What 21st century manufacturing means for the integrated industry

There will be around 6,500 companies from 70 countries present their products and services to more than 200,000 visitors from 80 countries, and this year Poland is Partner Country.

Global industry’s platform for business and politics
As the birthplace and driver of Industrie 4.0, HANNOVER MESSE is a magnet for business leaders and politicians who want to learn how digitalisation is transforming manufacturing and energy systems. HANNOVER MESSE is also a major platform for technology transfer and the only event in the world that presents the complete industrial value chain, from product development all the way to final finishing.

HANNOVER MESSE attracts managers from small and medium-sized companies as well as CEOs from global enterprises such as Apple, Foxconn, Microsoft, and Volkswagen. 95% of visitors are trade professionals, 68% are key decision-makers, and 44% are executives. Furthermore, 52% seek new suppliers. Roughly one third of visitors come from abroad.

Integrated Industry: The defining trend of 21st Century manufacturing
Marc Siemering, Senior Vice President of HANNOVER MESSE, said: “Integrated industry is the defining trend of 21st Century manufacturing. Manufacturers who do not embrace digitalisation to increase efficiency, flexibility and productivity will struggle to remain competitive.”

In 2016, exhibitors demonstrated more than 400 practical Industry 4.0 applications at HANNOVER MESSE. With its lead theme for 2017, ‘Integrated Industry – Creating Value’, HANNOVER MESSE brings to the forefront trends such as cobots (co-robots), digital twin, energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, and smart materials and coatings.

“Manufacturers must realise that digitalisation adds value not only with better facilities and machinery, but also by creating new lines of business and improving productivity and satisfaction among employees,” said Siemering. “At HANNOVER MESSE 2017, exhibitors will demonstrate how even companies with limited resources can benefit from integrated industry.”

Many countries now support digitalisation initiatives. HANNOVER MESSE provides the opportunity to compare visions of Industry 4.0 on a global scale.

At HANNOVER MESSE, digitalisation is not limited to manufacturing. Under the motto ‘Integrated Energy’, exhibitors in the energy halls show how Industry 4.0 impacts energy systems. Visitors find not only the full range of products for conventional energy generation, transmission, distribution, and storage, but also new solutions such as smart grids, virtual power plants, renewables, and alternative mobility solutions.

The Integrated Energy Plaza in Hall 13, which features an interactive model of a complete regenerative energy circuit, is the hub that ties together all facets of integrated energy.

World’s leading congress for industry and hub for industrial start-ups
With over 1,000 conferences and forums that address topics ranging from Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet and digital transformation to cybersecurity, smart grids and decentralised energy supply, there are programmes such as Tec2You, Job & Career and WoMenPower there to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering or offer current professionals career advice and guidance. Global Business & Markets in Hall 3 is Europe’s leading venue for foreign trade.

Poland- the Partnering Country
Poland, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, has benefited from stable economic growth for many years and in 2015 was one of the EU’s top five most dynamic economic zones: GDP was €423.5bn and foreign trade volume increased eight percent to €354bn. Extensive transportation infrastructure and other public works projects have created opportunities for foreign investors in areas such as environmental technology, mining machinery, shipbuilding, IT security, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Re-industrialisation and innovation are key initiatives for Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development, which is working to accumulate development capital, expand into foreign markets, and promote social and regional development.

At HANNOVER MESSE 2017, Poland will showcase itself as a top location for foreign direct investment, innovation and start-up companies. The primary Partner Country Poland exhibit is in Hall 3.