SPS will be back for its 34th edition at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre, from 25-27th November 2025.
The automation world will be watching SPS – Smart Production Solutions closely, as it brings together decision-makers, developers, and visionaries from around the world. For over three decades, SPS has remained a platform for innovation and exchange, and a reliable barometer for the latest trends and technological developments in the automation industry.
Spanning 15 exhibition halls, SPS 2025 is set to host around 1,150 exhibitors from the automation industry, each presenting their latest smart production solutions and product innovations. Alongside international names such as Siemens, Beckhoff Automation, Phoenix Contact, and Bosch Rexroth, numerous British firms – including Analog Devices, Motortronics, and Mechan Controls – will also take part with dedicated exhibition stands.
A key theme this year will be artificial intelligence (AI) in production technology, as the technology sweeps the industry. Industrial AI is increasingly being integrated into manufacturing processes, from process engineering and control systems to predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and adaptive production. These technologies are reshaping automation and unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, flexibility, and resource management.
As Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS, explained: “In many production environments, industrial AI is no longer a topic for the future, it is already a reality. At the SPS 2025, our exhibitors will be showing how AI is already being used in practice today and its potential for future automation applications.”
Visitors seeking a hands-on understanding of these innovations can take part in the twice-daily guided tours led by SmartFactory Kaiserslautern. These tours, led by industry experts, explore pioneering hardware and software companies and the challenges they are addressing. As Dr. Ingo Herbst, Press Spokesperson for SmartFactory Kaiserslautern, noted: “The aim of our tours is to provide targeted insights into key technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and security in system architecture. A key priority for us is facilitating the transfer of technological expertise into industrial practice.”
The range of solutions, technical presentations, and live demonstrations at SPS 2025 will again attract an international audience, including from the UK. In 2024, over 460 participants from the UK attended, ranking 8th amongst international attendees, and 4% of exhibitors were from the UK. The event continues to serve as a compass for navigating technological transformation while inspiring innovation across industries.
Live on the SPS stages: knowledge transfer, innovation, and dialogue
Four stages at the event will host discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions. A standout feature will be the Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI in Hall 3, organised by two leading industry associations.
Sessions will delve into Industrial AI, digital transformation, sustainability, and other current automation challenges. In adjacent Meet the Speaker zones, attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with presenters, ask questions, and engage in deeper dialogue.
Shared booths: platforms for collaboration and creativity
In Hall 6, three shared exhibition spaces will unite expertise and innovation:
- Automation meets IT: a showcase of digitalisation, cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0, where automation meets modern IT
- International startup area: a focal point for global startups introducing fresh concepts and disruptive technologies
- young INNOVATORS: sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), this area will spotlight emerging German companies and their latest developments
Supporting young professionals: Makeathon amd Young Talents Day
With the Makeathon and Young Talents Day, SPS 2025 continues its commitment to nurturing the next generation. Aimed at students, apprentices, and young professionals, the Makeathon – held across all three days of the event – will challenge participants to create prototypes in just 2.5 hours, collaborating directly with exhibitors and companies. The initiative is supported by ITQ, New Automation, NürnbergMesse, and several industry sponsors.
The event will conclude with Young Talents Day, featuring guided tours and career advice sessions offering insights into opportunities within the automation industry.
Looking back at SPS 2024
SPS’ continued success lies not only in its extensive range of technologies but also in its international reach. The 2024 event attracted 51,291 visitors, with 29% coming from outside Germany. The UK remained among the most well-represented countries, contributing 463 attendees – around 3% of non-German visitors.
