SPS Smart Production Solutions 2024 has come to a close. The 33rd edition of the intelligent and digital automation trade fair once again impressed all attendees with the latest automation products and services for industrial production. From informative conversations with exhibitors, panel discussions, product presentations to special shows, visitors from all over the world had the opportunity to explore the latest industry trends and set their course for the 2025 financial year.
SPS 2024 presented visitors with a wide range of innovative products in 16 exhibition halls with a total area of 125,000 square meters. With 1,114 exhibitors and around 51,300 visitors, this year’s fair was once again a great success. “In light of the current challenging situation for the industry, the increase in visitor numbers year-on-year is certainly a strong and important signal for the automation industry,” summarises Martin Roszkowski, Managing Director of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.
Indeed, there was a lot of activity on the fair grounds, where visitors intensively discussed new products, market launches and provided insights into the future of industrial automation and digitalization.
Steffen Winkler, CSO Automation at Bosch Rexroth AG and Chairman of the SPS Exhibitor Advisory Board, comments: “Here, visitors can meet the latest technologies and industry experts, make valuable contacts and expand existing relationships. Even in economically challenging times, SPS remains an important platform for innovation and discussion. “Together we are shaping the future.”
During the three-day event, visitors could also enjoy a series of expert lectures on topics such as AI in automation and digital transformation. “For us, the trend of artificial intelligence in PLCs was a real hit. We are convinced that this technology will significantly increase productivity in the coming years and decades,” says Axel Zein, Managing Director of WSCAD GmbH. Four forums allowed participants to delve deeper into the subject and exchange views directly with experts. After the event, selected expert talks and panel discussions were available on demand on the online platform “SPS On Air”.
Large crowds at the community stand
The long-standing joint booth “Automation meets IT” in Hall 6 was once again well-attended by many visitors. At the booths, 17 exhibitors offered insights into IT management solutions and security measures for manufacturing, cloud and edge-based solutions, as well as IoT and AI-based solutions. In Hall 8, the “Young INNOVATORS” joint stand and the startup area offered new and unique insights into the latest products, processes and services in smart and digital automation. In the forum right next door, visitors also had the opportunity to hear from newcomers.
Promoting young talent
The Makeathon, which took place throughout the fair, and the Young Talents Day on the last day were both very popular. “The exhibitors were very interested and the places filled up quickly.” “At a time when there is a shortage of skilled workers and young talent, this confirms that we are on the right path,” sums up Silke Schultz-Metzner, Vice President of SPS. At the Makeathon, engineering students were able to apply their knowledge and unleash their creativity in real-life projects. Guided tours on the last day of the fair allowed the young talents to visit six exhibitors each and gain valuable insights directly from experts into the latest trends and technologies, as well as the opportunity to network with industry professionals. In addition, two job boards in halls 8 and 10 provided access to the online career platform SPS CareerDrive, where current job vacancies in the automation sector were displayed not only to young talents, but to anyone interested.
Outlook
A detailed fair analysis with further results from SPS 2024 will be available in early 2025. Next year’s fair will take place in Nuremberg from 25 to 27 November 2025 and, as usual, will take place in the last week of November.
SPS fosters dialogue with the automation community throughout the year, facilitating networking and keeping you informed of the latest trends with a wide range of offers. The SPS Automation Hub brings together technology enthusiasts to drive the future with smart digital solutions. SPS offers digital events such as monthly Technology Talks and SPS Insights with the latest industry news, focusing on automation and its application areas. The Industrial Technology Summit will take place for the first time in Stuttgart on 22 May 2025 and will provide industry experts and decision makers with another platform to personally exchange information on technological advances and real-world applications in automation. In addition to the discussion agenda, the summit’s focus is on networking between participants and the joint development of new ideas and projects. Further information about SPS, the SPS Automation Hub and the various formats offered throughout the year can be found at sps-messe.de.
Further statements on SPS 2024
Gunther Koschnick, Managing Director Industry and Automation at ZVEI e.V.:
“The fair is unique, and for good reason. Whether you’re a designer, mechanical engineer, system operator or production manager, you’ll find comprehensive information here. No other fair has such a strong focus on the topic of automation.”
Andreas Baumüller, Managing Director of the Baumüller Group:
“As its name suggests, SPS – Smart Production Solutions is a forum for facilitating the exchange of products, solutions and applications and stimulating the development of future-oriented solutions. As a leading trade fair, it also offers companies the opportunity to establish themselves globally. ”
Stephen Hoppe, President and Executive Director of the OPC Foundation, said:
“SPS brings together experts who listen to each other. It is a meeting point for engineers and developers. At no other fair do you meet so many technical decision makers from other companies. That is what makes PLC truly unique.”
SPS will take place from 25 to 27 November 2025.