Messe Frankfurt has confirmed the launch of SPS Automation Shanghai in 2015 as the latest member under the umbrella of the worldwide SPS IPC Drives series. The show will be held concurrently with PCIM Asia from June 24-26 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center. The fair is jointly organized by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd., Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH and Shanghai Pudong International Exhibition Corp.

Petra Haarburger, president of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH expressed: “This is an exciting time for automation technology in China. After careful consultation process with various industry associations as well as influential brands, we decided to launch the Shanghai edition. This decision was made more apparent due to our continuous success with SIAF - SPS Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou.”

Louis Leung, deputy general manager at Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd commented: “Operating in line with its mother show, SPS IPC Drives Nuremberg, Germany, the Shanghai show will concentrate on meeting the ever-growing demands of East China’s infrastructure- and heavy industry-related sectors. Sensor technology will be a particular highlight of the inaugural show, as the technology holds the key to designing state-of-the-art automated systems. In total, over 70 exhibitors are expected at the 2015 show.”

SPS Automation Shanghai aims to gather the world’s leading smart grid system, public transportation network, machinery development as well as energy and electricity management brand. It will be held alongside with PCIM Asia, which specialises in power electronics, intelligent motion, renewable energy and energy management. The synergy between visitors of both shows is expected to be strong, particularly in the areas of electrical vehicle development as well as power and energy management.

The show will feature drive systems and components, electromechanical components and peripheral equipment, sensor technology, control technology, IPCs, interface technology, human-machine-interface devices, assembly equipment, industrial communication and many more.

Leung added, “Power devices and industrial automation are interrelated in many areas. Potential exhibitors of both fairs have indicated positive interest in the concurrent arrangement.”

China’s infrastructure development goals signal unprecedented demand for system-to-system automation technology

Automation technology is one of the key elements for infrastructure development in China, with the biggest short-term demand coming from railway construction. The country is expected to complete investment of over USD 200 billion in the development of its national railway and urban transportation systems by 2015. The goal is to create a safe and intelligent national transportation network which utilises automation technology in its industrial systems, computer communication devices, field bus servers as well as large-scale SCADA systems.

Furthermore, sensor technology is another key development focus in China. The top four application sectors in 2012 were industrial, automotive, telecommunications and consumer electronic products. It is expected that the industrial scale will amount to more than USD 9.7 billion by 2020, over 70% of which are manufactured domestically.

Additionally, China has ambitious plans for developing smart grid systems across the country’s various municipalities. Between 2014 and 2020, USD 643 billion is expected to be invested in the development of smart grids that fully automate the management of electricity, traffic systems, centralised heating, water and waste facilities, and more. Suppliers of system-to-system as well as machine-to-machine focused automation solutions are expected to find a wealth of opportunities in this emerging market.

“SPS Automation Shanghai will serve as the annual gathering point for professionals across these sectors. The show will not only present to China what the global automation industry has to offer, but also better educate suppliers on how their innovative solutions support the lucrative Chinese market,” Haarburger further explained.