PLANTWORX Countdown event a huge success

PLANTWORX Countdown event a huge success – over 150 delegates attend and Lord Henley, Minister for Crime Prevention made guest appearance to talk security and Plant Theft.


PLANTWORX, the new biennial construction exhibition (14th – 16th May 2013, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire) hosted a Countdown event last week, alongside the CITS (Combined Industries Theft Solutions) sixth conference, which discussed the issues surrounding the growing problem of equipment, scrap metal and fuel theft.
The Countdown event was well attended with more than 150 industry professionals, who took time out of their very busy schedules to make the pilgrimage to Stoneleigh Park – the home of PLANTWORX.

The jam-packed agenda included the announcement of the new ‘Security Village’, the PLANTWORX Awards for Excellence, and many guest speakers including plant man Nick Johnson, who gave a very enlightening talk on ‘the best use of demonstration plots’, Kevin Howells, managing director Datatag, who updated the delegates on the CESAR anti-theft scheme and Lord Henley, the Minister of Crime Prevention, who covered a number of issues including ‘Plant Theft’ – and what companies can do to prevent it. Henley highlighted the cost of UK Plant Theft which is in the region of £650million per year.

DC Ian Elliott representing PANIU (Plant & Agricultural National Intelligence Unit) also gave a presentation; one of the key issues highlighted was the Plant Hire Industry and how plant hire companies could do more to protect clients hiring their machines.
Kevin Howells managing director Datatag commented on the launch of the Security Village, he said, “Unfortunately we live in a society and at a time when crime is on the increase. Professional and opportunistic thieves are targeting construction sites, utility and transport infrastructure, agriculture, stealing machines, equipment, metal and fuel. The work of CITS (Combined Industries Theft Solutions) continues to be as relevant today as it was 6 years ago at its first conference. Companies now need to take security as seriously as they do safety and have the proper processes and practices in place.
“The Plantworx Security Village is an innovative approach that will showcase a wide range of practical security products and services led by CESAR, the only official equipment security scheme”.
PLANTWORX exhibition director, Simon Frere-Cook said, “The Countdown event was a real success and the inspirational speakers provided food for thought for all that attended. The PLANTWORX team were overwhelmed with the support from the delegates for both PLANTWORX and the CITS conference. Every sector of our industry was represented – one of the guests commented that the ‘coming together and the sharing of information’ of so many industry movers and shakers was truly commendable and showed just how important PLANTWORX is to our industry. He also said that there was not another show in the calendar that could offer this support.”

Amongst the guests was Ian Brown, sales director Thwaites, a keen supporter of the show from its inception and also part of the working-group who helped shape the show, he said, “We are pleased to support Plantworx and look forward to exhibiting at this important event. This latest initiative on the show calendar will provide many opportunities for all those involved in the plant world to experience innovations in the industry. The support of the CEA and its associates across our industry is setting the scene for PLANTWORX and it looks set to be a key show.”
The latest PLANTWORX sales figures were also announced – the show is almost 60% sold out and nearly all of the digging demo area has been snapped up – with only 10% remaining. The show has 82 confirmed exhibitors, with more signing up daily, which include, Ammann, Auger Torque, Bomag, Case Construction, Engcon, Finning, Hyundai, JCB, Manitou, Merlo, Takeuchi, Terex, Thwaites, Volvo, and Wacker Neuson. Three stand booking were taken at the event, Trimark Europe, who have committed to a stand in the Security Village, ITS Trac Ltd, who have taken a static stand in the Dig Zone and the KHL Group of magazines who have secured their place in the Pavilion.
The very latest booking has come from Safety-Lifting Group, John Sutcliffe, technical sales adviser for the company said, “Safety-Lifting Group are looking forward to displaying our range of Fall Protection and Lifting & Materials Handling products at the first Plantworx show and think it will be an ideal platform to promote our products alongside some high profile exhibitors.”

Another feature of the Countdown event was a brief presentation from Rob Oliver, the CEA’s Chief Executive on the recent Construction Equipment showcase held at the Department for Business and Innovation (BIS) headquarters in London. The showcase, organised by the CEA, highlighted the importance of the UK construction equipment sector to our economy and how PLANTWORX is not just a biennial equipment showcase, but a recognised brand supporting UK construction equipment manufacturers through ‘high profile’ events throughout the year, and demonstrating the support from both individual companies, associations and Government representatives, including Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise, who attended the event.
Commenting on the BIS CEA showcase, Faiz Ahmad, VP Sales & Marketing EMEAR, Terex Construction stated “We appreciate the proactivity of the CEA in organizing the showcase to raise the profile of construction equipment manufacturing in UK, and for the opportunity to meet with Mark Prisk MP.  With over 2,000 team members in UK and a multi-million dollar sales revenue from our UK facilities, it is critically important that we seize every chance to discuss some of the challenges which we all face directly with Mr Prisk – namely recruiting, developing and sustaining talent in our sector of manufacturing when we compete with the renewable energy and oil & gas sectors; assistance in growing our export trade through improving customer access to finance; and formalizing investment.”

Andrew Barker Managing Director Taylor Construction Plant Ltd, said, “An excellent initiative by BIS together with a firm personal endorsement by the Minister, Mark Prisk, provided an ideal opportunity for UK Construction equipment manufacturers to showcase their commitment to innovation and quality within their products. The Minister was keen to engage on a range of issues that were affecting the smaller manufacturers, such as TCP, with discussion around R&D tax relief, looking at the opportunities for supply into the public sector, and understanding the clearly defined savings in running costs and carbon footprint available to end users of the innovative TCP Ecolite.
The CEA have clearly worked hard to provide the best opportunity possible to showcase a range of products from differing sectors and company sizes within the construction equipment manufacturing sector.”
In conclusion, the Countdown event was a huge success for all those involved, and the team would like to thank all that attended and for participating companies, who had ‘table exhibits’ supporting the event. Companies participating included, Enigma Vehicle Systems, Automatrics Ltd, MF Hydraulics Ltd, Box Telematics, Tracker Network UK Ltd, Ongarde CCTV, Sure-Track Europe Ltd and The Vapormatic Co Ltd.

With more than 100,000sqm of working machines, live demonstrations and site applications PLANTWORX will be the largest ‘working’ construction event in the UK. The inaugural event is aiming to attract at least 250 exhibiting companies and expecting more than 10,000 visitors. For more information, site plans, exhibitor list and PLANTWORX news – visit www.plantworx.co.uk.
 
Source: Plantworx News Room