Constructionshows
There was a positive response to the new Amsterdam venue for the APEX 2014 access equipment exhibition held on 24 – 26 June, with good visitor numbers and a busy feel to the event.
More than 4400 people attended the eighth edition of the APEX exhibition – which was held on 24-26 June – with the numbers rising to 5500 when visitors to the neighbouring International Rental Exhibition (IRE) are included. Visitors registered for each show had free access to both shows.
Organised by BV Industrial Promotions International from Goor, the Netherlands, APEX 2014 is the world’s largest dedicated access show, with more than 100 manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world attending.
The show took place with a backdrop of increased investment by rental companies, and this was evident in the number of deals sealed during the show. Exhibitors including Palfinger, Omme Lift, Ruthmann all reporting significant orders.
Attendees included CEO’s and senior figures from the European and worldwide rental sector, including delegates attending the European Rental Association’s annual convention. Representatives from Loxam, Cramo, Ramirent, United Rentals, Hewden, HSS and many more attended the show.
Snorkel’s CEO, Darren Kell, said, “APEX has exceeded all expectations…Snorkel had a busy three days.”
Stephan Kulawik, Managing Director at Palfinger Platforms, said, “During the exhibition we sold a lot of new machines to existing and new customers.” He added that the Amsterdam location had been a success; “It is a popular city, with good infrastructure and the exhibition centre is bigger.”
The Danish company Omme Lift attended APEX this year to launch a new 42m tracked boom, the Omme Lift 4200 RBDJ. Harry Lorentsen, Managing Director of Omme Lift, said, “For us APEX 2014 was a great show. The new 4200 received a lot of positive feedback and we took several orders for the machine, which we will begin delivering this autumn. APEX was different from other EU-shows in the last couple of years where there was a lot of positivity at the events, but afterwards not enough of it converted into actual interest in our products. However at APEX, we sold machines and received a lot of requests for machine demonstrations afterwards.”
Anita Maj Klitgaard, Marketing Manager at Time Export, said, “We are very pleased with the result of this exhibition. Despite fewer visitors on the first day, we have made good contact with interesting new companies. Wednesday and Thursday were very busy and successful days for us. We are also happy with the new location; the outside area is a nice and open place to exhibit the equipment.”
Rolf Kulawik, Managing Director of Ruthmann, said, “The APEX trade show in Amsterdam has just ended but we can already say that it was a resounding success as enthusiastic visitors from all over the world placed orders for STEIGER models in all categories. Many new contacts were established and we also had the opportunity to nurture our existing customer base. Our HEIGHT performance-STEIGER T 400 celebrated its world premiere at this year’s APEX. This 2-axle, truck-mounted aerial work platform is equipped with a 40m working height and 31m lateral reach. As with the other siblings in this series – the T 380, T 460, T 540, T 630 and the T 720 – the most beneficial feature of the T 400 is the extraordinary length of the upper boom with its movable jib (RÜSSEL). The sales launch of our next HEIGHT performance-model – the STEIGER T 480 – was a huge success as several sales agreements were finalized at APEX.”
Sibel AYGÜL of ELS Makine, a first time exhibitor from Turkey, said, “APEX 2014 was a really well organised event and we had lots of professional visitors at our booth. Our target is to be among the global market leaders in the industry. Therefore, it was a great opportunity for us to introduce our company to the global market.”
Richard Puglia, JLG business development and marketing director EAME, said, “It’s been a very positive show and our customers have been very enthusiastic. There is optimism in the market and a lot of interest.”
Independent Parts Specialists (IPS) exhibited at APEX 2014 in order to further expand its global presence. Richard Tindale, Sales & Marketing Director for IAPS Group, which owns IPS, explained, “APEX is the global market place for the powered access industry and was a great success for us. We met with a lot of well-established rental companies and dealers from all corners of the globe, who are very interested in our unique Parts Partner proposition.” IPS will launch a new e-commerce website for convenient online parts ordering on 1st August 2014, which will include quick search capabilities via manufacturer, part type and specific machine model; as well as the option for instant payment via debit/credit card, or setting up an account.
The show, which is supported by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access International magazine, is scheduled to return to Amsterdam in 2017, although the exact timing is still to be confirmed.
APEX/IRE fun-run raises € 3500 for charity
More than 50 runners raised € 3500 for the CliniClowns charity in the 5km fun-run held during the APEX and IRE exhibitions in Amsterdam last week. CliniClowns is an organisation that provides entertainment to children in hospital. An ambassador for the charity, Gepco van Bokhost, was handed the cheque by Tony Kenter, managing director of IPI, the exhibition organiser, on the final day of the exhibitions. Mr van Bokhorst said the funds would make an enormous contribution to the organisation’s activities in hospitals all over the Netherlands. “We are very grateful for your support. Our entertainers are professional and they have an enormously positive impact on the children they see.”US. Sponsors were: Riwal (incl. mr. Ledeboer), JLG, PG Trionic, IPAF and his members, Bronto, IPI, KHL and RAI.
Sponsors of the event included JLG, Riwal (including Mr. Ledeboer), IPAF and its members, KHL, Bronto Skylift, the RAI Exhibition Centre, PG Trionic and IPI. IPI covered all the cost of the organisation of the event and made a further donation to the charity.
