distributor magazines before joining PMA and MetalForming magazine in 2000.
Mike Lauber

Mike Lauber

Chairman & CEO, TuscoMFG

Bio coming soon.

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Mike Lauber

Mike Lauber

Chairman & CEO, TuscoMFG

Bio coming soon.
Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips

Director of Technical Training, Precision Metalforming Association

Dean Phillips joined the PMA staff as director of technical training in May 2024...

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Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips

Director of Technical Training, Precision Metalforming Association

Dean Phillips joined the PMA staff as director of technical training in May 2024. Prior to this, he was heavily involved with PMA Tennessee District, served on the PMA safety committee, and was a contributor to MetalForming magazine. Dean has been an active member of the forming and fabricating community for the past 35 years. He started his career at Niagara (later Clearing Niagara Bliss, CNB), serving as service tech, regional sales manager and fabrication product director. Later, he was the fabrication product director for Piranha / Allsteel and designed the Titan press brake with Tennsmith as its director of fabrication products. Dean also was national sales manager for SEYI Presses. Dean is an expert in IIoT and strategy for AI-based systems, as well as an expert on safety and controls, working to make manufacturers as productive and safe as possible. Dean spent 20 years with Link Systems and is designing VR/AR as president of Longevity Industries' “Reality Safe.' You can hear Dean, the host/producer of PMA's “Destiny of Manufacturing' podcast, with industry leaders and technical experts.
Jeff Puma

Jeff Puma

Content Director, National Association of Manufacturers (N...

Jeff Puma is Content Director for the Manufacturing Leadership Council. He is re...

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Jeff Puma

Jeff Puma

Content Director, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Jeff Puma is Content Director for the Manufacturing Leadership Council. He is responsible for creating programming, editing the Manufacturing Leadership Journal, analyzing survey data, and helping the manufacturing community understand digital-transformation trends. Previously, he led communications for the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, the world's largest lean-focused organization. Jeff's career also includes agency work, roles in education, and working for Siemens USA, where he led marketing communications for one of the company's business units and launched Siemens' first executive-outreach program.

Registration Info

Through April 5, 2025
PMA Member: $199
Nonmember: $349

April 6 Through May 2, 2025
PMA Member: $249
Nonmember: $399

After May 2, 2025
PMA Member: $299
Nonmember: $449

By registering for this event, you agree that your contact information could be shared with our valued event partners and sponsors.


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The registration process is completed on ebusiness.pma.org

Hilton Chicago/Northbrook

2855 North Milwaukee Ave. | Northbrook, IL 60062 | 847-480-7500



Discounted Group Rate: $129 per night plus applicable taxes and fees.

Hotel Deadline: Monday, April 28, 2025.

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Questions?

Please contact Ali Miller at amiller@pma.org or 216-901-8800 with any conference registration questions.