999 exhibitors (2019: 1,585 exhibitors) showcased automation technology products and solutions in Nuremberg from November 8 to 10. On 112,000 m² of exhibition space, trade visitors found out about technological advances and trends in automation, discussed the right solution for their challenges and used the personal exchange to maintain old and new contacts.

A total of 43,813 interested parties (2019: 63,708 visitors) took advantage of the trade fair's restart. Martin Roschkowski, President of Mesago Messe Frankfurt, on the atmosphere in Nuremberg: "The joy of reunion was clearly noticeable on all sides, the conversations were open and cordial and the atmosphere in the exhibition halls was incomparable. You could clearly feel how the PLC community missed this lively exchange and immersion in the world of automation. We are delighted that we were able to inspire the industry again with the restart of SPS. The trade fair is the place where the foundations are laid for many future projects in automation."

Digital supplement "SPS on air"

Even before the trade fair, the digital pre-heat event gave a foretaste of this year's range of exhibitors' offerings. The SPS 2022 concept gave trade visitors the opportunity to find out about exhibiting companies and their products in advance via the "SPS on air" platform, arrange on-site appointments or enter into a digital exchange in the run-up to the trade fair. The Technology Stage powered by VMDA/ZVEI in Hall 3 was streamed live during the trade fair. The platform will be accessible until November 15, 2022.

Exhibitors about SPS 2022

Steffen Winkler, CSO of the Automation Business Unit at Bosch Rexroth AG and Chair of the SPS Exhibitor Advisory Board, confirmed: "To put it in a nutshell - it feels fantastic to be back at the trade fair. The trade visitors as well as our team, our team and the exhibitors that I have been able to speak to myself so far are incredibly enthusiastic. You can really feel the power in the halls and it's just a great feeling to be back here live and physically with the people."

Marcus Bliesze, Vice President Marketing Factory Automation at Siemens: "It's a great feeling to be back at SPS. The participants come from all over the world, some of whom we haven't seen for three years. There are numerous intensive discussions about new concepts, ideas and technologies. The focus is clearly on networking with each other in a personal exchange."

Christian Wendler, CEO at Lenze: "There's no question that as THE leading trade fair for automation, SPS has a regular place in my diary. Nowhere else do I have the opportunity to meet the large global automation family in one place and take away many important ideas. The SPS can definitely count on Lenze and me personally in the years to come."

Fausto Carboni, Managing Director of the Bonfiglioli Group, emphasized: "It feels great to finally be back at SPS! We have sorely missed this unique opportunity in recent years, as SPS is by far the most important trade fair for our automation community. SPS drives automation forward by bringing us together and facilitating important business contacts. You can think of automation as a puzzle made up of many pieces that come together at the SPS to form an overall picture - that's the spirit of the event for us."

The next SPS will take place in Nuremberg from November 14 to 16, 2023.