As Vehicle Production Sets New Highs Automotive Companies Are Investing in Assembly Automation Which Will Be Showcased at The ASSEMBLY Show

ROSEMONT, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 28, 2014) - As the automotive industry continues to rebound, and vehicle production reaches new highs, automakers are responding to the increased demand by pouring money into assembly operations. Thousands of manufacturing executives from the automotive industry will gather Oct. 28-30, 2014, in Rosemont, IL, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center to see the latest technology in assembly operations for the 2^nd annual ASSEMBLY Show, the only event in North America that focuses exclusively on assembly technology, equipment and products.

"The automotive industry is definitely growing. Many OEMs and suppliers are investing millions of dollars in assembly automation -- much of which will be seen at The ASSEMBLY Show," said John Sprovieri, editor in chief of ASSEMBLY magazine. "With 46 percent of the total workforce in the U.S. auto industry located in Illinois and the five surrounding states, the Rosemont Convention Center is the ideal place for auto industry executives to see the newest products and technologies as they build new assembly plants."

According to market research firm IHS, vehicle production in North America set a 13-year high in 2013. North American automakers produced over 16 million cars and trucks in 2013, up 4.5 percent from 2012 and nearly double 2009, when the market was deep in the recession. The U.S. market is expected to rise by at least another 4 percent in 2014 and to peak at nearly 17 million units in 2017 before leveling off. Worldwide, automotive OEMs are expected to sell 85 million vehicles in 2014, up from an estimated 82 million in 2013. By 2018, sales are forecast to break 100 million units.

Automakers are responding to the increased demand by pouring money into assembly operations. In December, GM announced plans to invest $1.3 billion in five manufacturing sites in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. This investment will be used to produce new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, enhance vehicle quality and streamline logistics. The company expects this latest investment to create or retain about 1,000 jobs. Not to be outdone, Ford plans to launch 23 new vehicles globally next year. It also expects to open three new assembly plants and increase its U.S. workforce by more than 5,000 people.

The ASSEMLY Show exhibitors, including Gold Sponsor Ingersoll Rand, will offer the latest advances in robotics, screwdriving, adhesives, dispensing, plastics assembly, presses, conveyors, fasteners, workstations, welding, vision systems and more. The three-day event is free to attend and offers an expansive exhibit hall with interactive exhibitor booths showcasing new technologies; showcase theater presentations by subject matter experts; and networking opportunities with peers and solution providers at the Taste of Rosemont Welcome Reception. To register for The ASSEMBLY Show, visit www.theassemblyshow.com.

The ASSEMBLY Show is sponsored by ASSEMBLY (www.assemblymag.com), a monthly trade magazine read by 56,000 engineers and managers responsible for manufacturing and designing cars, computers, catheters, coffee makers, etc.