"You could sense and see the excitement everywhere: bustling aisles, eager visitors, packed forums, and satisfied exhibitors." This was impression of Digital Factory 2016 that Rainer Glatz left with last year. A similar scene awaits the Executive Secretary of VDMA for Electrical Automation, Software and Digitalization: "We will be back again as sponsoring partner for Digital Factory, and are expecting further rapid growth in exhibitor and visitor numbers."

"For anyone interested in the future of intelligent, digitalized production, HANNOVER MESSE is a must," says Rainer Glatz. Interest in being a part of Digital Factory has grown steadily since its inauguration in 2004. In the past two years this interest has expanded exponentially: Over 350 exhibitors and 86,500 trade visitors made 2016 a record year for Digital Factory.

Arno Reich, Manager of Digital Factory, sees the reason for this interest in the themes and the structural development of show: "Incorporated into HANNOVER MESSE, and the only event that reflects the entire industrial value chain, Digital Factory is the perfect platform to present IT solutions and processes for the industrial sector," says Reich. Exhibits now range from traditional CAD systems to AI and cloud services. "The supporting forums and conferences , especially the Industrie 4.0 Forum in Hall 8, have become major events and increase the attractiveness of Digital Factory," continues Reich. In 2016, the Industrie 4.0 Forum attracted over 8,200 visitors.

The layout for Digital Factory 2017 has more room for exhibitors and visitors: CAx and PLM can be found in Hall 6 – with major exhibitors like Dassault Systemes, EPLAN Software&Service, Siemens Software, Autodesk and IGE-XAO. New to Hall 6 is the Additive Manufacturing cluster represented, among others, by Arburg, HP, Stratasys and EOS. Also new to Hall 6 this year are BITKOM and Accenture. The CAE Forum can be found once again in Hall 6 as well.

"Overall 2017 will be even more international – and even better integrated with other exhibition areas ," states Arno Reich. As a part of HANNOVER MESSE, Digital Factory provides the IT sector with numerous intersections to other industries such as machine engineering, drive systems and components, and the energy sector. One example of this is its proximity to Industrial Supply , which can result in "major synergy potential in the area of lightweight construction." Arno Reich is certain that "the incorporation into the world’s leading trade show for the industrial sector makes Digital Factory globally unique – and this year’s Industrie 4.0 hype will ensure sustainable growth."