When the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre opens its doors from 25 – 27 November 2025, the attention of the automation industry will be focused on the SPS – Smart Production Solutions. Uniting decision-makers, developers, and visionaries globally, the international exhibition has been a staple in the industry calendar for over thirty years – a hub for innovation and interaction, serving as a trustworthy indicator for the newest trends and technological advancements in the automation sector.
Spanning 15 exhibition halls, the SPS 2025 will host approximately 1,150 companies from the automation sector to display innovative smart production solutions and their newest product offerings. In addition to international industry leaders like Siemens, Beckhoff Automation, Phoenix Contact, and Bosch Rexroth, numerous start-ups will also participate with their own exhibition spaces.
This year’s SPS will focus primarily on artificial intelligence in production technology. Industrial AI is being integrated into numerous industrial products and processes to aid process engineering, manage devices using different AI models, or serve as part of intelligent tools for predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and flexible production management. These technologies are fundamentally transforming automation and creating new opportunities for efficiency, flexibility, and resource conservation. Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS, states, “In various production settings, industrial AI is not just a future concept; it is already a reality.” At SPS 2025, our exhibitors will demonstrate the current practical applications of AI and its potential for future automation uses.
The twice-daily guided tours offered by SmartFactory Kaiserslautern offer practical insights into this. Guided by experts, the tours take in innovative companies in the hardware and software sector, highlighting the technical challenges currently being faced. According to Dr. Ingo Herbst, press spokesperson for SmartFactory Kaiserslautern, “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 diverse solutions, specialist presentations, and live demonstrations also appeal to an international trade audience. In 2024, the number of international visitors to the event reached 14,700. The SPS helps visitors navigate the changing technological landscape and offers inspiration for driving innovation in their own companies.
Stages and shared booths for imparting knowledge and nurturing young talent
In addition to the expansive exhibition area, the SPS 2025 will offer a diverse and future-oriented program of supporting events for trade visitors, industry experts, and young talent alike.
Live on the SPS Stages: Knowledge transfer, innovation, and dialog
A total of four stages in Halls 1, 3, 3C, and 6 offer an opportunity for discussion, knowledge sharing, and inspiration. A particular highlight will be the Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI in Hall 3, which is organized by the two leading industry associations. In addition to Industrial AI, its focus will be on current developments, trends, and challenges in automation – from digital transformation to sustainable production. What’s more, the neighboring Meet the Speaker zones offer an opportunity to speak to the speakers in person. Visitors can ask specific questions, network, and explore the presentation content in greater depth.
Focus on nurturing young talent: Makeathon & Young Talents Day
With the SPS Makeathon and the Young Talents Day, the event also has a clear focus on nurturing young talent. Aimed at school pupils, students, apprentices, and young professionals, the Makeathon, which will run on all three days of the exhibition, gives participants, working in interdisciplinary teams, 2.5 hours in which to develop their own prototypes live on site and in direct exchange with companies. The format is being supported by ITQ, New Automation, NürnbergMesse, as well as dedicated sponsors from among the exhibitors. The final event will be Young Talents Day on the last day of the exhibition: Guided tours in the morning and afternoon as well as individual careers advice offer young interested parties valuable insights and support with carving out a future career in the automation industry.