Latest production technology to be showcased at GIFA '99.

In an already big year for the unveiling of technology, GIFA '99 will present the world's latest and greatest in foundry equipment and supplies.

In a calendar year that features two major U.S. casting equipment shows (AFS CastExpo in March and the North American Die Casting's Assn. biennial exposition in November), the "grand-daddy of all foundry trade fairs" will be held June 915 at the fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany. Known as "GIFA '99 - the [9.sup.th] International Foundry Trade Fair," the 1999 show will mark the [9.sup.th] time in history that foundrymen have gathered in Dusseldorf to examine the world's finest technology for casting production.

Held only once every 5 years, the trade fair has gained much international momentum and prominence since its inaugural meeting in 1956. In that year, 428 exhibits stretching over 18,339 sq meters of net space attracted 25,000 visitors. In 1994, the last time it was held, GIFA's 744 exhibits (covering nearly 38,000 sq meters of exhibit space) drew 51,000 visitors from 98 nations.

GIFA exhibits focus on the following foundry areas:

* melting practices;

* mold- and coremaking;

* cleaning, finishing and post-treatment;

* research and consulting.

"GIFA '99's presentation of machine and plant solutions, wealth of information on foundry processing and manufacturing methods, display of raw and auxiliary materials for casting and its engineering showcase all document foundry technology as we near the next century," said Wolfgang Marzin, managing director, Messe Dusseldorf North America, Chicago. "All exhibiting companies have one main aim - to offer new developments to enable foundries to offer their customers cast products manufactured as quickly and flexibly as possible."

In addition to GIFA, the Dusseldorf Trade Fair Center (a conglomerate of 15 ground-level exhibition halls) will be the home to four other trade fairs that same week. These include METEC (metallurgical technology), THERMPROCESS (industrial furnaces and thermic production processes), MINETIME (mining) and, new in '99, GEOSPECTRA (geotechnology and applied earth sciences).

As of press time, more than 525 exhibitors from 32 nations had reserved nearly 39,000 sq meters of exhibition space. Germany boasts the greatest number of exhibitors, followed by Italy, the U.S., Great Britain and France.

The U.S.' 38 exhibits and 2000-plus sq meters of floor space give it the third-largest presence of all exhibiting nations at GIFA. In addition, as was done in 1989 and 1994, AFS is co-sponsoring a U.S. Pavilion. This arrangement has allowed 18 firms to join AFS in a lower-cost umbrella exhibit of American equipment and consumable suppliers.

Held in conjunction with the show is the Committee of International Foundry Technical Assn.'s 2-day Technical Foram beginning on June 10. Titled "Intelligent Pouring - Innovative Casting," this lecture event will feature the presentation of more than 50 papers. In addition, the Assn. of German Engineers is co-sponsoring a special meeting on "Cast Construction" to promote a dialog between foundrymen and designers to remedy the information shortfall on cast applications. Further, special exhibits also are planned on future markets, casting and the environment, jobs, and research findings.

In addition to a special international tabloid edition of modern casting that will be distributed at GIFA, editorial staffers also will be on hand to relay news of technology and trends unveiled at the event.

For more information on GIFA '99, contact Messe Dusselforf North America at 312/781-5180.