Fabricators & Manufacturers Association
General associations
About the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA)
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) is a non-profit, non-partisan association dedicated to advancing the North American metal processing, forming, and fabricating industries. Established in 1970, FMA has evolved over five decades to unite thousands of professionals, businesses, and educational institutions with a shared purpose: to shape the future of their industry. Headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, FMA serves as a central hub for innovation, education, and collaboration, fostering a robust workforce development lifecycle that supports individuals and businesses at every stage of their growth.
Comprehensive Offerings and Member Benefits
FMA provides a wide array of resources designed to empower its members, which include individuals, businesses, students, and schools. Membership tiers, such as Individual, Business, Premier, Multi-site, and School, offer access to exclusive benefits. These encompass valuable training programs, industry-exclusive networking events, market-leading publications, and significant discounts on various services. Members gain access to essential training courses, industry reports, and benchmarking surveys, providing a competitive edge in a dynamic marketplace.
Workforce Development and Education
A cornerstone of FMA's mission is workforce development. Through its foundation, SparkForce, FMA actively inspires young people to pursue careers in manufacturing. This is achieved by awarding scholarships and providing grants for summer manufacturing camps that offer hands-on learning experiences to middle and high school students. FMA also delivers diverse training formats, including in-person conferences, on-site tailored programs, FabCast webinars, and e-Fab online courses, alongside technical training certificates in specialized areas like Coil Processing and Precision Press Brake operation.
Industry Insights and Networking Opportunities
FMA keeps its community informed and connected through prominent publications such as 'The Fabricator,' an industry gold standard for news and insights, and 'Fabrinomics®,' an economic e-newsletter exclusively for members. The association organizes major industry events, including FABTECH, North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, and the FMA Annual Meeting, a leadership conference for executives. Members can also engage in specialized Technology Councils and Users' Groups, fostering peer-to-peer learning and strategic partnerships. FMA also recognizes industry excellence through awards like The Fabricator's Industry Award and the AMPD Steel Executive of the Year Award.