HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology, is all set to return in April 2025, offering vital insights into the future of global industry. Amidst the rising competition among nations and companies, the event will emphasize the significance of advancing digitalization, automation, and electrification as pivotal drivers of competitiveness and sustainability.

“We are at a historic crossroads,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe. “The current global environment is shaping what the industrial power structures will look like in the future.”

A look at the state of affairs in the automotive industry reveals that the overall international situation is compelling not only individual manufacturing companies but also entire industrial nations to fundamentally rethink their strategies. Köckler: “Whether it's the U.S., Asia or Europe. More investment is urgently needed in the digitalization, automation, and electrification of industry. Only in this way can competitiveness and sustainability be brought into alignment.”

Under the motto “Industrial Transformation – Energizing a Sustainable Industry”, about 5,000 companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and digital industries, as well as the energy sector, will be showcasing solutions for the production and energy supply of the future. This is where artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role. Köckler: “Artificial intelligence will revolutionize manufacturing companies’ entire value chains, and in doing so significantly boost their competitiveness.”

The exhibiting companies include global tech giants such as Bosch, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and Siemens, as well as technology leaders from the SME segment, for example Beckhoff, Festo, Harting, ifm, LAPP, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schaeffler and SEW. Renowned research institutes like Fraunhofer or KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) will outline industrial solutions for tomorrow, while over 300 startups from a variety of technology sectors showcase innovations with disruptive potential.

From the digitalization of complex production processes, the use of hydrogen to operate entire production plants, right through to the application of AI to optimize production processes, HANNOVER MESSE presents a holistic picture of the technological possibilities for the industry of today and tomorrow. The focus here is on the interaction of robotics, artificial intelligence, drive technologies, sovereign data spaces (Manufacturing X), renewable energies, hydrogen, and a host of other technologies, including the industrial metaverse.

“What sets HANNOVER MESSE apart is its emphasis on connecting with decision-makers at all levels,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler. “Whether it is production managers searching for a new robotics solution to automate their plant, or a managing director looking to pave the way into the digital future for the entire company – they are sure to find their point of contact at HANNOVER MESSE. It's about both specific solutions as well as the comprehensive transformation of entire companies – with a constant focus on competitiveness.”

“That said, competitiveness is also contingent on general political conditions,” emphasizes Köckler. This is exactly where he sees a further strong point of HANNOVER MESSE: “It has consistently been the bridge between the corporate world and politics.” It is not just about the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and information – in Hannover, politicians can experience first-hand how technologies make for greater efficiency, sustainability, competitiveness, and prosperity. And not just on a German or European level, but globally, such as with Canada, the partner country at HANNOVER MESSE 2025. 

“With Canada as partner country, we have a strong, innovative partner that fits perfectly with the concept of the event: a leader in digitalization and renewable energies, and a reliable geostrategic partner,” adds Köckler.  As partner country in 2025, Canada will strengthen its ties with Europe and build partnerships between Canadian and global companies focused on digital technologies, industrial transformation, and robust supply chains. For HANNOVER MESSE 2025, Canada plans to participate with more than 200 Canadian companies from the fields of artificial intelligence, automation, clean technology, electromobility, hydrogen, and robotics.'

Click here to register for HANNOVER MESSE 2025