Having featured 1,675 exhibitors on 130,000 square meters across 16 exhibition halls this year, the biggest SPS IPS Drives ever took place at the end of November. The event also drew a record number of visitors in 2017, as 70,264 well-informed attendees took the opportunity to learn about the latest solutions in industrial automation. As we approach the end of 2017, SPS IPC Drives has reaffirmed its reputation as an annual highlight and the automation industry’s leading exhibition.
The event was officially opened on Tuesday 28th November by Dr Thomas Schäfer, the Hessian Minister of Finance. Mr. Schäfer praised the SPS IPC Drives as a central platform for industrial automation, which is one of the core competencies of the German economy.
This year’s event owes much of its success to the extraordinary level of innovation on display at virtually every booth occupied by its 1,675 exhibiting companies. Indeed, the exhibition floor was buzzing with attendees’ in-depth discussions of new products and market launches, as well as glimpses into the future of automation.
Groundbreaking technologies set the tone
With its fresh focus on software and IT in manufacturing, the newly aligned Hall 6 proved to be particularly popular. The professionals in attendance showed a keen interest in industrial web services, digital business platforms, and other solutions in software, cybersecurity, and the cloud. They also took advantage of the chance to find out more about current industry topics in this year’s topic-specific showcases, which included the shared booth “Automation Meets IT”. Other visitors flocked to the shared booth on image processing (overseen by the German industry association VDMA) and the four forums held in the exhibition’s halls, where numerous presentations and podium discussions provided for an exciting and informative range of supporting attractions. Finally, the guided tours offered in special topic areas for the first time this year garnered a high level of interest (and resulting bookings) among attendees and exhibitors alike.
Statements on SPS IPC Drives 2017
“This Fair affords us the opportunity to not only come together under one roof but also talk in detail about the requirements of the innovations, which are of particular importance to our customers, as well as plan the next steps for the upcoming months.” – Markus Sandhöfner, Managing Director, B&R Industrie-Elektronik GmbH
“The SPS IPC Drives is an absolute highlight in my annual calendar. Automation can be technical and dry but one can experience it as humane up-close at the SPS IPC Drives. At the end of the day people buy from people and it is important for us that alongside meeting technical decision-makers, we can encounter decision-makers from higher management levels. On the one hand, it’s about showing technical competence, on the other it’s all about trust which can be developed and built up with business partners.” – Thomas Höfling, Managing Director, SICK Vertriebs-GmbH
“The SPS IPC Drives has developed in leaps and bounds but has always been true to its core topic. Here we can meet the users or potential users of our products. Our Product Managers have the chance to discuss different subjects with them and in this way, customers can obtain information that they may have to spend a long time looking for. Our Product Managers, on the other hand, can find out what’s important to our customers – a real win-win situation. This really is a great Fair!” – Heinz Eisenbeiss, Head of Marketing Automation Systems, Siemens A
“I am so enthusiastic about this Fair. Anyone who wants to see current technology and innovation can certainly obtain an overview here within a short amount of time.” – Gunther Koschnik, Managing Director, Trade Association Automation, ZVEI
Next year’s event will be held on 27-29 November at Nuremberg’s exhibition center. For more information, please visit www.sps-messe.de.
