On the first day of the Hannover Messe (April 20, 2026), the annual general meeting of the PROFIBUS User Organization e.V. (PNO) took place. In addition to the Executive Board’s report, the focus was on the elections for the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, which are held every three years.
The Board of Directors reported on the continued highly successful adoption of PI technologies based on node counts for the year 2025, current topics in technology development and organizational development, as well as completed and planned marketing activities. In addition, the financial figures for 2025 and the financial plan for 2026 were presented.
Particular emphasis was placed on the interaction between the various PI technologies as well as current developments. These included, among other things, an update on PROFINET and the new Version 2.5, an overview of IO-Link, and results from the security working groups and the APL/SPE project. Furthermore, progress on the omlox, SRCI, MTP, and NOA technologies was shared.
Changes to the bylaws and other association documents were also presented.
The overall picture clearly shows the PNO’s transformation from an organization focused on PROFIBUS and PROFINET to one dedicated to industrial communication and automation technologies. These technologies are increasingly complementary and form an important foundation for key future topics such as digitalization, Industry 4.0, and Industrial AI. In addition to technological advancements, the PNO is also consistently driving forward cross-cutting topics such as cybersecurity, vertical integration, safety, device integration, and information models. Furthermore, the organization is investing in services, online services, as well as software and testing solutions for its member companies.
As part of the regular elections, Xaver Schmidt (Siemens) was confirmed as Chairman of the Board, and the board members Prof. Dr. Felix Hackelöer (TH Köln/Gummersbach), Frank Moritz (Sick), and Harald Müller (Endress+Hauser) were confirmed in their positions.
New members of the Advisory Board are Dr. Thomas Bürger (Weidmüller), Kurt Hippler (Harting), and Peter Kamp (Sick). The following were reappointed: Raphael Dunker (SEW-Eurodrive), Klaus Erni (Emerson), Marco Henkel (Wago), Andreas Hennecke (Pepperl+Fuchs), Edwin van Hoeven (Yokogawa), Andreas Pfaff (Mitsubishi Electric), Frank Schewe (Phoenix Contact), Michael Straub (Festo), and Dr. Ulrich Viethen (Murrelektronik).
Special thanks go to the outgoing Advisory Board members Manfred Haberer (Sick) and Frank Welzel (Böllhoff) for their great commitment to the PNO and the further development of PI technologies.
The Board of Directors and the Advisory Board define the strategic direction and further development of PROFINET, IO-Link, and the other PI technologies. They are supported in this by the leaders of the nine committees, who are responsible for technology, quality assurance, and marketing issues and are also members of the Advisory Board.
Together with numerous experts in the working groups, this team will vigorously drive forward the further development and implementation of PI technologies as key enablers for digitalization, industrial transformation, and Industrial AI over the next three years.