Zebra brings global connected factory insights to Hannover Messe 2026

(See Zebra Technologies at Machine Building North, 13 May 2026, on stand 120)

Fundamental transformations around workforce skills, operations, productivity, and innovation are coming. Analysts say 80% of digital workers will use generative AI daily in the next few years, 40% of employees will be trained first by AI, and one-third of business decisions will be automated.

These changes coincide with ongoing industry challenges around supply chains, competition, buyer demand, skilled labour, and AI integration. And it's these trends and challenges that Zebra's senior executives and partners seek to address.

"While many in Silicon Valley chase the dream of human-like Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the immediate solution lies in a different approach: Augmented Collective Intelligence (ACI), a framework where humans and AI work in concert for the world's biggest workforce the frontline," said Stephan Pottel, Manufacturing Strategy Director EMEA, Zebra Technologies.

Zebra's The Rise of the Connected Factory industry report shows that over half of surveyed manufacturers in Europe expect AI to drive growth by 2029, and 92% plan to prioritise digital transformation. However, the Industry 5.0 maturity landscape is fragmented. A lack of agreement between C-Suite, IT, and OT leadership about strategic ownership, IT and OT alignment, and not knowing where to begin are all slowing progress inside and outside the four walls.

"The drive toward re-shoring, in part due to trade and geopolitical pressures, has further amplified the need for robust traceability solutions. As manufacturers relocate operations to domestic or allied regions, solutions are needed to maintain visibility across the supply chain, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements," said Pottel.

Executive leader perspectives

Zebra's global team of technology and manufacturing leaders will host several thought leadership moments during the event, covering topics including the data foundations for the connected factory, supply chain resiliency, and AI.

On Tuesday 21 April, Tom Bianculli, CTO, Zebra Technologies, and Andrew Moses, Founder and CEO, The Config Team will deliver a masterclass on "AI in the Moment." With competitive advantage won in milliseconds on the factory floor, leaders need to cut through the AI hype to understand how "AI in the moment" is advancing OT, combining on-device multimodal AI and 3D sensing to move beyond digital twins towards live, self-optimising models of factory operations, and cloud-based AI in combination with SAP to address EPR issues.

Zebra's global manufacturing strategy directors from EMEA, North America and APAC will discuss the data foundations, supply chains, and partners needed to create connected factories, during a LinkedIn Live discussion broadcast from the event.