The very first PLANTWORX construction equipment exhibition, which was held at Stoneleigh Park, from May 14 – 16 2013, had a total visitor attendance of 11,696 people. The number of unique visitors was 9,445 people – quite an impressive turn out for the inaugural event!
The PLANTWORX team was delighted with the high quality of those attending, with 60% of visitors pre-registering for the event. The British weather was true to form with torrential rain for the best part of two days – the sun did make an appearance on day three. The rain however, did not deter the serious buyers who were out in their droves!
PLANTWORX also made National TV on the morning of day one – with BBC Breakfast News broadcasting live from the show, interviewing PLANTWORX organiser Rob Oliver, CEO of the CEA, Alan Blake JCB’s CEO and Lee Andrews Finning’s business manager!
The event which was organised and promoted by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) has been hailed as the UK’s largest ‘working’ construction event spanning over 100,000 square metres and boasting 260 exhibitors from all areas of the construction equipment industry. Visitors to the show saw the very latest plant and machinery operating in ‘real’ site conditions. Many exhibitors, including Case, Finning, Volvo, JCB, Takeuchi and Ammann, encouraged visitors to try the kit first hand on one of the many busy digging demonstration areas.
Graham Black Editor of Earthmovers magazine was at the show for all 3-days he said, “ In 25-years of attending trade exhibitions Wednesday (15th May) was my most productive and enjoyable day EVER!”
“We do a lot of trade shows,” said Lyle Sibbald, Terex’s marketing manager, “and PLANTWORX was the climax of all shows. It was fantastic we’ve had lots of ‘bums on seats’ and an overwhelming response to our new products. Looking forward to 2015.”
Jeff Wright, former sales director of bodybuilders and trailer manufacturers Shawtrack (now with Montracon Trailers) reported an excellent show too, he said, “Very encouraging for us! We have sold 18 winches off stand, four sets of loading ramps and have had endless enquiries! We have also sold four bodies – it was well worth exhibiting and a very cost effective exercise – I am hoping to come back with Montracon in 2015.”
Jo Prigmore came all the way from New Zealand to visit the show (pictured)! She said, “I really enjoyed the visit. The amount of new machinery on show was very impressive. The demonstration areas were also excellent – it’s good to see machines in working conditions.”
Parkway Plant Sales visited the show a spokesman from the company said, “Very well done for a first attempt, the show went very well – despite the British weather!”
Chris Hendy, director Brendon Power Washers said, “Firstly – Well done, and big thank you for an excellent exhibition – And certainly from the people we spoke with both exhibitors and customers were very happy to see a demonstration exhibition back in the UK.”
The PLANTWORX team could fill pages with all the positive comments, tweets and messages received – and would like to thank all the support we have received from the trade media, exhibitors and of course visitors! Looking ahead to 2015 – put 2nd – 4th June in your diary – less than a year to go!
