Despite the challenging economic situation, the automation industry will be meeting at the 33rd SPS - Smart Production Solutions in Nuremberg from November 12 to 14. Around 1200 exhibitors have already registered and will be showcasing their innovations in automation technology in a total of 16 exhibition halls and on an area of 125,000 m².

Once again this year, numerous industry giants have decided to take part in SPS - despite the electronica trade fair taking place at the same time in Munich. These include international key players such as Bosch Rexroth, Siemens, Festo, Sick, Beckhoff, Baumüller, Phoenix Contact and Pilz.

Steffen Winkler, Bosch Rexroth

© Meinrad Happacher

Steffen Winkler, CSO of the Automation business unit at Bosch Rexroth and Chairman of the SPS Exhibitor Advisory Board, explains the appeal of the trade fair: "SPS 2023 was a complete success for Bosch Rexroth with an impressive increase in visitor numbers of over 40 percent. For us and our ctrlX OS ecosystem partners, SPS is the most important trade fair in the world. We will be back again in 2024 with a wide range of innovations relating to 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, 13,851 of whom traveled from abroad - this corresponds to a share of 28%.

"Automation meets IT"

For several years now, the organizer, Mesago Messe Frankfurt, has been taking account of the entry of IT into OT (Operational Technology) with the joint stand "Automation meets IT" in Hall 6. This year, around 20 exhibitors will be providing comprehensive insights into this topic. Visitors can find out about the following topics, among others, at the joint stand:

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

Product presentations and live demonstrations

At a total of four trade fair forums in Halls 1, 3, 6 and 8, visitors from all over the world can find out about the latest trends and products, follow technical presentations and panel discussions and experience live demonstrations. The program of the Technology Stage, the forum in Hall 3, presented by the two associations VDMA and ZVEI, will also be broadcast live via the digital supplement "SPS on air" and is available in German and English. The main topics in 2024 are:

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

Concentrated start-up power in Hall 8

Young innovative companies from Germany will be showcasing their innovations in Hall 8. Interested parties can find out about new and improved products, processes and services at the "young INNOVATORS" joint stand. It is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. This hall also offers an additional "Start-up Area". Here you can discover even more innovations from newcomers in the automation industry on an international level.

More information at the Pre-Heat Event

For a first taste of this year's highlights on site, SPS will be hosting a pre-heat event on October 24, 2024 via the digital platform "SPS on air". Companies will announce their products and special highlights in 10-minute short contributions and provide deeper insights into their trade fair offerings. Access is very easy via a free trade fair login on the SPS 2024 website.