The two three-day trade fairs are part of the "Smart Manufacturing" cluster and serve as an important platform for the introduction of modern manufacturing technologies to the Chinese market.

Originally, the organizers had expected over 65,000 visitors and 532 exhibitors on an exhibition area of 40,000 m². However, the coronavirus outbreaks in the cities of Dongguan and Shenzhen thwarted such a positive outcome. In the end, a total of 408 exhibitors and almost 24,000 visitors made the trade fairs a worthwhile automation event.

Hubert Duh, Chairman of Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, characterizes the development of the manufacturing industry in China as follows: "China's market for digitalized technologies, which also extends to the smart manufacturing sector, is growing rapidly. Advances in sensors, machine vision, robotics, additive manufacturing and mold making, as well as the introduction of industrial information technologies by manufacturers in the region, will open up a wealth of opportunities for solution providers in the industry."

Hubert Duh continued: "The industry is currently undergoing a series of changes due to technological innovations, national policies and initiatives to combat carbon emissions. This was evident in the new products and technologies on display at this year's show, as well as the changing sourcing requirements of visitors. Although the pandemic in the South China region limited the number of visitors this year in the run-up to the show, we are optimistic that the industry will recover and develop further thanks to new advances in manufacturing technology."

The accompanying program

In addition to traditional exhibition operations, SIAF Guangzhou and Asiamold also featured a wide-ranging side program to share market information and future industry developments, led by industry experts from renowned companies in China. The topics covered a range of the latest national strategies and initiatives to raise domestic manufacturing and technological innovation standards, including sustainable manufacturing, 5G, digital factories, digital transformation, data transactions, 3D printing technologies and tooling technology.

The SIAF 2023

SPS - Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou is jointly organized by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Co Ltd, Guangzhou Overseas Trade Fairs Ltd and Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

The next edition of SPS - Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou and Asiamold is scheduled to take place in March 2023.