The technologies for the successful digitalization of industrial production are mature," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Messe AG. "What matters now is that decision-makers from industry and the energy sector recognize the direct and long-term benefits they can derive from digitalization for their company, their business models and their employees. According to the organizers, this year's Hannover Messe stands for opening up unfamiliar perspectives, demonstrating the full value creation potential of digitalization and conquering new markets with the guiding theme 'Integrated Industry - Creating Value'. This year, around 6500 exhibitors are expected to showcase more than 500 application examples for Industry 4.0, adaptive robots with sensitivity and technical solutions for the energy transition.

This year's partner country is Poland. In addition to the reindustrialization of Poland, the Polish government's main concerns are the promotion of innovative companies and the development of foreign markets. Around 150 Polish companies are expected at the trade fair, with the thematic focus on the energy and IT sectors.

Digital Factory continues to grow

The digitalization trend is particularly evident at the Digital Factory trade fair. Interest in the leading trade fair continues unabated, which is particularly reflected in the growth in exhibition space: In total, Digital Factory will occupy around 11,000^m2 of exhibition space in Halls 6, 7, 8 at Hannover Messe and, due to high demand, additional space will also be taken up in Hall 17.

Arno Reich, Head of the Digital Factory department, sees the reasons for the high level of interest in both the thematic and structural development: "Embedded in the Hannover Messe, the only event that covers the industrial value chain, the Digital Factory is the ideal platform for presenting IT solutions and processes for industry," says Reich.

One new exhibitor is Amazon Web Services (AWS). The cloud provider will be exhibiting in the outdoor area between Halls 7 and 14. The 'MES Solutions' guided tour will also be celebrating its premiere on the Thursday of the trade fair. Visitors will be taken to the Digital Factory and Industrial Automation halls, where exhibitors will showcase MES solutions for the process industry and discrete manufacturing.

Back at the party: the leading trade fair MDA

The exhibitor presentations at the leading trade fair Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA) will focus on mechatronic components or CPS modules, with which manufacturers aim to enable end-to-end networking with the control and production level.

At the Predictive Maintenance special show in Hall 19 with its adjacent forum, visitors will learn how impending failures can be detected at an early stage, processes accelerated and production downtimes avoided.

Following last year's premiere, Hannover Messe is once again organizing the 'Startup Pitch @ Young Tech Enterprises' competition in Hall 3 together with the German Startups Association. A total of 40 young companies will be competing for prize money as well as potential investors, customers, partners and media attention. Each competitor will present their concept within ten minutes. The topics range from industrial automation, drive and fluid technology, energy to compressed air and vacuum technology, industrial supply and research. An expert jury will select the winner.