The industry is under massive pressure. For companies to remain competitive, products must be developed faster, produced more cost-effectively, and deliver significant added value. Machine and plant manufacturers achieve this through the intelligent interplay of software, hardware, and automation. At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, Rittal and Eplan will demonstrate how this three-step approach generates significant speed and scaling benefits even for smaller companies. Solutions ranging from engineering and sourcing to systems engineering, automation, and service will be showcased. Highlights include the further development of the Eplan product portfolio, the introduction of Eplan Smart Sourcing and Product Change Notification (PCN), new platforms for power supply and cooling in industry and AI-enabled IT infrastructure, a new, compact fully automatic wire assembly machine, and a future-proof portfolio of cooling units and chillers designed to meet the new EU requirements for refrigerants.

Speed as the Decisive Currency

“In industry, speed is becoming the decisive currency. Those who don’t keep pace will lose out to the competition,” says Uwe Scharf, Managing Director of Sales for Germany and Europe at Rittal. “Software, hardware, and automation must function as an integrated system. This synergy creates the speed and scalability that companies need to plan and produce faster and operate their applications more efficiently. “

Data Consistency: The Foundation of Fast Industrial Processes

The starting point is engineering. This is where the data that controls planning, procurement, manufacturing, and operations is generated. The more structured and consistent this data is, the more processes can be automated and accelerated.

“The opportunities offered by automation and AI can only be realized if the data foundation is right,” says Sebastian Seitz, Managing Director of Eplan. “Well-prepared engineering data is becoming a strategic resource for industry.” At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, Eplan will demonstrate how engineering processes can be simplified and data continuity consistently expanded. With the further development of Eplan software, the product portfolio has been significantly streamlined and aligned even more closely with typical user workflows. Engineering disciplines can be better integrated and form the basis for a digital twin as a single source of truth.

New perspectives along the entire value chain

Based on this data, new perspectives are emerging along the entire value chain, which will be presented in Hanover. With Eplan Smart Sourcing, the availability and delivery times of components will be visible as early as the engineering phase. Designers can identify at an early stage whether components will be available on time or if alternatives should be planned—long coordination loops with purchasing or suppliers will then be a thing of the past.

Component change management becomes more transparent

Component change management also becomes more transparent. Product Change Notification (PCN) is the key term. This allows information about component changes to be transmitted. The Eplan software receives this information from the component manufacturer via the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) and uses it to update the Data Portal. As a result, a message appears in the portal—automatically, consistently, and error-free. On this basis, users receive early notifications of discontinuations, technical changes, or important updates and can immediately incorporate them into their engineering work.

From Data to Automated Manufacturing

Structured engineering data also forms the foundation for automated production processes. At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, Rittal will demonstrate how this data foundation can be directly translated into faster and more stable manufacturing processes in plant engineering. Rittal Automation Systems demonstrates how even smaller control system manufacturers can benefit from the advantages of fully automated wire termination with the new Wire Terminal WT L series. This compact and cost-effective new development lowers the barrier to entry for automation and makes these technologies accessible to a larger number of companies.

Digital industry needs innovative IT infrastructure for AI

HANNOVER MESSE 2026 showcases the potential of AI for industry through countless use cases. To implement it on a large scale, however, requires breaking new ground in IT infrastructure. Artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are driving power density in data centers to a new level, necessitating entirely new concepts—especially regarding power and cooling. In Hannover, Rittal is therefore showcasing innovative infrastructure solutions that enable the necessary data center transformation for AI. New architectures bring power distribution closer to IT systems and enable modular power supply directly within the white space of data centers, including with direct current. Power distribution platforms such as RiLineX and Ri4Power provide the technological foundation for this. One example of such architectures are so-called sidecar solutions, in which power electronics are installed in dedicated power racks directly next to the server racks. They enable a scalable and standardized power supply for highly dense data center infrastructures.

New Solutions for Direct Chip Cooling

As power density increases—including through the use of AI—cooling is simultaneously becoming a greater focus. Traditional air-based concepts are reaching their physical limits; chips must be cooled directly with liquid. Rittal is therefore presenting solutions for direct chip cooling in a special exhibition, which also open up new possibilities for heat recovery and are thus intended to address the conflict between AI usage and the CO2 footprint.

Designing applications to comply with regulations early on

Visitors will also find solutions there that meet the growing demand for industrial and outdoor applications, such as battery storage systems. Here, regulatory requirements are driving technological change. Starting in 2027, stricter requirements for refrigerants in cooling units and chillers will apply in the EU. Rittal offers a future-proof portfolio that enables machine and plant manufacturers to design their applications to comply with regulations early on and ensure their long-term viability.

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