Skip to main content

CONTROLS reaches 50th anniversary and launches new technology

Testing equipment specialist CONTROLS Group is celebrating its 50 years of supplying testing technology for the civil engineering industry. Controls was founded in October 1968 by Umberto Granelli who is still operative today. What started as a business pioneering the development of compression machines has developed into a leader in testing equipment for the Construction Industry. Pasquale Di Iorio, CONTROLS Group’s president and shareholder and CEO from 1996 to 2017 said, “We want to mark this 50th Anni
August 10, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
CONTROLS offers a wide array of testing solutions
Testing equipment specialist CONTROLS Group is celebrating its 50 years of supplying testing technology for the civil engineering industry.


2139 Controls was founded in October 1968 by Umberto Granelli who is still operative today. What started as a business pioneering the development of compression machines has developed into a leader in testing equipment for the Construction Industry.

Pasquale Di Iorio, CONTROLS Group’s president and shareholder and CEO from 1996 to 2017 said, “We want to mark this 50th Anniversary year by celebrating our achievements with all our stakeholders, all of whom we value extremely highly and are very proud of.”

The firm has continued to innovate, recently launching its new AUTOMAX Multitest system. This unit is a versatile and modular automatic computerised control console for concrete, cement and steel rebar testing.

The firm introduced its first AUTOMAX for standard compression and flexure tests in 2000. This was followed by later versions, the AUTOMAX E-Modulus and UTM models for elastic modulus determination and steel tensile tests. The new AUTOMAX Multitest provides increased versatility offering step-by-step flexibility to upgrade your system to cover all your future testing needs, including demanding displacement controlled tests on fibre reinforced concrete (FRC).

Up to four different testing frames can be controlled with accessories and dedicated software packages from the wide range available. The AUTOMAX Multitest system can perform many tests including compression, flexural, cyclic modulus of elasticity and Poisson Ratio, steel tensile tests and displacement controlled FRC tests. The interface and dedicated software packages can work with specific test profiles and are matched to all the main standards. This is said to make it easy to perform advanced tests, following step-by-step instructions with minimal training improving repeatability, reducing variability and delivering accurate results. The modular and flexible AUTOMAX Multitest is aimed at private and industrial laboratories performing quality certification testing. It will also suit duties with construction site laboratories looking for a high-performing system that can grow with them over time, allowing them to manage budgets and giving all the flexibility they could need. Meanwhile, the new IMACS2 is the
second generation Integrated Multi-Axis Control system. This benefits from the latest UTS Neutron universal testing software, which is said to be versatile and powerful. The package allows users the power to perform testing without limits or keep things simple for QC use.

In addition, IPC Global, the advanced pavements testing systems division of CONTROLS Group is said to be breaking boundaries with new hardware and software. This allows users to achieve high-performance testing. The IMACS2 and UTS Neutron systems have been developed from the proven IMACS and UTS software, providing increased capabilities.

The package is said to deliver high technical specifications, efficient control and wave-shape fidelity. Benefits include flexibility from the modular and expandable configurations, safety from the plug-and-play TEDs automatic tranducer recognition and ease of use with either remote PC or local control from the colour LCD display.

The UTS Nutron system is “As easy as you want or, as complex as you need”, according to the company. This has been developed from the proven UTS plaftform and facilitates needs that include basic, efficient, foolproof QC testing for laboratory staff; the ability to modify existing tests for laboratory managers; and the flexibility to program a wide array of testing needs from scratch.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Engine innovations will cut emissions and increase performance
    October 1, 2014
    A series of innovations in engine technology will cut emissions and deliver fuel savings for customers - Mike Woof writes The start of 2014 saw the commencement of the final phase of the current set of engine emissions requirements for Europe and North America. With the introduction of the first set of Tier 4 Final/ Stage IIV emissions regulations, new generation diesel engines used in construction will deliver cleaner operating performance than ever before. These highly efficient engines have been devel
  • Machine control innovations from Trimble
    November 8, 2016
    New advances in machine control systems are revolutionising the construction industry - Mike Woof writes Trimble is working on innovations for machine control to meet demand for highly sophisticated solutions, as well as for more simple equipment. Major developments in available technology will provide revolutionary advances in efficiency and productivity as a result.
  • Rapid adoption of GPS machine control
    February 10, 2012
    The high sophistication of GPS machine control systems has resulted in a fast pace of technological advancement. The three major players in the machine control sector, Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble have all made major gains in recent years. The sophistication of the latest systems can combine satellite position data from the GPS and GLONASS networks with information from total stations to provide precise, high speed machine operation. Further more the firms have also prepared themselves for the intro
  • Paving smarter with LeeBoy equipment
    April 20, 2018
    A highway widening project in the US state of New Hampshire is being assisted by the use of a gravity-fed asphalt paver. The widening work is being carried out as part of an upgrade for a 32km stretch of I-93, which was started eight years ago. The work is being carried out for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) on a section of the highway between Exits 1 and 5 from the Massachusetts Stateline to Manchester, NH. According to NHDOT, the project involves widening I-93 from two lanes in