ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich

Overview

ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich is a regional, highly focused trade show for industrial automation, robotics and digitalization solutions, taking place at Messe Zürich on 26–27 August 2026. It forms part of the wider all about automation series in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and is co-located with maintenance Switzerland, creating a compact platform for automation users, component suppliers, system integrators and service providers to meet and exchange in person.

The Zurich edition emphasises practical, ready-to-implement solutions for flexible automation and smart production in the context of Industry 4.0. Exhibitors include manufacturers of control technology, drive systems, sensors, industrial communication, safety technology, robotics, software and engineering services, as well as providers of maintenance and lifecycle services.

The concept is deliberately regional and compact: short distances, clearly structured halls and a curated exhibitor mix are designed to support efficient visits and targeted discussions. Visitors encounter a mix of booth presentations, live demonstrations and specialist talks that focus on concrete application cases rather than generic technology showcases.

Decision-makers and practitioners can discuss requirements directly with technical experts on the stands, compare different solution approaches and gather impulses for modernising production lines, machines and plants. Co-location with maintenance Switzerland adds topics such as asset management, predictive maintenance, condition monitoring and plant reliability to the automation agenda, making the event attractive for both production and maintenance organisations.

Within the all about automation portfolio, Zurich is strategically important because of its location in the most populous and economically strong canton of Switzerland, with excellent transport connections and a high concentration of industrial companies and technology providers. The organisers position the show as a regular meeting point in even years for the Swiss automation community, offering a manageable format that complements larger international fairs.

Although detailed annual visitor and exhibitor figures for Zurich are not published, the series as a whole reports around 28,000 annual visitors across all locations, underlining its relevance as a regional platform for automation and robotics. whoShouldAttend

What to Expect

Visitors to ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich 2026 can expect a compact, application-focused trade show that concentrates on practical automation, robotics and digitalization solutions for industrial production and machinery. The concept prioritises direct, personal exchange: stands are staffed with technical experts and decision-makers, enabling detailed discussions about specific use cases, retrofit projects, and new installations. The overall atmosphere is designed to be manageable and efficient rather than overwhelming, with clear hall structures and a curated exhibitor mix that makes it easy to navigate. The exhibition showcases a broad spectrum of automation technologies: control and PLC systems, industrial PCs, drive technology, motors, sensors, measurement and control equipment, safety systems, industrial networking and communication, robotics solutions, and engineering and integration services. Many exhibitors present live demonstrations of machines, robot cells, and components to illustrate how solutions can be integrated into existing environments and what productivity or reliability gains they can offer. Software tools for monitoring, data acquisition, edge computing and cloud connectivity complement the hardware solutions, reflecting the growing importance of digitalization and Industry 4.0 in everyday industrial practice. In addition to the exhibition area, visitors typically find short specialist presentations and best-practice talks that address topics such as smart production, flexible automation, digital retrofits, and safety concepts. Co-location with maintenance Switzerland extends the programme to cover maintenance strategies, predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, asset management and lifecycle services, giving participants a broader view across the entire plant lifecycle. The organiser highlights that the Zurich event will run as part of a trade show trio with Maintenance, featuring around 300 exhibitors, which substantially increases the variety of solutions and potential partners available on site. Overall, attendees can expect a focused, regional event where they can compare suppliers, gather concrete implementation ideas and network with peers from the Swiss automation and manufacturing community – all within a two-day format that is optimised for efficient, purposeful visits. whoShouldAttend

Who Should Attend

ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich 2026 is designed for professional trade visitors from the industrial automation and manufacturing sectors. Typical attendees include automation engineers and technicians responsible for specifying, integrating and maintaining control systems, drives, sensors and safety technology in machines and plants. The show is also relevant for production and plant managers who are planning investments in modernisation, flexible automation or digitalization, and who need to evaluate solution options in direct comparison. System integrators, OEMs and machine builders benefit from the broad range of component suppliers, robotics providers and software vendors, enabling them to identify new technologies and partners for their projects. Maintenance managers, service providers and reliability engineers are an important part of the audience, especially due to the co-location with maintenance Switzerland, which addresses inspection, repair, predictive maintenance and asset management topics alongside automation. The event is well suited for technical decision-makers in SMEs and larger industrial companies who value a regional, time-efficient format over multi-day international fairs. Engineering service providers, consulting firms and technology startups working on Industry 4.0 solutions can use the show to connect with potential customers and collaborators. Because the event belongs to a series that emphasises direct dialogue, it is particularly valuable for professionals who want to speak with experts on the stands, clarify technical questions and obtain concrete recommendations rather than general marketing information. Educational institutions, such as universities and vocational schools with programmes in electrical engineering, automation and mechanical engineering, may also find the show useful for keeping curricula aligned with current industrial practice, though the primary focus remains on active industry practitioners and corporate decision-makers. whyItMatters

Why It Matters

ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich 2026 is significant because it provides the Swiss industrial sector with a specialised, regional platform for automation, robotics and digitalization at a time when many companies are under pressure to increase efficiency, flexibility and resilience. By focusing on practical, ready-to-use solutions and direct dialogue, the event helps organisations move beyond abstract Industry 4.0 concepts to concrete implementation steps. For manufacturers and machine builders, the show is a place to benchmark technologies and suppliers in a concentrated format. Short supply chains, energy efficiency and production flexibility have become critical competitive factors, and automation plays a central role in achieving these goals. The ability to meet around 300 exhibitors from different areas – from component manufacturers to system integrators and maintenance providers – in just two days reduces the time and cost of market research and supplier selection. This is particularly valuable for SMEs, which often lack the resources to attend multiple large international fairs. The Zurich edition also matters because of its co-location with maintenance Switzerland, which aligns automation strategies with maintenance and asset management considerations. Integrating maintenance perspectives early in automation projects helps companies improve uptime, reduce lifecycle costs and design more robust systems. The combined event thus encourages a holistic view of the production plant, bridging departments that often work in isolation. Within the wider all about automation portfolio, Zurich strengthens the series’ presence in Switzerland, a country with a strong high-tech manufacturing base and engineering culture. The show contributes to knowledge transfer and networking within this community, supporting innovation and collaboration. The series’ reported 28,000 annual visitors across all locations underscores its role as a recognised meeting point for automation professionals in German-speaking Europe. In summary, ALL ABOUT AUTOMATION – Zürich 2026 matters because it accelerates the adoption of modern automation and digitalization solutions in Swiss industry, fosters cross-disciplinary exchange between automation and maintenance experts, and provides a time-efficient, regionally anchored alternative to large-scale international exhibitions.