At the end of 2025, SPS - Smart Production Solutions once again focused on the automation industry. 55,938 visitors, nine percent more than the previous year, gathered information from 1,175 exhibitors on 122,000 square meters of exhibition space in Nuremberg. The focus was on topics such as industrial AI, networked production systems and flexible manufacturing.

According to the organizer, Mesago Messe Frankfurt, 93% of exhibitors rated the trade fair as important or very important for their company, with 88% saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with their participation. Steffen Winkler, CSO Business Unit Automation at Bosch Rexroth, says: "SPS is the most important live marketplace for automation - unique in the world. This is where decision-makers and innovators meet to see where technology is heading in the coming years."

The international share of exhibitors rose to 44% after 40% in the previous year. After Germany, China, Italy and Switzerland represented the most companies. Austria, Taiwan and the USA followed in joint fourth place, followed by the Netherlands. The international share of visitors remained constant at 29%, but grew in absolute terms. Most foreign visitors came from Austria, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

The visitor survey also showed high approval ratings: 93% would visit the trade fair again, 94% would recommend it to others. 90% consider the SPS to be important or very important, 98% were satisfied or very satisfied with their visit. Bernd Vermeer from Engie Germany describes the trade fair as a place "where I can meet our suppliers and exchange ideas with them very well in technical discussions."

The lecture program was also very popular. 5,708 participants followed 182 presentations on four stages. The 23 sessions on Industrial AI, which dealt with applications and trends in industrial automation, were particularly popular.

Further voices on the trade fair

Frank Schuhmacher, Managing Director of Industrieanlagenbau Stolpp GmbH, says: "SPS is a trade fair where you can get information and make new contacts, but also discuss ideas with existing business contacts. Always super interesting every time!"

Eric Halvorson, Senior Marketing Technology Manager at DigiKey, explains: "SPS is the leading meeting place for industrial automation and brings together manufacturers, innovators and employees in the heart of Germany. Even in challenging times, it generates new ideas, partnerships and opportunities for growth and innovation."

Katharina Lange, Head of Marketing at ROSE Systemtechnik, adds: "SPS is not only the annual highlight of the industry, it is also the most important and pioneering trade fair for us for the following year."

Dr. Nawid Zarrabi from ATINA Ingenieurbüro explains: "For me, the trade fair is the fixed date in the year to get an update on the relevant industry topics."