28.01.2011

CEA to go ahead with show

The UK’s Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has decided to go ahead with its plans to organise a new biennial equipment show which it is naming Plantworx.

The show will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 14th, 15th and 16th May 2013. The key aim is to promote site equipment demonstrations along the lines of the original SED which featured a wide range of earthmoving equipment digging and demonstrating. Key sectors will include: Groundworks/Earthmoving, Civil Engineering, Compaction, Cutting and demolition.
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CEA vice president Nick Ground and CEO Rob Oliver introducing the new show

CEA chief executive Rob Oliver said: “Plantworx is the CEA’s response to our members’ enthusiasm for a new event which will give them a solid return for their marketing investment. By organising it as a trade show for the industry, by the industry we plan to be responsive to both exhibitor and visitor requirements. This is why we are consulting widely amongst the construction community on what they want to see in the show. This is an exciting project for us, all the more so as such a large number of leading companies have already pledged their support.”
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The CPA is supporting the event and Colin Wood, its chief executive said: “I welcome the initiative to start a trade event for the industry. We will be working with the CEA to ensure that it is a show that provides maximum interest for the plant hire sector”.

Vertikal Comment

When SED finally closed its doors it left the UK without a major event for general construction and earthmoving equipment. The principal manufacturers such as JCB have been keen for some time to go back to an event that allowed proper digging demonstrations and that catered to the key buyers and users of such equipment rather than an ever increasing volume of disinterested visitors on a day out.

In a way it follows the trend that is growing across Europe for more targeted, specialist, lower cost, local events that only attract those with serious interest.

In the UK examples include the LAMMA show for agricultural equipment which took over from the glitzier -higher cost Royal show at Stoneleigh and Smithfield in London as the key venue for farm equipment. APF for arborists and Vertikal Days which specialises in mobile lifting and access equipment at Haydock Park.

If this event follows that same trend for the general equipment/earthmoving market there may well be a case for some of the specialist shows to seek a venue where they can be held in close proximity to each other, for the benefit of those visitors that have an interest in specialist equipment as well general plant.

Although care would have to be taken to avoid the whole thing morphing back into an event like SED became – trying to be all things to all people rather than focusing on what the exhibitors and visitors really want.