‘The SPS trade fair is worth visiting more than ever’

Despite the difficult economic situation, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH expects more exhibitors than last year at the SPS – Smart Production Solutions 2025 trade fair. The topic of industrial AI will be of great importance. Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS at Mesago, explains the background.

Markt&Technik: How many exhibitors and visitors do you expect at SPS 2025? How do you think the economic situation in the industry and global economic and political conflicts will affect the number of exhibitors and visitors?

Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH: The current economic and geopolitical situation is having a profound impact on German industry. The fact that SPS – Smart Production Solutions 2025 will be able to increase the number of exhibitors to around 1,170 despite this situation shows how important the trade fair is for automation providers.

In order for the industry to counter economic pressure from high energy and production costs, for example, it is essential to invest in key technologies such as automation technology. A visit to SPS 2025 is therefore more worthwhile than ever this year. Or, as was aptly put at the press conference for SPS 2025: Not visiting is not an option.

What changes will there be at SPS 2025 compared to last year's exhibition? Will there be any changes to the nomenclature or product range?

This year, SPS will remain true to its proven concept and present itself as the central platform for the international automation industry. All relevant manufacturers will be represented once again and will showcase their latest products, technologies and solutions for smart and digital automation. The 15 exhibition halls will give interested visitors a comprehensive overview of the current market. Exhibitors will not only address established topics, but also provide specific insights into the latest trends and developments, for example in the field of artificial intelligence. Visitors can therefore look forward to a wide range of innovations.

What changes will there be to the supporting program at SPS 2025 compared to last year?

As in previous years, we are once again offering a comprehensive program of lectures, panel discussions and presentations to complement the trade fair, with around 170 events. Visitors will have the opportunity to find out all the latest news from the industry on a total of four stages and then engage in personal discussions with the speakers afterwards. Especially for the young target group, there will once again be a Makeathon, which will take place on all three days of the trade fair. It is aimed specifically at students and offers exciting insights into the world of automation with concrete project tasks. As a special highlight for young talent in the industry, SPS is hosting Young Talents Day on the last day of the fair. Young visitors can look forward to program items such as guided tours, career advice and an interactive scavenger hunt through the exhibition halls – ideal for getting to know the world of automation in a vivid and practical way.

The topic of industrial AI is set to play a greater role at this year's SPS than ever before. To what extent is this reflected at the trade fair, in its lecture programme and in the online offerings ‘SPS Automation Hub’ and ‘SPS Technology Talks’?

Industrial AI is the focus of SPS 2025. Interested parties can find all the information they need on this topic on our specially created landing page. This also includes guided tours to selected exhibitors, which we are organising in cooperation with SmartFactory-KL. An integrated exhibitor search is already preset to AI, making it easier to search for specific providers.

The four stages, where numerous contributions on the topic will be presented, also play an important role in our information offering on industrial AI. Particularly noteworthy is the Technology Stage in Hall 3, where the two associations VDMA and ZVEI will be offering a concentrated block of presentations exclusively dedicated to the topic of AI on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All in all, this is a very comprehensive additional offering that provides a wealth of knowledge about the possible applications of AI.

In addition to the trade fair, we also offer various formats outside the trade fair period: AI is a regular focus of our ‘Technology Talks’ webinar series. This year also saw the premiere of the AI Summit in Stuttgart in May, which will take place again in 2026 – in two cities, no less. All offers are bundled on our website in the Automation Hub of the SPS.

From 16 to 18 September 2025, an independent SPS trade fair was held in the USA for the first time: SPS – Smart Production Solutions Atlanta. How did it measure up to expectations? What are the plans for the future of the trade fair?

The premiere of SPS Atlanta took place successfully a few weeks ago. Given the challenging overall economic situation and the special market conditions in the USA, the launch was promising with around 120 exhibitors. The next SPS Atlanta has already been scheduled and will take place from 14 to 16 September 2027.

To what extent are there concrete plans for further internationalisation of SPS beyond the three events in Parma (Italy), Guangzhou (China) and Atlanta (USA)?

Together with our exhibitors, we regularly examine where new opportunities arise to open up new markets for automation providers with an SPS format. This year, for example, we celebrated a successful premiere in Thailand with the SPS Stage in Bangkok. Further stages will follow in 2026 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Hanoi (Vietnam).

The questions were asked by Andreas Knoll.