Nuremberg – The cemetery and memorial sector represents a significant source of revenue and employment for the stonemasonry trade. For all stonemasons active in this field, the “Place of Remembrance” section at Stone+tec 2026 offers the opportunity to experience current design trends and innovations in memorial accessories and sacred art first-hand. In Hall 10, leading companies are showcasing their products and services in this sector. These include, amongst others, Kunstgießerei Plein, Ernst Strassacker, Steinwerke Tringenstein, Barthelemy Bronze, Block +, Natursteinzentrum Kaufmann and Ca' D'ORO. In addition, Czech Trade is bringing a number of companies to Stone+tec for the first time.
For Kunstgießerei Plein GmbH from Speicher in Rhineland-Palatinate, Stone+tec will once again be the most important meeting point for the natural stone industry in 2026. “The fair gives us the opportunity to meet our customers personally and exchange professional expertise,” explains Senta Plein. Direct dialogue with long-standing partners, newly qualified journeymen, and recently established stonemasonry businesses is of great importance to the company – personal conversations cannot be replaced by digital forms of communication.
In the memorial accessories market, the art foundry Plein observes an increasing polarization. On the one hand, there is growing demand for cost-effective and low-maintenance solutions; on the other hand, interest in individual and highly personalized memorials is increasing at the same time. The company also observes that cemetery operators are increasingly viewing cemeteries as social and creatively adaptable spaces. According to Senta Plein, this development could lead to new design approaches and requirements in the future.
From Stone+tec, she primarily expects new inspiration as well as intensive exchange with customers and industry partners. Many ideas for innovations have emerged from discussions held at the fair in recent years. Especially in the field of high-quality materials, direct sensory perception also plays an important role. Bronze, much like natural stone, possesses a strong tactile and material presence that can only be conveyed to a limited extent through digital media. Models and artistic designs can only fully unfold their impact through direct experience.
Among other things, the company will present new applications of the material “nickel silver” in combination with other materials. In addition, numerous new models from different product segments will be introduced. Particular attention will once again be given to metal intarsias and intarsia lettering, which are increasingly becoming established on traditional upright memorials as well. Visitors will be able to explore the technical and design possibilities directly on site.
For Ernst Strassacker GmbH from Süßen in Baden-Württemberg, Stone+tec is the most important trade fair in the industry calendar and a central reference point for the company’s own product development, explains Sales Director Philipp Mühlberger. New collections and innovations are developed specifically for the fair and presented there for the first time. “The most important products for the coming years will be unveiled on the first day of the fair and will be available to order from that moment onward,” explains Philipp Mühlberger, who is also responsible for the company’s exhibition presence in Nuremberg. For Strassacker, Stone+tec is the most important platform for engaging with existing customers, potential new customers, and industry partners, as well as for discussing current developments in memorial design and cemetery culture.
For Stone+tec 2026, Strassacker will bring more than 100 product innovations to Nuremberg. Among the highlights is a new memorial site system designed to open up additional business opportunities for stonemasonry companies while also creating new forms of private mourning spaces within cemeteries. In addition, the art foundry Strassacker will present a newly developed form of memorial inscription as well as new designs for grave lights, ornaments, and sculpturally crafted figures. The innovations are aimed at traditional burial plots as well as urn graves and alternative forms of burial. As Philipp Mühlberger emphasizes, nearly every product category is receiving new design concepts and additions to the existing range.
About Stone+tec – International Competence Forum for Natural Stone and Stone Technology
Stone+tec Nuremberg – the international trade fair for natural stone and stone technology – will take place from June 17 to 20 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre. Stone+tec is aimed at all stone processors from the construction, cemetery, monument preservation, and design sectors, as well as developers, planners, and architects. In addition to the exhibition itself, a forum open to all visitors in Hall 11 will provide professional information as well as opportunities for personal networking and further training.
Text and research: Richard Watzke