Innovation always finds a way Amidst the majestic backdrop of the Andes, where the air is thin and the challenges are great, a lorry with a trailer – the legendary Expotainer M1 from Festo – is on the move. Developed in 1974 as a mobile trade fair, with 16 static and dynamic displays, air conditioning, a coffee machine, film screenings and the latest product innovations on board, its successful journey was just beginning. And the driver’s travels were always characterized by adventure and ingenuity. Take, for example, the customer tour in South America in the 1980s. The only route from Argentina to Chile leads over a 4,000-meter-high pass. After successfully crossing it, the Expotainer had to make its ways through a tunnel, which had a height restriction for vehicles of max. 3.80 meters. But the Expotainer is 3.95 meters high. A detour would mean an extra 3,000 kilometers and two to three weeks of lost time. What to do? The driver, who was driving one of the first trucks with air suspension, had an idea: he unloaded the trailers, emptied the system, transported the containers through the tunnel one by one, refilled the truck with air, and drove on. This is how many an Expotainer trip turned into a special story that not only showcased the range of services offered by Festo, but also demonstrated the passion and commitment of Festo employees. And this is still true to this day, whether with the modern Expotainer M18 or at a wide variety of trade fairs all over the world. Festo 100 years 8 – 9 Highlights 2025
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