GIFA 2007 showcases the Bright World of Metals: June 12-16 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

With global casting shipments forecast to reach 90 million tons in 2008 and new developments, markets and applications emerging, GIFA 2007, the 11th International Foundry Trade Fair, is looking to the future of the global metalcasting industry with its theme, The Bright World of Metals. Held June 12-16 at the Messe-Dusseldorf fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany, the world's largest exposition for the metalcasting industry will bring together the brightest minds and ideas in the casting world.

Attended by metalcasters, equipment and service suppliers, engineers and OEMs, the last GIFA show, held in 2003, matched previous records in size. This year's show promises to reflect the continued success of the global metalcasting industry.

More than 800 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest in metalcasting technology throughout seven exhibition halls. Product categories include plant engineering, melting, molding and coremaking, sand preparation, heat treatment, gating and feeding, and pattern and die making.

In this Guide to GIFA 2007, p. 47 highlights the U.S. exhibitors at the event and provides a floor plan of GIFA's exhibition halls.

Held in conjunction with the GIFA exhibition, the World Foundrymen Organization Technical Forum will run June 12-14 in Hall 10 of the Messe-Dusseldorf fairgrounds. Cosponsored by the German Foundrymen's Association, the forum's theme is lightweight construction and component optimization through innovative production engineering. Presentations will cover all themes relating to process engineering with the latest developments from all over the world. A schedule of the Technical Forum is on p. 44.

Metec, the 7th International Metallurgy Trade Fair, and Thermprocess, the 9th International Trade Fair and Symposium for Thermo Process Technology, are held concurrently with GIFA at the Dusseldorf fairgrounds.

Also held during GIFA 2007 is Newcast, the 2nd International Castings Trade Fair, which represents the end of the value-added chain. Here, metalcasting facilities from across the globe exhibit their unique services in industries such as automotive, mechanical, aerospace, construction, electronics, medical and energy.

This year, for the first time, Messe Dusseldorf will present the International Newcast Award for innovative castings. Awards will be given in three categories for castings with the best functional integration, the best subsitution of another production process and the best metalcasting technoloy solution.

For those not attending GIFA 2007, MODERN CASTING will feature post-show coverage in the July and August issues. In those issues, the latest and greatest technological innovations showcased at the world metalcasting event will be highlighted.