Fabtech 2025: Industry Wide Innovation All Under 1 Roof

A Show of Scale & Momentum

This year’s show came in with staggering numbers. More than 1,700 exhibitors filled 885,000 square feet of exhibit space,  the largest footprint in Fabtech’s history.  Some 42,000 attendees from across North America and beyond streamed through the halls, drawn by the promise of seeing the next generation of metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing technology.  Roughly 300 first-time exhibitors and 800+ new product launches added fresh energy to the event. 

What Stood Out: Trends & Highlights

1. Automation, Connectivity & Smart Manufacturing

If there was one word echoing across the show floor, it was “connected.” Many exhibits featured industrial automation with integrated sensors, IoT data streams, and AI-driven analytics.  Solutions that replaced manual setup with push-button changeovers, or that stitched CAD/CAM directly into machine operation, were everywhere. 

2. Sustainability & Efficiency

With raw material costs, energy prices, and regulatory pressure all rising, many vendors leaned into green solutions. Expect to see more tooling, lasers, and finishing systems designed for lower energy draw, waste reduction, and materials reuse. 

3. Real-World, Implementable Technology

Unlike some shows where many concept machines never see real adoption, a defining characteristic here was practicality. The emphasis was on systems ready to be deployed. This included machines with modular designs, embedded diagnostics, quick tool changes, and scalability. 

What It All Teaches Us

Fabtech 2025 made two things abundantly clear:

• Adoption, not aspiration, is where the battle will be won. It’s not enough to dream of smart factories, companies must execute, integrate, and support systems long term.

• Human capital still matters. Tools matter, but people build, program, maintain, and optimize them. Workforce development, training, and diversity will be as critical as any machine.

As attendees filed out of McCormick Place, many returned home with new ideas, new leads, and a reinforced sense of urgency: the era of incremental innovation is fading. The next leap forward in metalworking will come from bold, connected, sustainable systems, and the companies that execute will lead.

CK Supply’s Takeaway

CK Supply proudly attended Fabtech 2025, immersing ourselves in the industry’s largest showcase of fabrication technology and innovation. As a trusted partner in welding and cutting solutions, our team was on the ground capturing exclusive footage and insights from some of the most influential brands in the industry.

We connected with our friends from Lincoln Electric, Koike, Vectis Automation, Denali Welding, Hypertherm, and Miller Electric and created individual videos highlighting their latest advancements and sharing them directly to our customers and community. We showcased real-world technologies designed to improve efficiency, precision, and shop-floor productivity.

These videos are part of our commitment to keeping fabricators informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you missed the show or want to dive deeper into specific solutions, our content offers a front-row seat to Fabtech’s best innovations.

Follow CK Supply on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook to catch all our Fabtech 2025 video highlights. Innovation is moving fast, and we’re making sure you stay connected.