Industrial automation fair expands to China

Though trade fairs in the U.S. have declined significantly over the past several years, they are still big business in Europe and Asia. Further evidence of trade show popularity overseas can be seen in the expansion of the SPS show—the Nuremberg, Germany event recognized as one of the premier industrial trade shows in Europe—to China.

By Control Engineering Staff April 1, 2009

Though trade fairs in the U.S. have declined significantly over the past several years, they are still big business in Europe and Asia. Further evidence of trade show popularity overseas can be seen in the expansion of the SPS show—the Nuremberg, Germany event recognized as one of the premier industrial trade shows in Europe—to China.

Four exhibition organizers from China and Germany have joined together to launch a new show in China for the industrial automation and motion control solutions sector. Their goal is to have the March 2010 event to be “the prime-sourcing platform in China for manufacturers wanting industrial automation and intelligent motion solutions.”

Sponsored by China Foreign Trade Centre (Group) and Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, the four-day SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou will be held at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou on March 8–11, 2010. This new event replaces the China (Guangzhou) International Factory Automation and Instrument Exhibition currently run by China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Corporation and Guangzhou Overseas Trade Fairs Ltd.

The show is expected to be of particular interest to exhibitors whose business is related to the equipment/devices and automation system software sectors, as well to consultants, trainers, engineers and trade associations. Specific solutions will include drive systems and components, electrical and mechanical components and peripheral equipment, low voltage switching devices, sensor and control technology, and assembly and dismantling equipment.

Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH has held the SPS show in Germany for more than 20 years. The 2008 fair welcomed 1,386 exhibitors and 40,105 visitors in a gross exhibition area of 94,700 sq meters. Expanding the SPS fair and strengthening its presence in China makes sense, according to president Joseph Rath. China is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing automation markets in the world, he said, citing the following statistics:

  • Sensors: China has of 10 major categories of sensors plus 42 subcategories and over 6,000 varieties of sensor products. In 2007, demand for sensors (including photoelectric switches, proximity switches and travel switches) increased by 21.12% to 39 million units.

  • Control systems and drives: In 2008, the programmable logic controller (PLC) market in China was worth a record RMB 5 billion, and by 2012 the Chinese motor drives market is expected to surpass the Western European market to become the largest in the world.

For further information about SPS — Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou, email sps@china.messefrankfurt.com or visit the Messe Frankfurt website.

www.messefrankfurt.com.hk