Successful In-House Exhibition by Form+Test Seidner & Co GmbH

On April 22 and 23, 2026, the time had come again: Form+Test hosted an in-house exhibition at its main plant in Riedlingen, and over 160 customers attended. The newly redesigned hall now offers enough space so that, in addition to the extensive Form+Test product range in the showroom and the demonstrations (modulus of elasticity measurement, fiber-reinforced concrete testing with a video extensometer, or laser-based surface roughness measurement), the 12 external exhibitors were also able to present their latest technologies to customers. Notable examples include Schleibinger Geräte Teubert u. Greim GmbH, Ludwig Feuchtemessung, Lastrada, Proceq, Nexopart, Kniele, Infratest, and Contec Fiber AG. This time, the event was thematically divided into two parts—Day 1 “Building Materials” and Day 2 “Materials”—to address the visitor groups even more specifically.

High-profile speakers such as Prof. Dr.-Ing. Charlotte Thiel (OTH Regensburg) and Prof. em. Dr.-Ing. Rolf-Rainer Schulze (HS Frankfurt), Maximilian Ludwig, Marcus Drews (Proceq), and M.Sc. Schimkus (HTW Berlin), Wolfgang Bausch (Paul Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co.KG), Bernd Reicherter (Stihl), and M.Eng. SFI Georg Klink provided the often large audiences with deeper insights into a wide range of topics.

Notable topics included the increasing use of concrete recycling in practice, concrete quality control at the plant and on the construction site; updates to DIN EN 12390-4; non-destructive testing of building materials, “Laser beats sand” roughness measurement, as well as a spotlight on special mechanical testing applications, experimental and numerical investigations of welded components; life cycle management; and the design, evaluation, and application of tension anchors.

FTS Managing Partner Bernd Locher highlighted new trends in the automation of testing machines in the laboratory. The current widespread shortage of skilled workers in building materials laboratories can be addressed not only through digitalization (keyword: paperless laboratory) but also with automated sample feeding systems—at least in part. Of course, skilled personnel will not be replaced there, but they will be significantly supported. This topic will be of interest in the future to both concrete and cement customers.

Field trip to the Recycling Company Beller

The excursion to the Riedlingen-based company Beller was also well-received by the guests. This third-generation family business specializes exclusively in building materials recycling and adopts new technologies with great flexibility, relying on a high proportion of renewable energy as its foundation. A catchment area with a radius of up to 200 km and further planned new facilities speak to the success of this medium-sized company.

Of course, the guests’ culinary needs were not neglected. A hot-and-cold catering buffet featuring regional specialties (Maultaschen, Käsespätzle, including vegetarian options), along with non-alcoholic beverages during breaks and regional beer starting in the afternoon, ensured that customers and business partners were well-fed. At Form+Test, there is confidence that the productive concept of their in-house trade show will be held more frequently and regularly in the future.