Numerous major players in the industry have chosen to participate in this year's SPS, even with the electronica trade fair happening simultaneously in Munich. Key international players include Bosch Rexroth, Siemens, Festo, Sick, Beckhoff, Baumüller, Phoenix Contact, and Pilz.

Steffen Winkler, CSO of the Automation business unit at Bosch Rexroth and chairman of the SPS Exhibitor Advisory Board, explains the event's appeal: »SPS 2023 was a great success for Bosch Rexroth with an impressive visitor growth of over 40 percent. For us and our ctrlX OS ecosystem partners, SPS is the most important trade fair globally. In 2024, we’ll again be presenting a variety of new products around ctrlX Automation, ctrlX OS, and ctrlX World. We look forward to presenting the latest innovations and developments of our platform and shaping the future of automation technology together with our partners.«

SPS 2023 attracted a total of 50,081 visitors, with 13,851 traveling from abroad, making up 28% of attendees.

»Automation Meets IT«

For several years, event organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt has acknowledged the entry of IT into OT (Operational Technology) with the joint stand »Automation Meets IT« in Hall 6. This year, around 20 exhibitors will provide in-depth insights into this field. Visitors can explore topics such as:

• IT management for manufacturing
• Cloud- and edge-based solutions and services
• Security measures for production
• IoT- and AI-based solutions
• Open-source technology

Product Presentations and Live Demonstrations

Across four trade fair forums in halls 1, 3, 6, and 8, visitors from around the world can learn about the latest trends and products, attend expert talks and panel discussions, and experience live demonstrations. The Technology Stage program in Hall 3, hosted by the VDMA and ZVEI associations, will also be broadcast live via the digital platform »SPS on Air,« available in German and English. Key topics for 2024 include:

• Digital transformation
• Industrial communication
• Safety & security
• Data spaces
• Data-driven and intelligent control and visualization concepts
• Sensor innovations
• Drives
• Sustainability
• AI in automation

Concentrated Start-up Power in Hall 8

In Hall 8, young innovative companies from Germany will showcase their latest products. At the joint stand »young INNOVATORS,« visitors can discover new and improved products, processes, and services. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is supporting this initiative. Additionally, this hall will feature an extra »Start-up Area« with more innovations from newcomers in the automation industry on an international scale.