Expert advice first hand

Besides the presentation of numerous innovative products and services, with its accompanying programme R+T in Stuttgart also offers visitors lots of opportunities to selectively expand their industry know-how.

At R+T 2018, the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection, visitors can expect different theme worlds which leave nothing to be desired in ten modern trade fair halls. The high-ranking accompanying programme of R+T in Stuttgart invites you to develop your know-how and expertise and exchange information and ideas directly with industry experts.

The R+T concept is tailored precisely to market requirements. At the exhibition stands of the over 900 exhibitors from 41 countries the visitors can discover numerous innovations on the following topics: building automation, energy efficiency, safety and comfort. “These trend themes are also reflected in the design of the accompanying programme”, reports Sebastian Schmid, Department Director of Technology Fairs and Exhibitions. From 27 February to 3 March 2018 new elements will be added in addition to the already established special shows and forums. “In doing so we are developing advanced platforms in cooperation with our partners where visitors can obtain information entirely according to their needs”, states Sebastian Schmid.

The hall concept has been optimised for the upcoming leading world trade fair, whereby the “Outdoor. Ambience. Living.” area in the Oskar Lapp Hall (Hall 6) has enough space to meet the huge demand for products from the sun and weather protection area for this segment. Here you can find the “mecca” of the hotel and gastronomy sector from 2018, which is completed with a special show on this trend topic in the Rothauspark green centre. The products will be shown from their best side in the application. “At the world’s leading trade fair the visitors can obtain a comprehensive overview of how the requirements of the hotel and gastronomy sector can be taken into account with innovative products: They extend and optimise the open-air season by providing reliable sun, wind and rain protection”, explains Sebastian Schmid. Optional accessories such as light sources, umbrella heaters, WLAN routers and lots more offer a high degree of comfort and greater convenience. Besides an attractive design and technical sophistication, the systems impress with their flexibility which allows them to be adapted to each installation situation.

At the world’s leading trade fair visitors can also plan for every requirement in the area of the smart home: At the R+T Smart Home Forum several presentations and podium discussions are taking place at the stand of the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (BVRS) at which architects, burglary experts, end consumers as well as specialists exchange information and ideas on the topic. The emphasis is on something different each day of the trade fair so that the sub-areas energy efficiency, comfort, burglary protection and interface standards are also addressed in as much detail as sales and the installation of the solutions.

The International Congress – Automatic Doors takes place for the first time which is supported by national and international door associations. The format has already made a name for itself at other trade fairs all over the world. Sebastian Schmid: “This means that the focus is on special transnational topics that are addressed within the framework of discussion panels and presentations.”

For R+T 2018 the team of the world’s leading trade fair is delighted to once again be able to offer visitors proven programme elements. This includes, for example, the Doors and Gates Forum, at which several associations and institutions such as BVT (National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers), ift Rosenheim and for the first time also the Technical Association for Door Automation (FTA) will provide information about the latest trends and developments in doors and gates over four days. Topics such as revised standards, CE marking of doors and gates, the safe operation of barriers or the effects of Industry 4.0 on the doors and gates industry are dealt with here. The matchmaking event which was initiated together with Handwerk International Baden-Württemberg and supports the establishment of contact among interested companies, also takes place again.

The topic of the special show of ift Rosenheim at R+T 2018 in Stuttgart is “Comfort + Safety” where the focus is on automatic doors and gates. Sebastian Schmid: “Here the presentation focuses on safety and application-oriented quality features of doors, gates, windows and shading.” With the aid of product exhibits, in a presentation forum and at promotional zones visitors can find out how design features specifically affect the quality and safety of doors and gates and how they depend on the application. The workshop of the ES-SO (European Solar Shading Organisation) will address the topic “Intelligent sun protection as an innovative concept for energy efficiency and living comfort of buildings”. “Technical questions are discussed daily in the RS Update, where keynote speakers from the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection are available for discussions”, reports Sebastian Schmid.

R+T Worldwide provides an insight into R+T activities outside Germany: Industry experts and international professional associations will present the satellite trade fairs of R+T and the respective foreign market, and will be available to answer questions from interested exhibitors and visitors. In 2018 the expert knowledge can also be demonstrated again from a practical side: “At the battle of the craftsmen the heat is on to find the best times for the installation of awnings, roller shutters, etc.”, adds Sebastian Schmid. The special show “Young Talents 2018” will show visitors to R+T selected pieces of work from talented young craftsmen. The “Professional sun protection cleaning” presentation can also be attended and is delivered by the VDS (Association of German Sun Protection Cleaners).

The R+T Innovation Prize is a permanent fixture in the accompanying programme of the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection. “Innovative and forward-looking products are awarded in nine categories”, explains Sebastian Schmid. Starting with the product groups roller shutters, awnings, gathering blinds / Roman blinds, internal sun protection systems, technical textiles, doors/gates and special solutions through to drives and control systems, additional special prizes will be awarded for design, energy efficiency, craftsmanship and talented young craftsmen. The Innovation Prize will be awarded for the tenth time by Messe Stuttgart, the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (BVRS), the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers (BVT) and the Industrial Association of Technical Textiles, Roller Shutters and Sun Protection.

The award ceremony will take place one day before the commencement of the trade fair.

For over 50 years, companies have been presenting their innovations and demonstrating their solutions for the central topics in the industry at R+T, the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems. During the trade fair or at one of the numerous evening events, R+T provides an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with colleagues, and is the ideal platform for intensive specialist discussions.

Several specialist forums and networking events ensure that contacts are forged and give participants new impetus for their daily work. As the world’s leading trade fair, R+T is also a meeting point for the industry, a trend barometer and an innovation platform.

With the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (BVRS), the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers (BVT) and the Industrial Association for Technical Textiles, Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (ITRS), R+T can count on the support of strong partners who ensure market orientation. A large number of associations and institutions, e.g. the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO) and ift Rosenheim, are involved in R+T and actively help to shape the accompanying programme.

888 exhibitors (2012: 816) from all corners of the world presented their products and services in Stuttgart in 2015. In addition to the major exhibitor countries, which include Italy, France and the Netherlands, the trade fair also recorded growth in 2015 from countries who were not previously represented at R+T – for example Ireland, Latvia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Romania. The 59,057 visitors also came from all over the world: They travelled from 131 countries. A total of 54 percent of the visitors came from abroad, 79 percent of whom came from Europe. On average they spent two days discovering the innovations and trends at R+T in detail.