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Charlotte Stonestreet
Managing Editor |
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Digital factory: The future begins today
30 April 2026
OPTIMISING EXISTING processes is one of the most powerful ways to make production and manufacturing more resource efficient. Even minor adjustments can deliver fast, measurable, and longlasting improvements – boosting efficiency without disrupting operations. This is the message Phoenix Contact will be highlighting at Smart Factory Expo 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham, 3-4 June 2026.

Increase productivity
When systems and process chains perform at their best, the results are undeniable: lower costs, stronger margins, and greater competitiveness. From production lines and thermal processes to food manufacturing and critical infrastructure, datadriven technologies provide complete transparency from sensor to cloud. Continuous condition monitoring, AI powered insights, and seamless OTIT integration help reduce downtime, improve quality, and maximise output – transforming operational efficiency into a tangible business advantage.
Datadriven sustainability
Data is the cornerstone of a sustainable factory. By capturing and analysing operational data, manufacturers gain deep visibility into energy use, resource consumption, and process performance. This transparency is the crucial first step toward sustainability. Only when resource use is fully understood can waste be reduced, processes optimised, and measurable sustainability goals achieved.
Cybersecurity for manufacturing systems
Protect your factory from the shop floor to the cloud with comprehensive cybersecurity, covering risk analysis, secure networks, and IEC 62443 compliant implementation.
Smart Factory Expo 2026
Visit Stand H110 and speak with company experts to discover how Phoenix Contact can help you build a more efficient, sustainable, and secure factory.
- Simple, economical automation
- Keep overcurrents firmly under control with a circuit breaker system
- IoT-capable energy measuring devices
- Compact Ex i signal conditioners with SIL 3 functional safety
- High-performance 5G cellular router for industrial applications
- Circuit design requires minimal cabinet space
- NearFi couplers for contactless power and data transmission
- Monitor up to three safety functions
- New high-performance controller from Phoenix Contact
- New benchmark in surge protection: Easy and safe installation and operation

















