More than 2000 visitors arrived from all over the world for the recent testXpo Forum for materials testing held in the Zwick Roell Group headquarters in Germany.

From 30 participating companies, they learned about the latest trends and developments in materials and component testing in a unique setting where information, people, and exhibits are arranged by industry sector.  Visitors could personally discuss their requirements directly with industry and application experts, and the event was supported by a program of lectures covering many interesting topics given by noted experts from industry and academia.

During the press conference, Chairman of the Zwick Roell Group, Dr. Jan Stefan Roell explained that “The end of 2007 saw Zwick achieve an ambitious goal first set in 2004: to be world market-leader in static testing systems. We are and will continue to be number one for static testing systems and are experiencing strong growth in dynamic testing systems. Our strong focus on our customers will help us to continue this growth”.  “This year’s target is a turnover of €145m, following the €131m achieved in 2007.  Last year’s continuous growth allows a high level of investment in new technologies, infrastructure and staffing order to secure growth in traditional markets and allow expansion into new sectors and regions. In addition we will be able to offer our customers much more flexibility and customization of products and faster product deliveries of standard products”.

To support its customers and provide an even wider range of services Zwick believes that it is unique amongst testing system manufacturers in setting up a new fatigue test laboratory with its own team of qualified application engineers. They carry out quasi-static, cyclic, dynamic impact, and fatigue tests to customers’ specification and are able to advise customers on a range of topics such as defining test methods, workflow, documentation and traceability of test results. 

Dr. Roell added “Being able to demonstrate our products, and hence our strengths, to customers gives us a major advantage. Global manufacturers are under constant pressure to reduce production costs and they are looking more and more to Zwick as a supplier of high technology products and support services. We are delighted to help them become more efficient with their testing processes.  Outdated and manual methods cost money, waste time, and increase the chance of quality problems.  Manufacturers who don’t respond to these challenges will quickly become uncompetitive and lose business.”

Zwick is constantly innovating with new products and applications launched each year. This year they showcased a revolutionary new design in spring testing, launched a new hardness tester, a 550J and 1630J drop weight tester, a completely new range of high precision load cells, and new software application modules including a bi-directional interface to SAP. Their range of specimen grips was expanded especially for yarns, threads, and ropes, and steel and stranded wire.

Customers wishing to discuss new opportunities and benefit from Zwick’s global network of technical sales and support operations should contact them at info@zwickroell.eu or www.zwick.com

Images: Views of the testXpo exhibition and the latest infrastructure investment at Zwick.