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New voice for the SPS Automation Hub comes directly from the community

20 Nov 2025

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.

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
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

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 dialog 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 organization 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.

 

SPS

Smart Production Solutions – the 34th annual international trade fair for industrial automation

The SPS will be held from 25 – 27 November 2025.

 

Press information and photographic material:

Press – SPS

Links to websites:

SPS - Smart Production Solutions

https://www.facebook.com/spsmesse 

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sps-smart-production-solutions/ 

https://www.instagram.com/spsmesse/

Your contact:

Luise Werner

Phone: +49 711 61946-406

luise.werner@mesago.com

 

Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH

Rotebuehlstraße 83 -85

70178 Stuttgart

www.mesago.com

Background information on Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH

Since 1982, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH has specialized in creating B2B formats for specific technology topics. Having originally emerged from the trade fair and congress sector, the company now offers much more than internationally established technology events. Thanks to the consistent development of its portfolio, Mesago connects leading players worldwide through innovative platforms in the form of industry-specific technology hubs, available 24/7, 365 days a year. Alongside traditional expos and conferences, these hubs comprise digital events, in-depth knowledge formats, and comprehensive services that are tailored to the specific requirements of individual industries.

These hubs create a dynamic space for a timely exchange of information and technological innovation, providing a year-round flow of content. With a view to the ever-changing needs of trade communities, Mesago creates ideal conditions through its forward-looking formats, primarily to further develop an even more efficient global network and to ensure that it is always up to date with the latest developments. This is true to the company's motto: 'Driving technologies by connecting bright minds'.

As part of the Messe Frankfurt Group, Mesago employs around 170 people at its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. (mesago.com)

Background information on Messe Frankfurt

www.messefrankfurt.com/background-information

Sustainability at Messe Frankfurt

www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability-information