The 44th International Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems (APMS), the flagship annual event of IFIP Working Group 5.7, was held in Kamakura, Japan, from 31 August to 4 September 2025.
Centred on the theme Cyber-Physical-Human Production Systems: Human–AI Collaboration and Beyond, the conference brought together more than 280 researchers, keynote speakers and honorary guests from around the world. The week featured six keynote addresses from industry leaders and academics, 26 special sessions alongside regular sessions, the publication of six Springer AICT volumes, and four special events including a “Meet the Editors” workshop supported by editors-in-chief of leading journals.
A highlight was the Marco Garetti Doctoral Workshop, which offered guidance to emerging researchers in production and production management, spanning the design, engineering and management of manufacturing, service and logistics systems.
The APMS community also marked the conclusion of Gregor von Cieminski’s leadership as Chair of IFIP WG 5.7. Serving from 2019 to 2025, he was the first industry leader to hold the role. His tenure saw the creation of a Vice-Chair position for Women in Production Management, the expansion of special interest groups, and the strengthening of membership across the field. Delegates expressed their gratitude for his significant contributions.
The community welcomed incoming Chair Prof David Romero (Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico) and Secretary & Communications Officer Prof Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden), along with the new team of Vice-Chairpersons who will lead WG 5.7 into its next phase.
Looking ahead, the 45th APMS Conference will be hosted by the University of Bergamo, Italy, from 13 to 17 September 2026, under the theme Shaping the Future of Industry through Sustainable, Data-Driven and Human-Centric Production Systems.