Hannover Messe USA 2018 covered more than 114,200 square feet of exhibit space and featured 510 exhibitors who showcased their innovations to a record breaking 129,415 registered visitors attending both shows. The event’s exhibition and conference space grew 443 percent from the first trade show launched alongside IMTS 2012. Hannover Messe USA increased exhibition space 26 percent compared to the co-located shows at IMTS 2016. More than 80 percent of this year’s exhibitors have offices outside of the U.S.

“Technology providers of all sizes from around the world came to Hannover Messe USA 2018 to demonstrate the latest Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions for the connected factory of the future,” said Larry Turner, president & CEO of Hannover Fairs USA, the organizer of Hannover Messe USA. “Not only did the event showcase the progression of Industry 4.0 in the U.S. it also highlighted that the world’s industrial technology providers are actively collaborating to bring the digital factory to life,” added Turner.

The event featured four main trade shows: Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives USA (IAMD USA) for industrial automation, power transmission and fluid technology; ComVac USA for compressed air and vacuum technology; Industrial Supply USA for industrial subcontracting and supply-chain solutions; and Surface Technology USA for surface treatment and finishing technologies. 

New to the show this year, the Digital Factory showcased how digitalized production technologies are transforming business models and changing market structures. Concepts like Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) represent a paradigm shift in business and society, generated by a growing number of increasingly connected and automated devices, machines and products. 

SAP’s showcase in the Digital Factory demonstrated The Network of Digital Twins in action and turned the spotlight on SAP technologies that allow smart manufacturers to implement modular production, reduce equipment downtime and increase customer retention. 

“Following an outstanding experience exhibiting at Hannover Messe in Germany this April, SAP brought its resources, references and pipeline of successful Industry 4.0 and intelligent product design solutions to Hannover Messe USA 2018 to address North American manufacturers’ challenges,” said Sayan Bose, global director of industrial machinery & components, Industry Business Unit of SAP. “Not only were we able to connect with North and South American manufacturers during the U.S. show, we also extended our reach to a host of global attendees in the industrial manufacturing machinery and components space." 

Also, in the Digital Factory space, Dell launched a new IIoT solution developed in collaboration with Intel and Tridium specifically built to increase plant floor efficiencies for low-volume, high-mix discrete manufacturers. This innovative IIoT solution leverages the scalability and power of Dell’s technology components, Intel’s IoT technology for manufacturing and the energy industry and Tridium’s enterprise software.

Visitors to the joint booth of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Fraunhofer USA and partners during this year’s show could experience how a vibrant mix of new technology in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality as a service, cybersecurity and data sovereignty, sensor and actuator systems, digital engineering, human-machine interaction, 5G, smart materials and smart maintenance are reshaping the future. Fraunhofer successfully offered insight into the latest research results in the fields of production, digitalization, automation and networking, resulting in competitive advantage for businesses in this year’s Digital Factory. 

“The future of digitalized manufacturing and Industry 4.0 rests entirely upon the ability to pool expertise and resources,” said Professor Georg Rosenfeld, member of the executive board of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “Our interdisciplinary expertise sparks new ideas that meet the challenges of a digitalized world and helps create customized solutions right along the value chain for companies of all sizes."

In addition to a variety of demonstrations, Fraunhofer offered many in-depth lectures, talks and expert sessions by renowned German and U.S. scientific leaders during the event. 

“Hannover Messe USA 2018 has proven that the economic impact of digitalization is staggering. Industry 4.0 will give significant rise to productivity in all economically important industries,” added Professor Fritz Klocke, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. “But from the new opportunities that accompany digitalization, expectations grow. As well as being cost-efficient and sustainable, connected production and work processes must be secure, flexible and intuitive.”

The brand-new Solutions Theater offered all visitors more than 60 educational sessions over five days delivered by top industry experts, educators and key influencers. Sessions covered topics from Industry 4.0 meets IIoT to case studies of Industry 4.0 in practice to an Intelligent Manufacturing Solutions Forum plus a live pitch showcase sponsored by GE Ventures and Sente for start-up companies focused on digital factory technologies.

Two conferences, GAMS (Global Automation & Manufacturing Summit) and the Integrated Industries Conference covered new trends and best practices in robotics and AI, maintenance and IIoT, Cybersecurity, Motion, Drive & Automation, Surface Technology, IoT and Industry 4.0. 

The next Hannover Messe USA will be co-located with IMTS 2020 and will take place from September 14-19, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago.