In November, SPS - Smart Production Solutions will return to pre-corona times: After a successful year in 2019, the industry get-together for automation technology will once again take place in 16 halls. This year, those responsible at Mesago Messe Frankfurt will once again be using Halls 3C and 8. The visitor routing will not change as a result: The trade fair is divided into eight main themes - Control Technology, Electrical Drive Technology/Motion Control, Interface Technology, Human-Machine Interface, Software & IT in Manufacturing, Mechanical Infrastructure, Industrial Communication and Sensor Technology and System Solutions. This year, the focus on sensor technology was supplemented by system solutions for the first time. The background to this is that sensors today are primarily sold as part of a system. Those responsible have taken this development into account with the expansion.

Over 1,200 exhibitors expected

In 2022, 999 exhibitors presented themselves at SPS; this year, Mesago Messe Frankfurt is expecting over 1,200 exhibitors from all over the world. The registrations have not yet been completed, reports Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS at Mesago Messe Frankfurt. International companies are still approaching the trade fair organizers with requests for exhibition space. Last year, the proportion of international exhibitors was 29%, with 70% coming from other European countries, 18% from Asia and 11% from America.

In the wake of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, no exhibitors from Russia or Belarus will be taking part in SPS. Those responsible for the trade fair emphasize that companies from these two countries will be refused participation in all Mesago trade fairs worldwide until further notice.

More exhibitors and visitors from China are also expected at this year's SPS. Like Europe, the country has ended travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The international share of visitors in 2022 was 29%. It was striking that 40% more visitors from the USA took part than in 2019. The increase is probably also due to the earlier date: By bringing the SPS forward from the last week of November to mid-November, a clash with the American Thanksgiving is avoided. Over 43,000 visitors are expected.

New halls, more forums

In Hall 3C, companies will present their latest developments and solutions in the areas of mechanical infrastructure, control technology and software & IT in manufacturing. In addition to Rittal and Eplan, well-known companies such as Eaton and Rockwell will be present.

Hall 8 will focus on control technology and human-machine interfaces. The BMWK joint stand is also located there. This is a funding program of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, which enables young innovative companies based and operating in Germany to visit SPS. In addition to the joint stand, there is another start-up area in the hall.

There will be a total of three forums at this year's SPS, which will offer presentations and panel discussions on topics such as Industry 4.0, industrial communication, drive technology, sustainability through automation technology or data-driven and intelligent concepts for control and visualization. In addition to the forum traditionally organized by ZVEI and VDMA in Hall 3, there will be forums in Halls 6 and 8. There will also be a "Meet the Speaker" area in the vicinity of the forums. Here, listeners will have the opportunity to address their questions directly to the speaker afterwards.

The "Automation meets IT" joint stand has been at the industry get-together for several years now. This is in response to the growing integration of IT technologies into the OT environment. In Hall 6, around 24 exhibitors will be showcasing products, solutions and services relating to IT management in manufacturing, cloud and edge-based solutions and services, security measures in manufacturing, IoT and AI-based solutions and open source.

Accompanying online platform SPS on air

During the coronavirus pandemic, Mesago Messe Frankfurt launched the online platform SPS on air. Around 5,000 people used the platform during last year's trade fair, which is why it will be available again this year. However, the digital expansion is not intended to replace the trade fair, emphasizes Sylke Schulz-Metzner. Rather, it is intended to create added value for exhibitors and visitors. The online platform will go live in September and offers trade fair participants the opportunity to network in advance. In the period from September to November 13, the focus is clearly on making initial contacts and arranging appointments at the trade fair or on the platform.

During the three days of the trade fair, the focus is clearly on the event in Nuremberg and the lecture program. The forum presentations on the Technology Stage in Hall 3 can be followed live on site and online. For international participants, the organizers are offering simultaneous translation so that the presentations and discussions can also be followed in English. If visitors miss a presentation, they can watch it on demand the next day.

After the trade fair, missed presentations can be viewed via SPS on air and follow-up appointments can be arranged with companies. A valid trade fair ticket is required to use the online platform.

New offers planned for 2024

To enable the industry to stay in touch during the year, Mesago Messe Frankfurt will be offering webinars on various automation topics from next year. In addition, specialists can find out about vacancies in the industry via the new SPS CareerDrive job portal.