OK, so my report from Pack Expo talked about Ethernet networking popular with North American packaging machine manufacturers. Today, I’m sitting in the conference room with Mike Bryant giving an update on both North American and worldwide status of Profibus International—including Profibus, ProfiNet, ProfiEnergy and ProfiSafe.

The bottom line is that the Profi organization is growing both in North America and worldwide. PI NA added 35 new members so far this year. Total membership is at an all-time high. A couple of numbers: 3,000,000 Profinet nodes and 39,200,000 Profibus nodes implemented. The North American organization has conducted many seminars and training sessions this year–as always. (Update: as I’m writing Carl Henning points out a 43% growth rate in Profinet nodes.)

I have missed the last two of these general assembly meetings, but attendance at this one is as high and as energized as any I’ve attended. Much of the momentum of Profinet growth is due to automotive industry acceptance. Tomorrow’s highlights include keynotes from engineers from VW and Chrysler who will discuss their networking strategies. I’m looking forward to those.

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