In short
productronica is about how electronics get made: placement, soldering, inspection and test. Its visitors run production lines and want to see throughput and yield on real boards. A stand needs running equipment, clear figures and process engineers who can talk through a problem line. Start a custom stand about 9–12 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Munich, every two years in Munich, in odd years.
- The audience is mostly production managers.
- A running line or cell.
- Throughput and yield figures.
- Plan a custom stand about 9–12 months before the show.
productronica for exhibitors
It alternates years with electronica, its component-focused sister fair. Equipment makers show complete lines, and software for traceability and factory data increasingly sits alongside the machines.
| productronica | |
|---|---|
| City | Munich |
| Venue | Messe München |
| Sector | Electronics manufacturing |
| Cycle | Every two years in Munich, in odd years |
| Main stand activity | Working machinery |
| Custom stand lead time | 9–12 months |
Who you are designing for
Production managers, process engineers, contract manufacturers and quality staff.
What matters most on a productronica stand:
- A running line or cell.
- Throughput and yield figures.
- Process engineers on the stand.
- Factory software with real data.
Layouts for working machinery, by stand type
Most productronica exhibitors build around working machinery. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | One machine side-on to the aisle so its working side is visible, with a screen showing it in use. |
| Island | 4 | A hero machine centred with at least 1.5 m of walk-around space, demo times on a screen and meetings to one side or upstairs. |
Stand ideas for productronica
- A live inspection camera on a big screen.
- A defect wall showing what the machine catches.
- A line-balancing table for visitors' own products.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Precision machines need careful handling, clean power and compressed air. Plan calibration time after delivery.
Allow about 9–12 months for a custom stand. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at productronica
Moving and running production equipment takes the budget. Technicians and spare parts run for the whole fair, so include them.
Mistakes we see at productronica
- Machines switched off on a show about production.
- No figures next to the equipment.
An example productronica brief
A 9 × 6 m stand with a working pick-and-place line, an inspection screen, a benchmark of a real board and two technical tables.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your productronica layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about working machinery into an editable 3D stand for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01How is productronica different from electronica?
productronica covers making electronics. [electronica](/guides/electronica-stand-design) covers the components themselves.
02When is it held?
Every two years in Munich, in odd years. Check the organiser's dates.
03How early should I start designing a productronica stand?
For a custom stand, about 9–12 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my productronica stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, working machinery area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
