"Here, in the heartland of mechanical and plant engineering, a trade fair on the topics of maintenance and services is important," emphasizes Sebastian Schmid, Head of the Technology Department at Messe Stuttgart. Discussions with industry representatives and their desire to become active finally convinced the trade fair management, after several associations had already expressed the same wish. "In.Stand naturally showcases the latest trends and solutions in maintenance. With practical seminars and specialist presentations on both days of the trade fair, we also ensure the enormously important transfer of know-how. Quality is our top priority when selecting speakers."

The trade fair is primarily aimed at the mechanical and plant engineering, automotive and automotive supplier industries, which are particularly well represented in southern Germany. However, it also addresses sectors such as metalworking, the process industry (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food), plastics production, electrical engineering and aerospace technology.

"It goes without saying that In.Stand will showcase the latest trends and solutions in maintenance. With practical seminars and specialist presentations on both days of the trade fair, we also ensure the equally important transfer of know-how." Sebastian Schmid, Head of Technology. © Stuttgart Trade Fair

From classic repairs to I4.0
The central themes of the new trade fair are industrial services provided by specialist service companies and internal maintenance and repair organizations. Schmid: "The portfolio ranges from consulting and financing, integration and training to maintenance and dismantling or recycling. The buzzwords here are spare parts management, retrofitting, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance."

The supporting program offers presentations on topics such as predictive (smart) maintenance and Industry 4.0. Guided tours by the FIR, a non-profit, cross-industry research and training institution of RWTH Aachen University, provide a compact industry overview specifically on the topics of "planning and control" and "data acquisition and analysis" in maintenance. A networking evening for exhibitors and visitors will serve to cultivate contacts. Schmid: "We offer a platform where specialists in maintenance, industrial technology, mechanical engineering, mechatronics and services can network."

Machine operators are increasingly focusing on prevention: in addition to regular checks, this can also include preventive measures, such as an "inspection of protective devices", which is offered by automation specialist Pilz. © Mushroom

More than exhibitors: the launch partners of In.Stand
Five companies are so convinced by the new trade fair concept that they have come on board as founding or launch partners. First and foremost: the automation specialist Pilz, which has taken over the organization of the accompanying specialist forum. Other strongly committed companies include BVS Industrie-Elektronik, GSGroup, SEW-Eurodrive and Siemens.

Pilz is already a long-standing partner of Messe Stuttgart. Horst-Dieter Kraus, Vice President Marketing and Communications, is convinced: "The topic of maintenance is becoming increasingly important in times of digitalization, but also in economically difficult times." The In.Stand Expert Forum powered by Pilz was chosen out of the conviction that "the compact implementation in an exhibition hall, in which the Expert Forum also takes place, will lead to an even closer exchange with trade fair visitors".

Roman Mackert, Market Manager Service at SEW-Eurodrive, sees In.Stand as a "new and great opportunity to present our Life Cycle Services portfolio to the specialist audience in the southern region". He considers service in the form of maintenance to be just as important as the products themselves, which are usually exhibited at trade fairs. The exchange of experience and knowledge and the establishment of contacts with decision-makers are also interesting for his company. "We are delighted that In.Stand offers the opportunity to transfer knowledge."