Above: Founding meeting of the SPS User and Visitor Committee (from left to right): Sylke Schulz-Metzner (SPS/Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH), Rötger Sander (BIESSE DEUTSCHLAND GmbH), Luigi Coppola (Ferrero OHG mbH), Ansgar Bergmann (KION Group / Still GmbH), Dr. Reinhard Heister (VDMA/SPS User and Visitor Committee), Bernd Ullrich (Goodyear Tires Germany GmbH), Antje Mörbe (Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH), Nora Nuissl (Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH), Ingo Sawilla (TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen SE + Co. KG), Nikolaus Blümlein (Schwarz Digital GmbH & Co. KG) Image: Mesago Messe Frankfurt
A new user and visitor committee is poised to bring fresh ideas to the SPS Automation Hub. The aim is to promote the sharing of practical insights that will drive innovation and actively shape the future of smart production.
In establishing this committee, the SPS – Smart Production Solutions is aligning its formats even more closely with the needs of the automation community. The trade fair, along with the other digital and physical offerings of the year-round SPS Automation Hub, is to evolve in line with the requirements and expectations of users and visitors in the future.
“The SPS User and Visitor Committee constitutes a strong foundation for collaborating with the mechanical and plant engineering industry as a user sector of automation technology in order to drive technological innovations and shape the future of competitive production in a sustainable way,” explains Dr. Reinhard Heister, managing director of Electrical Automation and of Forum Manufacturing-X (part of VDMA e.V.), who will serve as chairman of the new committee.
A source of ideas for practical formats
The committee sees itself as an active advisory body. Through continuous dialog, it will help shape formats within the SPS Automation Hub in ways that are not only target-group- appropriate, but sustainable and application-oriented, as well. In addition to the trade fair itself, these formats currently include the monthly SPS Technology Talks, the Industrial Technology Summit, and SPS Insights on news and developments from the world of automation. The focus is on sharing ideas in order to take up viewpoints from the user perspective at an early stage.
“The committee is enabling us to incorporate that perspective directly into the design of our formats,” says Sylke Schulz-Metzer, Vice President SPS. “The result? Content that offers orientation, addresses current challenges, promotes interaction on equal footing – and ensures an experience that remains inspiring and practical.”
Focus on dialogue and market proximity to the automation community
“The committee currently consists of 10 members and is chaired by the VDMA’s Dr. Reinhard Heister, whose expertise is invaluable in setting a thematic course,” adds Daniel Katzer, Vice President SPS New Business. “The body meets four times a year, including twice in person (once at the trade fair). These regular gatherings promote an active exchange and enable us to continue developing the SPS Automation Hub in targeted ways.”
Wanted: expertise from the real world
The SPS Automation Hub thrives on a vibrant dialog with users of automation technology. Anyone who would like to help shape its future and contribute a practical perspective can reach out at any time and register to join the committee.
“The close-knit community of suppliers and users in the field of automation technology opens up great opportunities to grow together in the context of the industry’s advancing digitalization,” affirms Dr. Reinhard Heister.
Further information
Detailed information on the SPS Automation Hub, as well as on the trade fair’s extensive offerings, the organisation of tickets, and the best ways to prepare for the event, is available at sps-messe.com. The SPS trade fair is taking place for the 34th time this year, from 25 – 27 November in Nuremberg.
