ROSEMENT, IL-If a trade show is any indicator for an industry, the activity at the recent Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo) should bode well for the country's manufacturing sector. Thousands of manufacturing and assembly professionals convened for the 25th anniversary of the nation's largest "all assembly" trade event. Organized by Reed Exhibitions (Norwalk, CT) and sponsored by ASSEMBLY Magazine, the show proved to be an active one, with new products and an estimated 11,000 industry professionals in attendance.

Nearly 600 companies organized booths at this year's expo, displaying a range of assembly technologies, from robotic systems to hand tools and adhesives to conveyors. Specific applications addressed by the exhibitors included those in automotive manufacture, electronics, industrial equipment, medical equipment, computers, household appliances, motors and generators, telecommunications, and aeronautics and aerospace.

"This year's Assembly Technology Expo was the best event that we have held in some time," says Reed vice president of exhibitions Kelvin Marsden-Kish.

A number of exhibitors agreed, saying they were happy with both the number of attendees and the response elicited by their products.

"Assembly Technology Expo 2004 was an excellent show for Adept," says John Dulchinos, vice president of robotics manufacturer Adept Technology (Livermore, CA). "We chose to introduce several significant products at ATExpo. Our lead count was up from 2003, the quality was better and we have already received orders as a direct result of the show."

As part of the show, the ATExpo conference offered nearly 30 in-depth sessions organized into six tracks: Adhesives, Automated Assembly, Manufacturing Management, Lean Manufacturing, Materials Joining, and Wire Processing. As in years past, the Surface Mount Technology Association held its international conference at the same time in the location. Next year's ATExpo is scheduled for Sept. 27 to 29, once again at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. For more information, visit www.atexpo.com or call 888-267-3796.