Despite a challenging economic environment, the exhibitors of the leading trade fair automatica look forward to the coming years with great confidence. Expectations for the future economic development of the industry were even at a historic high in 2025. Thus, the industry is counting on investment readiness, innovative strength, and long-term growth at the beginning of the year.
For this survey, the exhibitor surveys conducted in collaboration with the Gelszus Institute for Trade Fair Market Research were evaluated. Companies were asked for their assessment of the current economic situation of the industry as well as their expectations for future development.
VDMA: 'Impressive Evidence of the Industry's Potential'
Although the assessment of the current economic situation has become increasingly negative since 2018, the outlook for the future remains clearly positive. Even the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing trade conflicts, or geopolitical tensions have not shaken the fundamental belief of companies that automation, robotics, and intelligent production solutions are among the central future technologies. 'The pronounced optimism is impressive evidence of the industry's potential,' says Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of VDMA Robotics + Automation. 'The good news is that the importance of automation will continue to grow. The accelerating demographic change and increased demands for competitiveness are already significant drivers for global automation for many years to come.'
automatica as a Driver and Mirror of the Industry
'At automatica 2025, it was clearly felt that the industry is indeed operating in a challenging market environment, but has not lost any of its optimism,' says Exhibition Director Anja Schneider. 'The long-term analysis provides numerical evidence of what most visitors and exhibitors at the fair have already sensed. 97% of exhibitors and 98% of visitors are convinced that the importance of the leading trade fair will continue to increase or remain at the currently high level.'
The next automatica will take place from June 22 to 25, 2027, in Munich.
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