In 1958, a laboratory owned by Pepperl+Fuchs in Mannheim, Germany, invented the proximity switch. And thus began the journey of automation in industry, which today is paving way for the factory of the future, as the buzz at the recently concluded Hannover Fair 2014. Today, automation is the need of every industry, regardless of size and scale, the difference perhaps only in degree.

The Automation series of events launched by Mr Arokiaswamy of IED Communications has today evolved into the biggest trade fair in South East Asia and the second biggest in Asia, after IAS Shanghai.

As preparation are now in right earnest for staging the 9th edition as 'Automation 2014', Arokiaswamy asserts that this would be the biggest occasion for Asian industries to showcase their manufacturing strength and quality products to the world, with new innovations, solutions and processes unveiled by various global and national companies for the Indian sub-continent and even parts of the Middle East and South East Asian regions.

 Automation makes a successful industrialisation of any country. Research and development (R&D) is the basic building block for rapid development and outstanding performance of any industry in any country. Automation is the only proven and best way to win in competition and achieve sustainable growth. Automation 2014 aims to bring the right people together, both suppliers and end users, for the greater benefit of industry, which alone can ensure economic growth.

To keep up with the competition, industrial manufacturers require resource-efficient production methods plus an ability to react swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the growing demands for customised products. Automation 2014 will showcase the production engineering and associated software solutions for industrial, process, factory, building & electric automation, instrumentation & control, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics, wireless & bus technology under one roof.

Automation 2014 will also display solutions and systems for industries automobile, oil & gas, power & energy management, chemicals/petrochemicals/fertilizer, OEMs, waste and waste water, metal industry, pharmaceuticals, white goods, plastics and food & beverages.

The Automation series of exhibitions has been exceeding its own standards, year after year. Automation 2013 experienced more than 775 national and international exhibitors from 20 countries. Automation 2014 will also organise knowledge based technical conferences, facilitating in-depth discussions with experts on various subjects like innovations in technology, Foundation Fieldbus technology, safety and security, tank automation and metering, etc.,  that are being planned during the event. Automation 2014 is the platform where one can find sustainable solutions for business profitability, optimisation of plans, cleaner and greener operations, safer and energy efficient.

"In India," observes Arokiaswamy, "only the Automation series of events offers the right platform to examine new foundations for progress, to improve existing products and processes." For learning about the wide range of innovations in science and technology that shape the future, a visit to the show would be the right thing to do, he adds.

(A flagship event of IED Communications, the 9th edition of Automation 2014 will be held from 15 to 18th October 2014 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai - the financial capital of India. For participating in Automation 2014, please contact Mr Arokiaswamy or Ms Jyoti by Tel: 22-22079567/22073370, or email: jyothi@iedcommunications.com)