ConstructionWorX DIGITAL - Autumn 2023

THE VOICE OF THE UK CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY

THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL MAGAZINE OF THE CEA

AUTUMN 2023

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IGIT AL ON L ON I N E LY

PLANTWORX ’23 – IN DEPTH REPORTS – PLUS THE LAUNCH OF FUTUREWORX 2024!

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SECTOR REPORT – THE SIZE AND CHALLENGES OF OUR SECTOR

POWERING SUSTAINABILITY

– CSR VS ESG VS SUSTAINABILITY EXPLAINED

Construction Worx is an official partner publication for PLANTWORX

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL MAGAZINE OF THE CEA

AUTUMN 2023

WHAT'S INSIDE!

08 IN DEPTH REPORTS, Plus the launch of Futureworx 2024!

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ION STRUCTREPORT ’S CON THE UKMENT SECTOR EQUIP 2023 URES

D FIG CTS AN 2022 FA REVENUE

E T SHAR EXPOR DUCTION OF PRO >60%

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EN PLOYM

MENT INVEST pa >£250m

Powering Sustainability

GVA n 2022 >£2.5b n 2018 >£2.3b

TOTAL 2022 >£15bn 2018 >£13bn 2013 >£11bn

EM TOTAL 0 >44,00

Sector Report

ER OF NUMB >1,500

IN R&D

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Dale’s Diary

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Latest from Off Highway Research

ANIES COMP

Dale Camsell on the UKCA mark’s flexible timetable

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CTI PRODU CHINE 2 UK MA 0 units 202 8 >68,50 0 units 201 >60,00

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ZF Services UK The lowdown on a new CEA member company

CEA Members’ Forum Bookings open for 10th November gathering

Chinese market dip skews world picture

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Tech-Driven Transformation Peter Haddock reports from the South-West

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

From the Chief Executive

Suneeta Johal Chief Executive

Construction Equipment Association

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Construction Worx. It has been some time since our last issue, but we are delighted to be back with exciting updates.

We are pleased to report that Plantworx was a tremendous success, and we provide a comprehensive report in this magazine, with contributions from Earthmovers Magazine’s, Nick Drew. Additionally, the Plantworx Innovation Awards were a resounding success, with some highly deserving winners we will highlight later in this issue.

In this edition, you can look forward to the latest regulatory report by Senior Technical Consultant Dale Camsell, market trends shared

by CEA Data Analyst Paul Lyons, and a special feature on the Global Market by our colleague Chris Sleight, MD of Off Highway Research. We are also pleased to announce the launch of the 2023 Construction Equipment Sector report, authored by Knibb Gormezano and partners, offering very positive insights.

Our correspondent Peter Haddock takes you on a tour of the Leica Geosystems technology trail in the West Country. He also interviews Caterpillar's Sam Mottram and Alison Ward

about career opportunities within the Caterpillar organisation. Peter shares his experience from the Molson Group Open Day, which was indeed a fabulous event.

KGP's Alex Woodrow guides us through the complex world of sustainability, CSR, and ESG in the Commercial Vehicle and NRMM sectors.

Don't miss our upcoming CEA Members' Forum on Friday, 10th November, at Volvo Group UK in Warwick, with a networking dinner the evening before. We look forward to welcoming many members. More details can be found in this issue. We do hope you can join us.

There is so much more to discover in this extensive issue, and we hope you thoroughly enjoy reading it and we look forward to your feedback.

Kind regards Suneeta Johal CEO, Construction Equipment Association

THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL MAGAZINE OF THE CEA

The Construction Equipment Association (also trading as CEA) Unit 19 Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2NJ. UK. T: +44 (0)20 8253 4502 E: info@thecea.org.uk W: www.thecea.org.uk PUBLISHER – Enigma Creative Unit 19 Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2NJ. UK. W: www.enigmacreative.co.uk

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Louise Carney E: louise@louise-carney.co.uk REPORTER AT LARGE Peter Haddock E: content@contentwithmedia.com ADVERTISING SALES Angela Spink E: angela.spink@thecea.org.uk Nicky Hunt E: nicky.hunt@plantworx.co.uk EDITORIAL SUPPORT Rob Oliver MBE E: rob.oliver@thecea.org.uk

The Construction Equipment Association (also trading as CEA) is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04930967. VAT number 243 3858 54.

Registered Office: Unit 19 Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, England, DL6 2NJ. UK. © 2023 The Construction Equipment Association. Although care has been taken in preparing the information supplied in this publication, the CEA does not and cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising. Any views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the CEA.

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

Key Insights from the UK Construction Equipment Sector Report 2023 CTION ONSTRUOR REPORT C ’S K THE U MENT SECT EQUIP 2023 S

IGURE

ND F CTS A 2022 FA REVENUE TOTAL 2022 >£15bn 2018 >£13bn 2013 >£11bn

GVA 22 bn 20 >£2.5 18 bn 20 >£2.3

ARE RT SH TION EXPO ODUC OF PR >60%

MENT EMPLOY TOTAL 00 >44,0

ING RANK WORLD ally ob 5th Gl pe ro 1st Eu

N UCTIO

OD HINE PR UK MAC units 2022 00 >68,5 units 2018 00 >60,0

&

ES

MPANI

R OF CO

NUMBE 0 >1,50

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The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has released the fourth edition of its UK Construction Equipment Sector report for 2023. The report is authored

by Knibb Gormezano and partners, and contains additional information from Off Highway Research.

Despite challenges including Brexit, COVID, and supply chain constraints, the sector has shown strong resilience, achieving recordbreaking revenues, production volumes, and employment figures. &

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

Key highlights from the report: 1. Total Revenue: The sector has seen a substantial growth in its total revenue, which has increased to over £15 billion in 2021/2022, from £13 billion in 2018.

2. Total Employment: Employment in the sector rose 10% from 40,000 to over 44,000 in the same period.

3. Investment in R&D: There is a significant annual investment in Research and Development, amounting to £250 million.

4. Gross Value Added (GVA): GVA for the sector has increased from £2.3 billion in 2018 to £2.5 billion in 2022.

5. World Ranking in Machines: The UK construction equipment sector ranks 5th globally and 1st in Europe by unit sales.

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UK Construction Equipment Sector Report 2023: Remarkable resilience and growth amid significant challenges The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) is proud to present its latest sector report on the UK construction equipment industry, the first since 2019, a period marked by significant changes such as the UK's departure from the EU and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chief Executive of the CEA, Suneeta Johal, applauded the industry's response to these trials: "Our industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in navigating these challenges, while concurrently grappling with energy, labour, and supply chain related issues. Amid these hurdles, the industry has managed to maintain robust growth throughout the last reporting period in 2021 and into 2022."

UK Construction Equipment Industry: A tale of growth and resilience According to the report, the UK's construction equipment industry has established itself as a global leader. Based on the machines evaluated in the study, the UK industry ranks fifth globally and is the premier leader in Europe by unit sales. Over 1,500 companies, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, dealers, and other stakeholders, constitute the sector.

In a testament to the industry's robustness and adaptability, the total revenue experienced a surge to over £15 billion in 2021/2022, up from £13 billion in 2018.

ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

The employment figures also showed a positive trend, with a 10% rise from 40,000 to over 44,000, while Gross Value Added (GVA) moved from £2.3 billion to £2.5 billion.

in the sale of core equipment from 1.17 million units in 2018 to 1.2 million units in 2022, awarding the UK with over a 5% unit share of production. This shows the UK's crucial role in the global construction equipment industry.

Navigating through a complex landscape: Key trends and challenges in 2023

Brexit, COVID-19 and the UK Construction Equipment Sector's global position

The construction industry in 2023 is shaped by three significant factors: sustainability, digitalization, and skills development. Other elements such as safety, security, competitiveness, and the formation of strategic partnerships will also wield an impact on all stakeholders. Consequently, the business environment in the construction industry is becoming increasingly complex, demanding meticulous thought and proactive measures to address these various issues effectively.

Despite Brexit and the impacts of COVID-19, the UK construction equipment sector has remained a significant net exporter. In 2022, the top five export destinations (the United States, Irish Republic, Germany, France, and Australia) accounted for approximately 51% of total exports, showing an increase from 48% in 2018.

Digitalisation will act as the cornerstone of improvements, enabling streamlined processes and enhanced efficiency. To ensure the competitiveness of the construction sector, strong partnerships, innovative technologies, and continuous improvement in operational practices will be essential.

Global Construction Equipment Sales: An impressive performance Global sales data from Off-Highway Research indicates a global increase

Decarbonisation and the Supply Chain: Investing in the future The transition to a low-carbon future presents both challenges and opportunities. The UK construction equipment sector needs to invest significantly in developing new capabilities and refining processes.

Notably, the areas of powertrain technology, hydraulics, telematics, and human-machine interface technologies are essential for achieving this green transition.

The CEA's latest sector report was researched and authored by Knibb Gormezano and Partners, with additional information supplied by OffHighway Research.

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Plantworx 2023 shines bright: A ray of sunshine marks the last show at Peterborough Arena While Plantworx 2023 in June may now feel like a distant memory, this is the first issue of Construction Worx since that incredible event. We simply couldn’t resist the chance to look back on what was truly a monumental occasion: Plantworx 2023 kicked off and concluded with a welcome twist. From its very first show in 2013, every single show had been blighted by incessant rainfall and biblical conditions.

However, this time around, the event started and ended with wall-to-wall sunshine.

As the doors opened on Plantworx 2023 (13th – 15th June, East of England Arena Peterborough), attendees were greeted with a scorching hot and sunny spectacle, completely uncharacteristic of previous shows. The unexpected weather conditions added an extra layer of excitement to the event, and the ice-cream van was doing a roaring trade!

Suneeta Johal, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, commented on the event, “As my first Plantworx event as CEO, I was truly impressed by the innovative technology showcased, the industry recognition through our innovation awards, and the significant deals made. I also received really good feedback from exhibitors about the quality of the organisation and ops – which is all down to our excellent operational team, headed up by Simon Frere-Cook and Stuart Favill.”

Suneeta added, “Peterborough gifted us with great weather and an electrifying atmosphere for my first Plantworx experience. Now, it’s time to set our sights on Plantworx 2025 and our next exciting venue, which we are actively seeking and we are hoping to

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update our loyal exhibitors and visitors in the coming months.”

The show was declared a resounding success as attendees, undeterred by the sweltering conditions, eagerly entered the East of England Arena in Peterborough. They were greeted with a wide array of state-of-the-art machinery and innovative products on display. The Plantworx team was thrilled to announce that over the course of the three-day event, the footfall was circa 14,000 and of those 10,000 were unique visitors who basked in the scorching weather to explore the offerings.

The show was supported by National Highways and Costain, who were onsite throughout the whole event to talk to exhibitors and also Operators, attending the event. The National Highways and Costain team shared the Partners Lounge with several other organisations, including AMPS - Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Power Systems and ancillary equipment and overseas organisations including, ANMOPYC, bauma 2025, bauma CONEXPO INDIA, BICES 2023 Show, British Embassy Ulaanbaatar, CII – EXCON, Conexpo - CON / AGG, M & T Expo and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. In addition, a large Mongolian delegation flew into the show to do business with UK exhibitors – such is the far reach of the show.

The progress in making construction machinery run on electricity is happening very fast. This showed at Plantworx 2023, where lots of these new electric machines were on display.

Along with these new machines, there were also renewable energy solutions being shown. Companies like MHM Group were there, demonstrating how they’re using renewable energy in construction.

This shows that the industry is really starting to think about how it can be more green and sustainable.

With over 300 exhibitors (including 100 new exhibitors), Plantworx 2023 received immense praise from participants and attendees alike, with an abundance of positive feedback flooding in through phone calls, emails, and various social media platforms. The Plantworx team received numerous comments of appreciation and the collective sentiment expressed a genuine and heart-warming satisfaction surrounding the event.

One particular visitor on arrival went to the organisers’ office, he had recently suffered from heart issues, and a Plantworx steward kindly escorted him around the show in an electric buggy! He came back into the office and he said that, after visiting the show for many years, he had never experienced anything like it and was bowled over, he also said it was the most organised show he has ever been to and the Plantworx ops team, should be proud! High praise indeed.

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Plantworx exhibitors were equally as complimentary of the show – many exhibitors reported that the show had been their best one yet (Neil Williams, Leica Geosystems, Part of Hexagon) and that the visitors who visited the company’s stand were serious buyers.

Mecalac also had a very good event, Allison Sedgwick, Marketing Manager said, “Plantworx 2023 was a fantastic show for us with a really positive vibe. After a four-year wait we all couldn’t wait to get back to the show that never fails to deliver a platform for our dealers to sell from. The sun shone for us in many ways with us also getting an innovation award for our revolutionary REVOTRUCK site dumper.”

Xerotech made its show debut and benefitted from the coolness of the inside arena. Jesse Morris, Head of Marketing Xerotech commented on the show, “Well what a show Plantworx has been with live demos, the latest in technology and industry awards. It was a successful event and an incredible experience Even by our high standards, the show was truly outstanding! We also scooped a Special Recognition Award for Best Use of Technology for our Hibernium battery pack.

The interest in electrification with visitors to our booth has been exceptional with visitors seeking to capitalise on the battery technology over its diesel counterparts. Judging by this event, we are excited by what the future holds for the construction industry.”

Xwatch Safety Solutions also made its show debut showcasing its XW series of safety solutions, including height, slew, and RCI (rated capacity indicator) systems. The company also used the show to launch its 3D Collision Avoidance System in collaboration with Leica Geosystems, which can also be utilised for underground utilities. Xwatch Sales and Operations Director, Dan Leaney reported an excellent show

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with a huge interest in the products – and if the handshakes and verbal agreements come to fruition – the team would have secured in excess of £1million in orders.

SANY reported an ‘overwhelming response’ at Plantworx 2023. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response and success we achieved at Plantworx 2023,” said Leigh Harris, business development director at SANY UK. “The exhibition provided an invaluable opportunity for us to engage with industry leaders, establish new partnerships, and demonstrate the innovation and excellence that defines our brand.

The positive feedback we received regarding our new range of wheel loaders has further reinforced our commitment to delivering top-quality construction machinery to our customers.”

SANY used the event to showcase its latest range of wheel loaders – the SW305 and SW405 – which were said to have garnered ‘significant attention’ over the three days.

Mick Dysart, Managing Director EXVAC Equipment Sales Ltd was delighted with the event. He said “Plantworx 2023 provided the UK launchpad for the EXVAC suction excavator. Having reviewed the significant number of sales and ‘hot’ leads generated at the show, it is clear that Plantworx 2023 has delivered what we had hoped to achieve, and more. Footfall was good and, more importantly, there was a high proportion of decision-makers among the visitors.

The scale of our presence at Plantworx 2023, a 24m2 stand with the scope to deliver live EXVAC demonstrations, represented a significant investment, both in time and financially. The Plantworx 2023 team was extremely supportive in guiding us through the inevitable stresses and strains leading up to the show.

If you have an innovative and distinctive product like the EXVAC suction excavator, I would highly recommend including future Plantworx shows in your marketing plans.”

The Liugong machinery stand was a hive of activity and there was a lot of interest in the new 16.5kW 9027F-E electric machine. The company sold five of these battery-powered minis at the show on the first day – going on to do deals for a further 17 machines! The silentrunning 856HE wheel loader also made an appearance at the show.

Matt Coleman, Sales Manager Professional Landscaper Contract & Site Works Equipment - UK Direct Market at The Toro Company, was at Plantworx for the first time with Toro UK, he commented “This was the first year of Toro U.K. Ltd choosing to take stand space and showcase our extensive portfolio of Compact Construction Equipment. The show

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beat all expectations, and the quality of visitors over the three days was encouraging, ranging from Business Owners to Plant Operators. It’s very rare to sell anything off stand without any follow-ups post-event but we did! Also, there was strong interest from established construction dealers keen to take on the Toro Compact Construction as a new franchise for them.”

Peter Beach, Managing Director Genquip Groundhog, is a great advocate of Plantworx, and his clever and witty series of videos leading up to the show, brought a smile to the Plantworx 2023 team! Peter and Daisy (the hog) had a fantastic show – he said, “Genquip Groundhog had a hugely successful time at Plantworx 2023. We were highlighting our innovative Carbon reduction welfare units and of course, the amazing weather helped with this!

The quality of visitors this year was amazing meaning all three units on our stand did not come back to the factory but straight to customer depots as all were sold at the show. It didn’t stop there, we had a fixed axle office on Team MHM stand and we sold this too, along with five others we had in stock at the factory. Leads taken at the show meant we also sold five more stock mobile units straight from the factory.”

Peter concluded, “ Thanks, Plantworx 2023 you were great. And my weather forecast was amazingly incorrect!”

Gaz Evans, GEM Attachments and Scale models exhibited for the first time at Plantworx in the indoor Arena, he had a cracking show, “Lucinda and myself can’t thank the customers enough who have supported us at Plantworx, and the current and new OEMs that came to speak with us.

Our stand was a little shy of models – we have done some phenomenal business.”

Plantworx also served as the stage for the announcement of the 600,000th machine protected by the CEA’s CESAR Scheme, a leading solution in machinery anti-theft. Suneeta Johal, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, awarded MANITOU with a symbolic CESAR ID plate, numbered 600,000. Representatives from MANITOU included Mark Ormond (Managing Director), Mark, expressing his company’s support for CESAR, said, “We have been supporters of the CESAR Scheme since its inception and recognise its part in reducing theft. We are delighted to be the manufacturer of the machine which has reached this incredible milestone and will continue to support CESAR!” In 2019 CESAR expanded its service by launching CESAR ECV, allowing for rapid verification of a machine’s emission status, and introduced unique security feature-rich Ultra High-Frequency RFID transponders.

Kevin Howells, MD of DATATAG ID, CESAR’s technology partner, commended MANITOU for their ongoing support. He emphasised the value that the CESAR ECV and new UHF transponders, bring to customers and major infrastructure projects in the UK, highlighting the innovation that keeps CESAR ahead of its competitors.

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Visitors also had a fantastic experience at the show The Plantworx 2023 event was a big hit among visitors, even though a few well-known brands decided not to exhibit this year. Visitors were more than happy to see strong representation from top brands like Takeuchi, Bobcat, Liugong, Sany, Develon, Mecalac, Hidromek and Caterpillar. A standout moment was XCMG making their first UK appearance. These big names brought energy and excitement to the showground, showing off the best in plant machinery and construction equipment, with some very impressive demonstrations.

What set Plantworx 2023 apart was its role as a gathering place for online buddies. Before the event, these folks knew each other only from social media groups. But at Plantworx, they finally got the chance to meet in person. This added a fun, social vibe to the event, making it feel like a big reunion of friends. This face-to-face interaction added a unique, friendly twist to Plantworx 2023, making it more than just a trade show.

A special thank you to visitors Peter Mckenna, Dan Cullin, Kenneth Hatcher, Jim Turner, and the rest of the online ‘Breakfast Show’ crew who made it to the event and for all the pre-show, post-show and during the event support. And for all of your very kind comments – you really are the best kind of visitors!

Chris Charlton, Director CJ Charlton Group came to the show armed with his cheque book, he said “I had a great day at Plantworx. And sealed a deal with Mutley Plant Services on some new demolition attachments, which will be added to our equipment fleet later this month.”

Merrill Lynch, Lynch Plant Hire and Haulage also visited the show and stopped by the Takeuchi stand and a deal was agreed with Takeuchi dealer, CBL (Clive Barford Limited) on the 1st Takeuchi TB395W, to the largest fleet of 10tonne wheeled excavators in the UK.

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The indoor arena was home to the new Get Connected Zone and the Simulation Zone The Simulation Zone at Plantworx, a state-of-the-art training platform for construction professionals, hosted by Plantforce Rentals, made a triumphant return in 2023 following its phenomenal debut in 2019. This innovative and interactive zone provided an unmatched opportunity for beginners and seasoned operators alike to enhance their skills and familiarise themselves with machine control systems, and advanced technologies, and gain insights into the realm of construction.

Throughout the entire show, the zone was teeming with activity as every age group and various levels of experience tried their hands at the simulators.

The companies’ stands in the indoor arena had been buzzing with visitors and offered a cool alternative to the soaring temperatures outside. The technology that was presented is set to change the future of construction. The newly inaugurated Get Connected Zone had brought together companies that had new and innovative ways of delivering solutions. The focus was on the people-plant interface, telematics, the connected site, and safety systems. Indoor companies such as Ongrade MC (Thomas Plant), Unicontrol, Smart Construction Sitech, Sodex, Plinx, MachineMax, GKD, and FTC were present.

Exhibitors, MachineMax and PLINX announced their partnership at the show in the ‘Get Connected Zone’. The two businesses have teamed up to provide a whole new approach to the connected worksite, integrating sensors from machines to people into one data-driven dashboard. Plinx also announced a new in-cab visual alert solution

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linked to the MachineMax sensors to support reductions in idle time.

The outside ‘Get Connected Zone’ exhibitors included key sponsors, Leica Geosystems, Conquip, Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe, and Ongrade MC (Thomas Plant).

Flannery Plant Hire, brought and supported the Operators Skills Hub to Plantworx and reported that they had a wonderful three days at Plantworx Construction Exhibition 2023 last week. “ It was an unforgettable experience, which included engaging with many industry professionals and witnessing some exciting innovations that the industry has produced. Thank you to all who made it possible.”

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Brand new Operator Challenge – Awesome Earthmovers The Operator Challenge Zone, hosted by Awesome Earthmovers, and sponsored by Hyundai , was the hub of the show. Operators in their 100’s and a whole host of influencers gathered in the Plantworx ‘speedway area’ and it was really buzzing with activity. There was a real feeling of camaraderie as operators took to the timed challenges in Hyundai machines.

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The Operator challenge was graced by guest visits from several of the UK’s top social media figures. These include Amy Underwood, widely known as Amy the Digger Girl, Conor Kelly also known as Conor the Digger Driver, Lloyd Peckham recognized as Bearded Excavation, Kurt Mills, more famously known as Lord Muck, Lana Edwards, who goes by Tracklass1, and the rising star, Ben ‘the operator’ Wade, who appears to have a promising career ahead. The contest between Conor and Lloyd, which was dubbed ‘rumble in the jungle’, was eagerly anticipated and showcased on Instagram and TikTok. Although it was a tight competition, Bearded Excavation ultimately claimed victory.

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Onsite Awards – winners of the onsite awards At Plantworx 2023 there were onsite awards for those exhibitors who made a big impact on the onsite judges who looked at companies’ stands and demonstration areas. The awards – were presented at the Exhibitor’s Reception which took place on the evening of the first day of the show. The winners were as follows; The Winner of the Best Indoor Static Stand is Radiodetection. The judges, Angela and Simon thought that the stand as welcoming and the staff were very attentive and approachable. Visitors to the stand could visibly see the product and were in no doubt about what was on offer.

The second winner of the night for Best Outdoor Static Stand went to Xwatch Safety Solutions. The judges felt that it was welcoming, and an innovative use of materials including flower boxes and aged wood. The upstairs grass mezzanine provides a quiet place to sit relax and see the rest of the show away from the hustle and bustle. The seating area was also very welcoming and provided some much-needed shade. The staff also make a great team. Dan Leaney, Xwatch Safety Solutions, Operations Director said, “We were thrilled to win this award – this is our first Plantworx and we really made an effort with our stand. I am very pleased that the Xwatch team has been recognised.”

The next award was for The Best Use of an Outdoor demo area.

Our judges, Nick Drew and Peter Haddock – were unanimous that this prize should go to Develon. There was a lot of thought and preparation that went into this stand – it really had the wow factor.

A really nice feel and flow and was not just a ‘Tent in a field’ but a truly impressive stand.

Develon – Kevin Lynch, Marketing Communications Manager for Develon, said: “We are delighted to win the Best Use of Live Demonstration Award, especially with the transition we are making with the Develon brand and making its first appearance at Plantworx. The excellent Demo show on the stand carried out by our operators, Nigel Horton and Alex Humpage, brings across the high performance, innovation, versatility and durability of Develon equipment in an exciting and very watchable way.”

The Outstanding Contractor Award was presented to Fuchsia Events and the team. Plantworx Event Director, Simon Frere-Cook presented the award to family-run business Fuchsia, Chairman, Mike Coleman, who dedicated this award to his son Nick Foreman.

Simon said, that you couldn’t fault Nick and the Fuchsia team – they are impeccable in every aspect of site etiquette and always excel in everything they do. Nothing is too much trouble for the team.

The Best Demonstrator at Plantworx (Operator) Award is a hotly contested award as there are many talented demonstrators at the show. However, there has to be a winner and this year it was Takeuchi demonstrator, Owen Mays.

Nick Drew, Earthmovers magazine, judged the category, he said, “Owen Mays on the Takeuchi stand, operating the TB395-W rubber duck excavator, showcased exceptional skill and a profound understanding of the machine’s capabilities. His utilisation of the Engcon Tiltrotator was nothing short of impressive, exemplifying the perfect blend of flexibility and accuracy. Owen demonstrated the full potential of the machine, leaving a lasting impression as an expert operator.”

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The end of the road for the Peterborough Showground Plantworx 2023 marked the final trade show held at the East of England venue, as it is now scheduled for a significant housing development. This transition brings forth exciting prospects for the construction industry. Watch this space for news of Plantworx 2025 – coming soon!

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Diggerman Blog, Nick Drew shares Plantworx equipment highlights The final Plantworx Construction Equipment Exhibition at Peterborough's East of England Showground drew bustling crowds, with many eager to strike deals, ahead of the venue's impending redevelopment.

While many of us had seen most of the new machines on display at various events, there was still plenty of items worthy of a closer look, and a subtle array of brand-new machines and attachments to be seen.

BOBCAT Fresh in the mind from our recent visit to their facility in Dobris, Czech Republic, Bobcat brought along at least a couple of new machines, including the E19e all electric 2-tonne class battery powered mini excavator.

The machine made its world premiere at Bauma in Munich last year and made its UK debut at the EHS show in Coventry earlier this year. The machine builds on the success of Bobcats smaller offering the 1-tonne class E10e which has been well received globally.

Also new on the Bobcat stand was the TL25.60, which is the manufacturers smallest telehandler in the range. This compact machine has a lift capacity of 2500kgs, and is capable of a lift height of 5.9m with a maximum telescopic reach of 3.3m. Power comes from a Stage V emissions compliant Bobcat diesel engine offering a power output 75hp.

DEVELON The big news on the DEVELON (Formerly Doosan) stand, was the first public appearance of their popular 14.6-tonne offering the upgraded DX140LC-7K which features a number of improvements over the outgoing DX140LC-7 model.

Most notably visible is the new flattened engine cover, a welcome replacement which replaces the bulbous bonnet fitted on the previous model. The new design has reduced the maximum height of the cover components on the back of the machine from 1285.5 mm and 1320 mm down to a uniform 1070mm right across the back of the machine.

Seated in the cab, a glance across the right-hand side and the rear confirms much improved visibility levels. Other improvements include better access to the refuelling pipework, and for the accessing the DEF tank.

Other machines of note on the stand were the new DX63-7, which alongside the DX62R-7 complete the line up of the companies next generation mini excavator line up. The DX85R which was launched at Bauma was also on the stand, while the DX250WMH-7 materials handler was also on display in the demonstration arena.

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first public appearance at Conexpo-Con/Agg earlier this year.

Tipping the scales at 2680kgs the 9027FE is powered by a 16.5kw (22.13hp) electric motor and a 20.6 kWh large-capacity lithium-ironphosphate battery.

Out on the demo plot was an example of LiuGong’s 856H-E MAX electric powered wheeled loaders, which has been undergoing a demonstration period in a UK quarry. LiuGong state that there are already 2000 of these machines at work around the world.

On the conventional diesel-powered machine front, LiuGong displayed the new 6-tonne class zero tailswing model the 9057F ZTS.

TAKEUCHI Making a big impact on the demonstration plot and on static display were examples of the Japanese manufacturers new 3-Series TB395W wheeled excavator (Rubber Duck) which is the successor to the hugely successful TB295W. The machine was first seen at Bauma, in Munich and then displayed at Conexpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas.

The machine was being put through its paces on the demo plot by long standing Takeuchi owner Owen Mays, who was showcasing the machines versatility, mobility and flexibility which is even further enhanced with the fitment of an Engcon tiltrotator.

Other 3-Series machines working on the demo plot included the 7-tonne class TB370, and the new TB350R which were being put through their paces by father and son duo Neil and John Grainger who are also long-standing Takeuchi customers.

Without doubt, the biggest buzz on the stand (pun intended) was over at the #TakeuchiTime challenge where visitors were invited to take to the controls of the all new TB20e electric mini excavator to stack tyres in sequence against the clock. Takeuchi Time is hosted by the unmistakably talented Dave Vickers, who is a natural entertainer!

LIUGONG Electric machines continue to generate a lot of interest on the show circuit and on the LiuGong stand they had two examples from their range to show customers. The 9027FE is the all-electric version of their successful 3-tonne class 9027F diesel powered machine and made its

SANY Chinese manufacturer Sany, more well known in the UK for its hydraulic excavator range, chose Plantworx for the UK debut of two new generation wheeled loader models the SW305 and SW405, with operating weights of 14.5 and 18-tonnes respectively, and bucket capacities of 2.3 and 3 m3 . These machines are brimming with bluechip components from leading manufacturers such as Kawasaki for the hydraulic pumps, and ZF for the transmissions.

Also making a debut was the all new SY18U zero tailswing mini excavator, which according to Sany, offers the same technology and performance as the existing conventional tailswing models the SY16C and SY18C. An example of the new model was available for visitors to try out on the demo plot, and there was plenty of interest, with visitors prepared to fill in a form before jumping on and a feedback sheet after the demo!

There was fun and games too, with the Sany operator challenge, which featured the recently launched SY19E electric mini excavator, which we first saw at Bauma last year, and earlier this year in the UK at the Executive Hire Show.

MECALAC Stealing the show on the Mecalac stand and walking away with an Innovation Award for engineering and design, was the all new revolutionary REVOTRUCK site dumper/small ADT, which features a fully revolving cab which is operated by the touch of a button, enabling the operator to have the very best visibility for the job in hand.

The machine is available with two load capacity options, namely 6-tonne or 9-tonne and is powered by a Stage V emissions compliant Perkins diesel engine which offers a power output rating of 74hp, delivering 380Nm of torque @1,380rpm. This is a machine I am definitely looking forward to getting “hands on” with in due course.

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ROTOTILT

DIGGA EUROPE

The demand for tiltrotator’s around the world continues to grow rapidly, especially here in the UK where the game changing concept has really established itself. At Plantworx Rototilt UK presented the latest RC5 tiltrotator.

The RC5 along with the RC4, RC6, RC8 and the largest tiltrotator on the market the RC9 have all recently been added to the RC family.

The Swedish manufacturer has also introduced the new RCS control system which features a touch screen monitor and all new RC joysticks with plenty of rollers and buttons and a stepless angle adjustment to suit individual operator’s requirements.

Another winner of a Plantworx Innovation award for engineering and design was the European division of Digga, the Australian headquartered attachment manufacturer who were rewarded for their HALO drilling system.

HALO is without doubt a game changer, and like so many great ideas, it’s a relatively simple concept.

For a long time now, drilling holes efficiently and to exact measurements, has all too often been a two-person job, involving old tools like spirit levels too constantly check the angle of the auger, but with HALO, all that has been eliminated.

With the HALO system the process becomes a one-person job, with the operator only needing to follow the green and red-light for feedback to maintain a correct drilling angle.

HIDROMEK One of only two backhoe loaders spotted around the showground was on display on the Hidromek stand. The all new and latest reincarnation of the Turkish manufacturers HMK 102B backhoe, the K4 Series.

The K4 Series is Hidromek’s fourth generation of backhoe loaders and was an award winner at the Red Dot Design Awards 2022, and as if that wasn’t enough, it also picked up the Product Design award at IF Design Awards 2022, these are two of the most valuable design awards globally.

The Stage V emissions compliant K4 machine features an efficient high flow hydraulic system capable of providing maximum breakout force even at low revolutions. Big changes in the cabin include the patented Autotilt seat, which allows the steering wheel to lift up automatically while rotating backwards to facilitate easier access to the

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SUNWARD

backhoe position. The joysticks are integrated into the seat to enable the operator to work comfortably in backhoe and loader positions including the side angles.

Other machines of note on the busy stand were the 62T tracked compact loader and the HMK 230LC 23-tonne class hydraulic excavator.

ENGCON UK Engcon are ever present at these shows and always have a good live demo going on with many well-known operators running the machines.

Once again, the focal point was Collins Earthworks new Volvo EWR170E with full spec Engcon EC-Oil system, which was making its very first appearance in the UK, operated by Will Goldstone.

Chinese manufacturer Sunward it’s fair to say, had a stuttering start in the UK market, but are now looking well set up with new management on board and good dealers appointed with more to follow in due course. The machines look to be of good quality and are well appointed in the cab.

Two new models caught my eye on the stand, the high spec SWE155UF-2PB sort tailswing hydraulic excavator which featured a twopiece (TAB) boom, dozer blade and a Steelwrist tiltrotator. The machine which tips the scales at 15,600kgs, is powered by a Stage V emission compliant and fuel-efficient Cummins 3.8 litre diesel engine offering a power output of 93kw. Maximum reach at ground level is an impressive 8,370mm while a maximum dig depth of 5,525mm is achievable.

I’m hoping to get “hands on” with this compact hydraulic excavator in due course for a “First Drive” feature in this magazine.

Also presented on stand was the SWE20FED electric mini excavator which is Sunward’s first electric machine and was launched during Bauma in Munich. The machine features a lithium-ion battery and a three-phase asynchronous motor, according to Sunward the machine can work at full load for 6 hours and can be fully fast charged in less than 2 hours.

CATERPILLAR

DIGBITS Cannock, Staffordshire based DIGBITS are a family-based business flying the flag for British bucket and attachment manufacturing in the heart of the UK. Once again Marcus Clay and his team were on hand to talk all things attachment related and presented a wide range of equipment.

On the demo plot regular demo owner/operator Dave Stone with his Takeuchi TB370, as featured in the January 2022 edition of this magazine, was on hand to demonstrate his wide range of DIGBITS buckets and attachments.

Talking electric machines once more, Caterpillar brought along their new 906 electric compact wheeled loader which is built in the Desford facility in Leicestershire. The machine is effectively the same as the conventional diesel-powered version, with the same cab, loader arms and hydraulics, but in this variant, battery powered.

Caterpillar have developed a 300V system with a 64kWh battery, which will offer around 6 hours of actual working time a day from a single charge. There will of course be a choice of different charging options, making use of single and three phase supplies, and DC charging in due course.

Mini and midi excavators were available to try on the demo plot including the latest version of the Cat 308 CR which features such innovations as stick steer, and ease of use technologies such as Indicate and E-Fence which allows operators of all experience levels to work more effectively and safely.

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The previous model has been a number one seller in the UK midi excavator market for a long time, and the new KX085-5 will look to build on that long standing success, with the new cab layout and additional features, and as a Kubota spokesman said, “The best, just got better!”.

Kubota also showcased their all-new electric wheeled loaders and electric tracked dumper models.

MANITOU

GRUMPER The “Grumper” is the brainchild of an engineering team at Lincolnshire and London based contractors JJ Mac Ltd and is effectively a new selfloading dumper concept. But where this concept differs from traditional self-loading dumpers is that the skip itself is designed to grab the material in a clamshell style movement.

Of course, there have been many self-loading dumpers produced previously, fitted with front mounted loader arms and bucket, which do tend to look vulnerable to damage in the wrong hands, but the “Grumper” with its hydraulically operated grabbing system, is a totally different approach to the concept.

A company spokesman on the stand said there has been a lot of interest in the concept from established dumper manufacturers. The concept could prove to be very popular in countries like Spain and Italy for example, where conventional self-loading dumpers are well utilised.

KUBOTA Japanese manufacturer Kubota represented by Kubota UK chose Plantworx as the launch event for the KX085-5 the replacement for the hugely popular KX080-4@2 as featured earlier on in this issue of Earthmovers.

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Manitou were leading the charge at Plantworx with a duo of all electric battery powered telehandler models including the compact and highly manoeuvrable MT 625e. This machine has a lifting capacity of 2.5-tonnes and a lift height of 6m, and according to Manitou, can offer the same level of performance as its diesel fuelled counterpart. Buyers can choose from a 25kWh or 33kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Reaching for the sky on the Manitou stand was the new MRT 2660e VISION+ range rotary telehandler which is also totally electric. This machine has a lift capacity of 6-tonnes and an impressive lift height of 26m.

The MRT 2660e which won the Highly Commended award at the Plantworx Innovation awards ceremony in the engineering and design category, is fitted with a 700V/65kWh lithium-ion battery pack, that can offer the same power and performance levels of a machine fitted with a traditional internal combustion engine.

MERLO Another traditional name in the manufacture of telehandlers Italian company Merlo, brought along something different in the form of the new DM9 site dumper.

This hydrostatically driven machine had previously been revealed at Bauma, but this was the first time we had seen one in the UK. The rigid chassis, 4-wheel steer machine has a maximum load capacity of 9-tonnes and features a rotating seat in the cab with two steering wheels, allowing the operator to drive the machine as a forward-facing dumper, or as a small ADT by driving with the load behind. The skip can be rotated through 180° to allow for three-sided unloading. The transmission is capable of delivering a maximum speed of 40km/h depending on ground conditions.

KINSHOFER/AUGER TORQUE Among a sea of attachments on the Kinshofer stand was the Auger Torque Cone Crusher bucket. This attachment is suitable for use on machines in the 3- to 10-tonne bracket, and is capable of quickly repurposing rubble into usable hardcore of approximately 40 to 70mm.

Tried and tested on excavators, telehandlers, skid-steers and mini loaders, Auger Torque is already reporting considerable success in the UK market with this product. The crusher was put through its paces on the showground by long standing Kinshofer demo operator Ed Butler who reported phenomenal levels of interest is it.

MILLER North East based attachment manufacturer Miller is a name that has become synonymous with quick couplers over the course of my working life, but of course they also equally well-known for buckets too, and at Plantworx they were launching a new Tilt Ditch Cleaning bucket.

This is a whole new design with what looked like a much lower build height and with the tilting rams nicely concealed within the inside of the bucket, preventing damage to the rods, built with Hardox steel it certainly looked a solid piece of equipment.

STRICKLAND MFG Long established bucket and attachment manufacturer Strickland MFG were showcasing an all-new Tilt Coupler at Plantworx which features a ramless rotation system.

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Plantworx Innovation Award Winners Celebrating innovation in the construction equipment sector.

The Plantworx Innovation Awards 2023, held in recognition of groundbreaking innovations in the construction equipment sector, showcased the industry’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Despite the challenges faced by the industry in recent years, the awards demonstrated that companies remain dedicated to investing in research and development to drive progress.

The awards, hosted by Plantworx, featured seven main categories, each highlighting exceptional advancements in various aspects of the construction equipment sector. Winners, runners-up, and highly commended entries were honoured in each category, showcasing the breadth of innovation taking place within the industry. Presenting the awards was, Shaun Wallace, AKA, The Dark Destroyer from the TV Quiz show – The Chase, in front of an audience of 300 guests!

The Non-operated Plant & Support Products category, sponsored by Datatag, recognized outstanding achievements in this

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field. Elite GSS claimed the prestigious award for their Hi-Vis Ballast Block, an innovative water-filled stabilizer system for fencing. This simple yet effective solution enhances safety for construction workers and pedestrians while contributing to sustainability targets with its use of recycled materials. Hydrotechnik’s Minimess® Monster pressure test kit, a groundbreaking product for on-site hydraulic pressure testing, received the runner-up position in this category.

In the Best Environmental Initiative category, sponsored

by KGP Automotive Intelligence, the industry’s commitment to sustainability shone through. Lifos was declared the winner for their Lifos Fort PV power storage system, which enables off-grid construction sites to become connected sites within minutes. Auger Torque’s Cone Crusher Bucket, facilitating on-site recycling on even the smallest sites, earned the runner-up position.

The Safety category, sponsored by Caterpillar, recognised Spillard Safety Systems as the winner for their AI Human Detection

Adrian Williams, Lifos managing director said, “The Environmental Initiative Award is a recognition of the serious carbon reduction benefits of the Lifos Fort and the unique design of the all-in-one solar battery package. Winning the award is a tremendous boost to the engineers, designers and everyone involved in the development of the product.”

System, effectively preventing accidents caused by human-machine interaction. Onwave’s OWL active geo-fencing solution, ensuring safety for lone workers and preventing accidents on-site, received a highly commended award.

The Best Use of Technology – Including Digital Innovation category, sponsored by Futureworx, acknowledged companies that harnessed technology to address industry challenges. MachineMax received a highly commended award for their sensor-based fleet management system, enhancing asset lifetime for rental companies.

MP Filtri’s CMP VIEW Analysis Software, enabling simple hydraulic oil analysis, also earned a highly commended award.

The Best Security Initiative category, sponsored by the CEA Policing Fund, celebrated Digger Guard as the winner for their Vandal Guard cab protection system, addressing the issue of vandalism with a practical and secure solution.

The Engineering & Design category, sponsored by the Construction Equipment Association, saw two joint winners. Digga Europe’s HALO Earth Drill Alignment System, utilizing LED lights to enhance auger drilling efficiency, shared the award with Mecalac’s

Revotruck, a revolutionary redesign of the site dumper, making material transportation safer.

In the Training & Skills Development category, sponsored by Merlo, Flannery Plant Hire and Leica Geosystems were honored as joint winners for their respective initiatives aimed at attracting and upskilling talent within the construction equipment sector.

The Plantworx Innovation Awards featured two Special Recognition Awards. British Steel received the first award for its Laser Detection of Surface Defects, revolutionizing quality control in steel production. The second Special Recognition Award went to Xerotech for their Hibernium Battery Pack, an adaptable lithium-ion battery platform for construction and mining equipment.

The Plant and Hire Aid Alliance, a consortium of companies in the plant and plant hire industry, was presented with the Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Contribution.

The alliance has played a vital role in supporting the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, providing essential supplies to those affected by the conflict.

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Non Operated Plant & Support Service Product 1st Elite GSS Ltd Hi-Vis Ballast Block 2nd Hydrotechnik UK Ltd Minimess® Monster Sponsor DATATAG

Environmental Initiative 1st Lifos Lifos Fort PV 2nd Auger Torque Cone Crusher Bucket Sponsor KGP

Safety 1st Spillard Safety AI Human Detection System (HDS) 2nd BOMAG Articulated Tandem Roller Highly commended Onwave Onwave OWL Sponsor Caterpillar

Best Use of Technology – Including Digital Innovation Highly Commended MachineMax MachineMax Highly Commended MP Filtri UK Ltd CMP VIEW Analysis Software Sponsor Futureworx 2024

Security Initiative Winner DIGGER GUARD® Vandal Guards Sponsor CEA Policing Fund

Engineering & Design Winner Digga Europe HALO Earth Drill Alignment System Winner Mecalac Revotruck Highly Commended Manitou MRTe Rotary Telehandler Sponsor CEA (Construction Equipment Association)

Training & Skills Development Programme Winner Leica Geosytems Leica Training School Winner Flannery Plant Hire Skills Bootcamp in Plant Operations Sponsor Merlo

Special Recognition For Outstanding Humanitarian Contribution Winner Plant & Hire Aid Alliance Sponsor Plantworx

Special Recognition Award for Ongoing Engineering Winner British Steel Laser Detection of Surface Defects Winner Xerotech Xerotech Hibernium® Sponsor Plantworx

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Boss Cabins dual win at Plantworx: achieving sustainability and comfort with new Eco Cabins Plantworx, committed to an eco-friendly event this year, sourced sustainable on-site accommodation.

UK manufacturer, Boss Cabins, met this need with their new solar-powered cabins, showcasing their environmental efficiency at this high-profile industry gathering.

Stuart Favill, Plantworx Operations Manager, said: “We sought environmentally-friendly accommodation that could run 24/7 with minimal impact. Boss Cabins not only met our criteria but were professional, understanding, and provided high-quality, sustainable cabins.”

The six solar-powered cabins from Boss Cabins, used round-the-clock at times, drastically reduced Plantworx's carbon footprint. Compared to traditional methods, they saved on fuel, cut emissions, and eliminated generator noise.

Boss Cabins calculates a saving of 867 litres of fuel and a reduction of 2.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions over 2.5 weeks. However, given the intensive usage at Plantworx, actual savings were likely much higher.

Nicki Wordsworth, Boss Cabins Head of Customer Experience, said: “Our cabins' performance at Plantworx demonstrated their potential in reducing carbon footprint and improving sustainability on-site.”

Concluding, Stuart Favill mentioned that Boss Cabins would be their primary supplier for future events, praising their environmentally-friendly approach.

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Plantworx 2023: Bridging the skills gap through STEM – Primary Engineer & Student Day On the final day of the Plantworx Construction Exhibition, five primary schools from Peterborough participated in the Primary Engineer STEM challenge.

The event was hosted by Plantworx and supported by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association).

A total of 40 pupils took part in the challenge, which aimed to promote science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education among primary school students. The event was well attended, and a number of judges from sponsor companies were present.

The participating primary schools brought their carefully engineered dumper trucks and lighthouses to the “Celebration Event,” where the competition took place. The judges, including engineers and apprentices from companies such as Caterpillar, CEA, Datatag, GAP, Gomaco, Mecalac, Flannery, and Xwatch, evaluated the projects and interacted with the school teams individually.

The judges assessed the design process, methods, and preparations used by each team. The teams’ communication skills and the best theme of the day were also taken into consideration during the judging process.

For the Primary School (Apprentice Level 1) teams, the final part of

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the judging process involved testing their dump trucks on a 12-metre by 4-metre “runway.” The judges observed how far and how straight the trucks could travel. The Primary Schools that used batteries (Apprentice Level 2) in their lighthouses were challenged to a “tip test” to assess the centre of gravity, reactions, and stability of their creations.

Overall, the Primary Engineer STEM challenge at Plantworx provided an opportunity for local primary school students to showcase their engineering skills, while also promoting STEM education and fostering an interest in construction and related industries.

CEA’s (Construction Equipment Association) Head of Skills, Nigel Baseley, expressed his satisfaction with the growth of the Primary Engineer event at Plantworx. He said, “This is our 3rd Primary Engineer event at Plantworx, and we are delighted with how the event gains momentum.”

Nigel highlighted the ongoing skills shortage in the industry and acknowledged that initiatives like the Primary Engineer play a crucial role in introducing young people to the opportunities offered by a

career in engineering. He praised Primary Engineer’s approach of incorporating STEM education seamlessly into practical design and technology activities in a fun way.

Observing the significant participation of young children in the event, Nigel saw it as an encouraging sign for the future of engineering. He emphasised the CEA’s aim to encourage as many companies as possible within their membership network, as well as the wider construction equipment sector, to actively engage in STEM activities. Nigel specifically mentioned the importance of supporting schemes like Primary Engineer.

By promoting involvement in STEM initiatives, the CEA aims to inspire young minds, develop their skills, and cultivate their interest in engineering, ultimately addressing the skills gap and contributing to the growth and advancement of the construction equipment industry.

The pupils who did not participate in the Primary Engineer event were invited by Plantworx to attend the final day of the event. Parents, grandparents, and guardians brought their children along to provide them with a firsthand experience of a working construction show. The age range of attendees spanned from infants to teenagers, with over 200 children in attendance. The weather was exceptionally sunny—a rarity for Plantworx—enhancing the experience for the children as they explored the showground.

The young visitors gained valuable insights into the UK construction industry, including plant equipment, new technologies, and the myriad of opportunities on offer. Additionally, the children learned how the showcased equipment contributes to the development of infrastructure across the country.

School groups and other young attendees were also invited to embark on the Plantworx Student Trail, a curated journey that encouraged them to visit various exhibitor stands, engage in challenges, answer questions, and collect exciting giveaways along the way.

The Student Trail serves the purpose of addressing the industry’s skills shortage and fostering greater interest in the construction equipment sector among young individuals.

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

NEW MEMBER

Latest transmissions developments from ZF Services UK prove popular ZF Services UK, one of the newest members of the Construction Equipment Association, sees rising demand for its 8EP range of large ERGOPOWER (LII) transmissions. Their Nottingham facility is now fully equipped to service the entire ERGOPOWER range.

ZF Services recently revealed its latest addition to the Ergopower range, the 8EP (LII) transmission, as used in articulated dump trucks.

With its forward-thinking approach, ZF UK has been developing and producing parts for the construction equipment sector for decades, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.

The 8EP range is available as a new or remanufactured unit from its UK Centre of Competence in Lenton, Nottingham as part of its ‘Remanufacturing Excellence Programme.’

A crucial part of this transmission is the ‘ZF Direct Drive Lock-Up Torque Converter,’ delivering fuel saving and a high level of economic viability, specially developed for construction machinery, with engine torques of 500 to 2,600 Nm and hydrodynamic diameters from 280 to 440mm.

For decades, ZF’s UK Centre of Competence has had the capability to service the ERGOPOWER range of power-shift transmissions widely used in construction, material handling and airport ground support (ASG) equipment, known as ERGOPOWER S, M and L ranging from 2 speed to 6 speed, up to a 320 KW engine match.

This new development means that the state-of-the-art ZF facility can now fully service the entire ERGOPOWER range, including the 8 speed ERGOPOWER LII.

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ZF strives towards a sustainable future with its remanufacturing capabilities reducing CO2 emissions, as well as saving energy and raw materials.

Globally ZF offers around 5,500 different products (part numbers), which are remanufactured at ZF plants across the world, with around 34,000,000 kWh of energy in 2022 saved compared to the production of new parts. CO2 emissions were almost 21,000 tons lower than if the same number of new parts had been produced.

To find out more about ZF Services UK remanufacturing capabilities and products, please visit aftermarket.zf.com/uk

Off Highway Business Manager for ZF Services UK, Mark Bowen, said: “ZF has a strong heritage in providing the construction sector with new and remanufactured units, and I am proud to support our customers and associates with the very best in quality and service.

We will continue to go the extra mile to ensure we can bring the latest technology and solutions to market now and long into the future.”

ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

CEA Members’ Forum on Friday, 10th November Volvo Group UK, Warwick The next CEA Members’ Forum meeting is themed around "Decarbonisation and Green Manufacturing".

The event is scheduled for Friday, 10th November, from 10am to 3:00pm. Volvo Group has generously offered to host the meeting at their truck facility located in Wedgnock Lane, Warwick CV34 5YA. The previous CEA forum meeting was a significant success, thanks in large part to the active participation and contributions of CEA members.

“At the next meeting we anticipate even more engaging discussions on our theme, along with interactive breakout sessions, and updates on CEA activities.” Commented Suneeta Johal, CEA Chief Executive Suneeta added, “Among the topics we will cover, we will discuss actions implemented since our last gathering, provide the latest technical information, and look into recent EU laws that might influence your business.”

Additionally, Off-Highway Research will present insights into the current market status. The forum will conclude with a lunch, offering everyone a chance to network and exchange ideas. During the forum,

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there will be ample opportunities to voice your expectations from your CEA membership.

On the evening before the forum, Thursday, 9th November, the CEA have arranged a dinner at the Warwick Suite at the Saxon Mill, Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, Warwick CV34 5YN. The dinner is sponsored by the CEA and Alex Woodrow, MD of Knibb Gormezano & Partners, has kindly offered to sponsor pre-dinner drinks. Should you require accommodation for the evening of the 9th November, you may find suitable hotels using the following link.

Suneeta concluded, “We really hope as many members as possible are able to attend both the networking dinner and the forum and we very much look forward to welcoming you.

Registration is open, and with limited slots available, we recommend securing your place for the dinner and forum meeting as soon as possible.”

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HARD DATA

UK Construction equipment sales slowing down in 2023 The CEA’s Market Analyst, Paul Lyons, provides his insight into what is happening in and around the construction equipment market...

After showing a strong start to the year, retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment have begun to slow down in recent months.

In the first seven months of the year to July, sales are 3% ahead of 2022 levels during the same period and have reached 22,500 units.

After growing by over 11% in Q1, sales have fallen behind 2022 levels in both May and July, and the anticipated slowdown in sales this year has begun.

As reported earlier in the year, equipment sales in the early months were still benefitting from the “catch up” following supply chain constraints in 2022 which extended lead times for delivery of machines.

Sales in recent months are now more exposed to the impact of lower levels of construction activity which are reported on below. However, it should be remembered that sales are still at “record” high levels and remain ahead of 2022, which was the best year for equipment sales since the financial crash in 2008. All equipment sales statistics are sourced from the construction equipment data exchange managed by Systematics International.

The pattern of sales for the major equipment types has shown a mix of performances in the first seven months of the year. Compared with the first seven months of 2022, the strongest sales have been seen by some of the lower volume products such as Road rollers and Wheeled loaders. In contrast, weaker sales have been experienced by some of the higher volume products. This includes Mini/Midi excavators (up to 10 tonnes), where sales are only 3.5% ahead of 2022 levels, and Crawler excavators where sales have been 3% below 2022 levels in the first seven months of the year.

In their most recent forecast published in April, Off-Highway Research

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are anticipating that sales of construction equipment will show a modest fall of 4% this year in the UK as the impact of high inflation and reduced activity in the construction market is experienced. It is anticipated that this will be followed by a further 2% decline in sales in 2024. So overall, a modest downturn is anticipated for equipment sales following a strong post-Covid recovery.

Construction equipment sales in the Republic of Ireland are also documented in the statistics exchange managed by Systematics International. Sales this year have been on a weakening trend and recorded a decline of 23% in the most recent update in July, compared

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with 2022 levels. As a result, this has reduced sales in the first seven months of the year to the same levels as last year, after being ahead of 2022 levels in earlier months.

Construction output slowing down and forecast to decline in 2023 The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) demonstrate that the growth in construction output has flattened in the first half of 2023. Output in Q1 showed only 0.4% growth on the last quarter of 2022, and output in Q2 was only 0.3% higher than Q1.

This followed growth in output of just under 9% in 2022, and clearly indicates a slowing down in activity. Perhaps more significant are the latest statistics on new orders for construction indicating a declining trend. Total orders in 2022 were relatively flat at 1.4% above the previous year. However, this has been followed by a 15% decline in orders in Q1 and a further 18% reduction in Q2. This is expected to result in falling activity levels and output in the second half of the year.

The UK construction Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) published by IHS Markit is a good indicator of sentiment within the UK construction industry. The latest update for August is shown in the chart below. This indicates that the index has remained positive in recent months, but just above the 50.0 “no change” level. August was at 50.8, following an Index of 51.7 in July, which suggests that activity levels within the sector are not declining yet. At this stage, sentiment is remaining resilient, against a background where lower levels of activity are expected in the second half of the year. The latest survey continues to show divergent trends across the three main sectors within the industry. Commercial and Civil Engineering work remain robust and are keeping the index positive overall. In contrast, Housing returned an index of only 40.7 in the August survey and has continued to show declining levels of work since the early months of the year.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) published their Summer

forecast for the UK construction market in July. This anticipates a 7% fall in construction output in 2023 and continues the trend of forecasting lower activity levels compared with earlier forecasts. The Spring forecast expected a decline of 6.4% and the Winter forecast was for a fall of 4.7% in output this year. The latest forecast identifies reduced housebuilding activity and lower levels of repair and maintenance in the housebuilding sector as the drivers of the decline. This reflects the impact on households of reduced wage levels and higher mortgage rates this year, resulting in lower demand in the housing sector. Alongside this, the Infrastructure sector is still forecast to show growth in 2023, but at lower levels than previously expected due to the Government announcing delays to road and rail projects. The CPA forecast for 2024 is for construction output to stabilise and show modest growth of only 0.7%. This also reflects a downgrading of activity levels, with the Spring forecast anticipating growth of 1.1% in 2024. https://www.constructionproducts.org.uk/

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DALE'S DIARY

Unusual regulatory heat key summer developments unveiled Summer is typically a quiet time in the regulatory world. However, the legislators were far from taking a break during this year’s summer period. In his latest article, the CEA’s Senior Technical Consultant, Dale Camsell, sheds light on some major developments that took place through the usually quiet summer period.

The CE mark will be indefinitely accepted in GB (by one Government department) A major announcement was made by the Department of Business and Trade (DBT), previously known as BEIS, on 1st August. DBT announced that, for those regulations that it has responsibility for, it will continue to accept, for an indefinite period, the selling into the GB market of products displaying only the CE mark.

As a reminder, the CE mark is used as a basis for manufacturers to

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declare that their products comply with EU regulations, whereas the UKCA mark was created by UK regulators as a means for manufacturers to declare compliance with post-Brexit UK regulations. However, in order to ease the transition following the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK authorities had continued to temporarily recognise the CE mark in the GB market, but only for a time-limited period. The deadline for placing CE marked products on the GB market had previously been delayed on two occasions, with the most recent deadline being 31st December 2024, meaning that any product sold into the GB market as of 1st January 2025 would have to bear the UKCA mark and have any necessary approvals performed by UK recognised approved bodies

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(which fulfil a similar role to the EU notified bodies).

However, on 1st August, DBT announced the indefinite suspension of this deadline, meaning that it will continue, for the foreseeable future, to accept products being sold in GB on the basis of a CE mark alone.

Manufacturers do not therefore need to consider switching to UKCA compliance any time soon.

This might come as good news to those manufacturers that had not yet set about their UKCA compliance programmes since they can delay, for now at least, the associated cost, burden, and effort of undertaking this task. However, manufacturers that had already invested their time, resource, and energy into following Government advice and have already switched to UKCA ahead of the deadline are feeling less than impressed by this announcement, since it seems that their investment need not have been made just yet, if at all.

One major challenge remains, which needs to be swiftly resolved.

It should be noted that DBT only has authority to delay UKCA for the regulations within its jurisdiction. These cover some of the main pieces of legislation that construction equipment must be compliant with, e.g. machine safety, outdoor noise, electromagnetic compatibility, radio equipment, and others. However, and very importantly, there is at least one other regulation that construction equipment must comply with, and the problem is that that regulation falls outside the remit of DBT. This regulation that covers the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) falls under the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Food and, Rural Affairs (Defra). The issue we face is that Defra has yet to declare whether it will similarly indefinitely extend its acceptance of CE marked products. If it does not, as of 1st January 2025, products will have to be UKCA marked regardless of DBT’s announcement.

Clearly, the uncertainty caused by the uncoordinated positions of different Government departments must be resolved. Hence, on behalf of its members, the CEA is conducting a strong advocacy programme towards Defra to encourage it to announce its position without undue delay. I am in the course of organising a meeting with the Defra officers responsible for RoHS and I look forward to updating CEA members shortly.

The all-important UK Product Safety Review is launched The day after DBT announced the CE mark extension, it followed up with another major announcement; the opening of the long-awaited Product Safety Review (PSR). DBT is considering whether the current UK regulatory framework is fit for the future UK regulatory regime. The current framework is structured such that it facilitates the functioning of EU derived law but, since the UK is now free to set its own laws, DBT is considering whether the framework needs to change. It aims to ensure that future legislation operates in a way that manufacturers’ obligations are proportionate to the hazards presented by their products, reducing compliance costs for lower-risk products, simplifying the conformity process, and so on.

In order to gain stakeholder views on certain aspects of the prospective new regime, DBT has opened a public consultation. CEA was pleased that DBT approached us directly to raise our awareness of the consultation and to encourage our response since it very much values our expertise in such matters. The consultation, which closes in late October, poses 23 questions and CEA is actively seeking members’ views on the topics raised. We are also collaborating with other

associations to ensure our positions are aligned. We await, with interest, what comes of the consultation and what changes might unfold in the future UK regulatory framework.

The UK Industry Forum continues to grow stronger In the early part of 2022, the CEA conceived the idea of creating a forum of UK trade associations that had an interest in machinery, with the aim that these associations could work jointly on matters of common interest, developing unified positions, and working together on advocacy actions towards the UK Government. The Equipment and Machinery Industry Forum (EMIF) was formed in spring 2022 and has already seen tremendous success, boasting many notable achievements.

At its most recent meeting, held in July and hosted by GAMBICA, the CEA-led forum met with representatives of the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Transport, and the Health and Safety Executive. The main topics for discussion included the new developments regarding the EU Machinery Regulation and the revision of the EU Outdoor Noise Directive, with the main aim being to familiarise the UK Government representatives with the new EU requirements and, importantly, to gain an understanding of what the UK’s position might be with regards to adopting these EU regulations into UK law. The main message from the association to the Government representatives was for the UK to maintain alignment with the technical requirements of EU legislation and thereby avoid regulatory divergence.

We are currently in the early stages of this advocacy; I will keep members informed of progress.

EU Machinery Regulation is published Another important development that took place over the summer was the EU’s publication of the new Machinery Regulation. The new regulation was due to be published in spring 2022, but the publication was delayed for various reasons and it was finally made available in August. Through the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE), CEA members influenced the development of this new EU regulation and brought about positive changes to the original proposal.

This is a pivotal focus of mine, and I will keep members closely informed of any developments.

Harmonised European Standards are published for Earthmoving Equipment Finally, there is the subject of harmonised European standards. In summer 2022, the European Commission published several standards for earth-moving machinery. The series was published in early 2022, but only now have they been granted harmonised status. This is important because, now that they have been harmonised, they confer a presumption of conformity with the relevant essential health and safety requirements of the legislation, meaning that, when manufacturers demonstrate compliance with the standards, their products are automatically deemed to be compliant with the associated legislation.

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Powering sustainability: the role of CSR and ESG in Commercial Powertrains Navigating the intricate realm of sustainability, CSR and ESG in the Commercial Vehicle and NRMM sectors. Alex Woodrow, managing director, KGP Powertrain Intelligence reports for Construction Worx…

An Overview of Sustainability: Driving Powertrain Innovation (Part 1) KGP's consulting services primarily revolve around Commercial Powertrains, with a focus on Commercial Vehicle (Truck and Bus) and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) – mainly Ag, Construction and Material Handling. The global commercial vehicle sector is currently undergoing a significant shift towards achieving zero tailpipe noxious and GHG emissions, with numerous markets worldwide enacting legislation to enforce this transition. However, when it comes to NRMM, there is no unified legislative framework driving this change. To drive innovation requires companies to monitor their strategies and outcomes, but without legislative drivers this is more challenging.

Over the last decade of researching the future of NRMM powertrains and considering the various factors influencing their evolution, we identified Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) as the most pivotal catalysts and drivers of powertrain innovation. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings, both connected to the broader concept of sustainability.

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CSR vs ESG vs Sustainability CSR primarily concerns a company's behaviour and its sustainability practices. It is a self-regulated approach where organizations proactively adopt sustainable practices in their operations and decision-making.

Conversely, ESG revolves around the measurement and evaluation of these sustainability practices. It focuses on how companies assess and quantify their impact in relation to stakeholders (the social aspect) and ethical considerations (governance). Unlike CSR, ESG is externally regulated, emphasizing transparency and accountability in reporting these metrics.

In essence, while CSR guides a company's internal sustainability efforts and ethical conduct, ESG serves as the external framework for measuring and ensuring that these efforts align with broader social and governance expectations. Both CSR and ESG play critical roles in advancing sustainability and are essential factors in shaping the future of NRMM powertrains.

ESG and CSR have undergone remarkable transformations over the past three years, notably since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, it has become common practice for major corporations to release annual Sustainability reports, encompassing both CSR and ESG aspects. However, the content and scope of

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these reports have traditionally been at the discretion of individual companies.

Nevertheless, the landscape is evolving, with the emergence of standardized frameworks for both CSR and ESG practices. We observe a growing trend in the adoption of these standards within the Construction Machinery sector and its neighbouring industries.

Why assess the industry’s adoption of Sustainability Measures?

When KGP examines the global outlook for alternative fuels in powertrains, we undertake a comprehensive analysis of various factors.

These considerations are essential for assessing future adoption rates, understanding how company strategies may evolve, and determining the feasibility of different approaches, taking into account resource limitations. Many of these constraints are intrinsically linked to sustainability, which encompasses a combination of self-regulated and externally regulated practices. Consequently, we adopt a holistic perspective as we develop our powertrain and energy scenarios.

To provide a foundation for this article and inform our ongoing work, we conducted an in-depth evaluation of the CSR and ESG reporting as well as the strategies employed by 40 leading OEMs and Tier One suppliers in both the Commercial Vehicle and NRMM sectors. These 40 companies collectively represent more than 70% of global unit sales.

We do not name the companies here but summarise them based on where their Headquarters are located and which industrial sectors they supply into. For each we then identified which sustainability methods, standards and guidelines they have adopted.

Other Sustainability Reporting Standards, Measures and Frameworks The steps they have each taken can be collated into four distinct, but often overlapping groups.

Accounting Methodology and Standards: ●

●

Sustainability Target Validation: ●

UN Sustainable Development Goals The most widely adopted sustainability reporting measure to date are the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Adopted by all UN member states since 2015, these 17 goals were reported on by 33 out of the 40 companies we assessed.

GHG Protocol: This protocol establishes precise methodologies and standards for measuring emissions, climate impact, and renewable energy consumption. The GHG Protocol stands as the most widely used standard for greenhouse gas accounting globally. Developed by WRI (World Resources Institute) and WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), GHG Protocol serves as the international benchmark for corporate accounting and reporting of emissions. It classifies greenhouse gases into three scopes (Scope 1, 2, and 3) based on their source.

– 10 companies reporting.

EU Taxonomy: The EU Taxonomy sets criteria to determine the sustainability of activities across six thematic categories. It will serve as a vital classification system introduced in support of the European Green Deal, unveiled in 2020. Its core purpose is to provide clarity regarding which investments qualify as environmentally sustainable – 9 companies reporting.

SBTi (Science Based Target Initiative): SBTi validates companies' climate targets and offers sector-specific methodologies and guidance. - 15 companies assessed have adopted Science based targets in their latest reporting

Sustainability Performance Evaluation: ●

RE100: This initiative assesses sustainability performance, particularly in achieving renewable energy goals.

Source: UN Global Compact

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However, it's Scope 3 emissions that pose the greatest challenge in terms of quantification and reduction. The GHG Protocol delineates 15 comprehensive categories of Scope 3 emissions, each representing a distinct facet of the company's supply chain and operations. These Reporting Frameworks: emissions extend beyond the company's direct and indirect control, ● TCFD (Taskforce on Climate Financial Disclosures): TCFD provides making them more elusive to measure and mitigate effectively, the 15 a framework for disclosing climate-related financial information. – categories are illustrated in the GHG Protocol’s infographic below: 20 companies reporting.

Scope 3 - Category 11 encompasses emissions stemming from the ● GRI (Global Reporting Initiative): GRI sets guidelines for utilization of goods and services sold by the reporting company within comprehensive sustainability reporting. – 28 companies the reporting year. These emissions encapsulate the combined scope reporting.

1 and scope 2 emissions generated by the end users of the reporting ● IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards): IFRS governs company's products. End users encompass both consumers and financial reporting, including aspects of sustainability. business customers who employ the final products. For most industrial ● CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)/ESRS goods companies Scope 3 – Category 11 accounts for over 90% of their (European Sustainability Reporting Standards): These standards emissions. In Category 11, companies are mandated to account for the pertain to sustainability reporting in the European context. direct use-phase emissions of sold products. Additionally, they have ● SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board): SASB offers the option to consider indirect use-phase emissions of sold products, frameworks for reporting on the achievement of sustainability particularly when these indirect emissions are anticipated to be targets and performance related to those targets. SASB substantial. categorizes activities into five key "sustainability dimensions": Category 11 encompasses the cumulative anticipated emissions over Environment, Human Capital, Social Capital, Business Model the entire lifespan of all relevant products sold within the reporting and Innovation, and Leadership and Governance. Sustainability year, covering the entirety of the company's product portfolio. The GHG accounting encompasses the measurement, management, and Protocol Product Standard offers guidance on accounting for life cycle reporting of these activities. – 13 companies reported Introduction GHG emissions emanating from individual products.

Estimating Scope 3 Category 11 annually, and understanding the Descriptions of scope 3 categories rate at which they are being reduced is therefore most critical, but very Figure I shows the 15 distinct reporting categories inas scope andeach also shows scope 3 relates scope 1element (direct of challenging, part3 of OEMshow portfolio, and is to a major emissions from owned or controlled sources) and scope 2 (indirect emissions from the generation of purchased KGP’s current consulting projects. 18 out of the 40 companies assessed purchased steam, and cooling consumed by the reporting company). Scope 3 includes all other The GHG Protocol categorizes greenhouse gas (GHG)electricity, emissions intoheatingat leastvalue partially reported these in emissions, mosttoused their own indirect emissions that occur in a company’s chain. The 15 categories scope 3 arebut intended provide three distinct scopes. Scope 1 pertains to a company's direct emissions, methods, making likeand forreduce like comparison difficult at thisvalue point.

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Table I gives descriptions of each of the 15 categories.

The Scope 3 Standard requires companies to quantify and report straightforward to measure and reduce. scope 3 emissions from each category.

In contrast, Scope 2 emissions encompass the indirect emissions Based on research completed by KGP September 2023, with thanks linked to the energy that a company purchases or consumes. While still to expert input from Nils Holta, Net Zero Advisor, Ecohz, Norway. manageable, they require a more intricate assessment since they arise CO2 CH4 N2O CO2 CH4 N2O HFCs PFCs SF6 from sources outside the company's direct operations. ●

CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): CDP evaluates companies based on reported achievements in sustainability. – 19 companies referenced CDP in their latest reporting.

Scope 3 Emissions reporting is still limited

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ConstructionWorX DIGITAL

Latest outlook Global construction equipment sales this year will be a little lower than previously expected, but this is due entirely to the woes of the Chinese market. Elsewhere in the world demand is still good.

Chris Sleight Managing Director Off Highway Research

Global construction equipment sales hit a record high in 2021 with 1.3 million machines sold. This was across mainstream categories of compact and earthmoving equipment categories, combined with some machine types in the roadbuilding and off-highway materials handling space.

That record volume was driven by the stimulus measures put in place around the world to combat the economic effects of the Covid pandemic. Indeed, it is generally agreed that sales could have been significantly higher were it not for the supply chain constraints and shipping bottlenecks caused by the pandemic.

China was at the forefront of growth in 2021, having put huge stimulus spending in place very quickly in 2020 – an echo of the action it took in

2009 in response to the global financial crisis. For most other countries there was growth – mainly in housebuilding thanks to low interest rates – but it was a slower burn.

The drivers of the previous two years led to a contrasting picture in 2022. In almost all countries of the world apart from China, demand remained red-hot. Sales in the world excluding China grew 7 per cent in 2022, following on from a 19 per cent increase in 2021 in the same territories.

That picture is being repeated this year, with sales in China plummeting, while the rest of the world remains fairly strong. Most markets are turning down, but as they are coming off record highs, the volumes of machines being sold are still good.

Global sales of construction equipment by region, 2017-2026* (units) Global construction equipment sales will total 1.1 million units this year, a 13% decline on 2022. However, the world excluding China will only be down 6%

CHINA After two years of abnormally high sales in 2020 and 2021 thanks to stimulus spending, the Chinese market collapsed in 2022 with a 39 per cent decline. This was not only due to the stimulus money running out, but the impact was compounded by turbulence in the Chinese real estate sector coupled with the country’s difficulties in getting to grips with Covid. The only bright spot in China over the last year or two has

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been mining, which has invested in dump trucks and large excavators to take advantage of high global commodity prices.

Sales have continued to fall just as steeply this year with around 144,000 construction machines now expected to be sold in 2023.

Compare that to the peak in 2020 when almost 413,000 machines were sold in China, and you see just how brutal the collapse has been. The market has fallen to a third of its former size in just three years.

The main construction-specific problem in China is the on-going turbulence in the real estate sector. House prices are falling in the over-built major cities and debt-laden developers are having to fall on the mercy of their creditors to prevent balance sheet implosions.

In addition, the equipment market is being impacted by the general headwinds of stalled economic growth, falling exports, failing consumer confidence, high local government debt and high unemployment among the young.

Grim conditions at home mean that China’s OEMs will be focusing more and more on export markets this year and over the short term.

As a result, 2023 will be the first time in history that more Chinese equipment is sold outside the country than within it.

EUROPE Construction equipment sales in Europe rose 4 per cent in 2022 to 216,990 units. This increase from 2021’s already high level of 208,462 machines sold maintained the market at a high level, and comparable with the previous record set in 2007.

Off-Highway Research’s forecast for Europe is essentially for the market to stabilise at a high level. The market will see some declines in the next 2-3 years, but volumes should still stay at historically high levels around the 200,000 units per year mark.

A slowdown in housebuilding due to rising interest rates represents a threat to compact equipment sales. However, Europe’s infrastructure markets are strong, which should stimulate sales of larger earthmoving equipment. That change might mean some slightly alarming falls in volume terms, and compact equipment specialists might feel more of a pinch as a result, but the overall value of the market should stay healthy thanks to increased sales of higher value equipment.

NORTH AMERICA North America was the pick of the major markets last year, with an 8 per cent increase in sales to take demand to a record high of 309,005 machines sold.

The surprise this year has been that house prices have remained strong despite interest rate rises, and the equipment market has been resilient as a result. The current forecast is essentially for sales to be level with the record set in 2022, but there might even be some upside to that.

Although the housing market won’t defy gravity for ever, there is a further positive in North America in that demand is pivoting to infrastructure construction. As in Europe, that is likely to mean a lower volume of sales in 2024, but still a healthy market in terms of value.

A positive is that this dynamic encourages commodity producing countries to increase their output to lessen the crisis and benefit from selling at higher prices, and that of course requires construction and mining equipment. However, the heightened inflationary pressures are a much more significant problem than the upside of this unlooked-for commodities boom.

A further threat which is specific to the construction equipment industry is the very high population of young machines which are now active around the world.

Sales have been at historically high levels in most markets of the world for more than five years now. That means that if construction activity falls-off in anyway, equipment sales are likely to drop precipitously, as there will be an ample population of machines in the market to handle the reduced workload.

On the other hand, a prolonged period of historically high volumes is not necessarily a problem. Construction equipment sales always grow worldwide over the long-term as the global population grows and with it the requirement for buildings and infrastructure. There are also demographic changes which drive the adoption of machinery such as skills shortages and higher wages for manual labour, as well as the retirement of the construction industry’s aging workforce.

Global sales of construction equipment by type, 2022 (Units)

Global sales of construction equipment by type, 2022 (US$ million)

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR The problems in China notwithstanding, the global equipment market is still heading for a soft landing, and continued good sales volumes.

However, there are risks to the forecast and they are mostly on the downside. Inflation is not under control in Europe and interest rates have not yet peaked.

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For more information about their services, visit www.offhighwayresearch.com

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Societe Generale Equipment Finance UK celebrates 25 years offering specialist financing Societe Generale Equipment Finance UK (SGEF UK) is proud to celebrate 25 years offering specialist financing, demonstrating its longevity and trust within the marketplace.

From its humble beginnings as a small leasing company in 1998, SGEF has evolved into a major leasing player across multiple sectors, working in partnership with a network of brokers, resellers and vendors, with the backing of a global bank.

Launching the celebrations, Dominic Hughes and David Yates-Mercer, Joint Managing Directors at SGEF UK, said: “Throughout our 25-year history, we have strived to build specialist knowledge and relationships that set us apart from our competitors. Our focus continues to be on the service we provide to make things easy for our partners and customers to have successful and sustainable businesses.

“As we look to the future, we will continue to transform and build on our offerings and to be the partner of choice in meeting the changing needs of our clients, including our shared responsibility towards

developing a greener planet. Our vision is to be the trusted partner for our clients and we are well positioned to do this for well beyond the next 25 years.”

SGEF UK is sharing its 25th anniversary with its clients and employees through dedicated initiatives in 2023. This includes SGEF UK employees being invited to take part in 25 hours of volunteering activity during the year to give back to their local communities. They are also encouraged to fundraise for a special 25-year fund, which will go towards Shelter, the corporate charity, as well as charities that are close to their hearts.

In addition, several local client events are planned to thank clients for their partnership and to look ahead to what SGEF will bring in the future.

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Tech-Driven transformation - South West's housebuilding and infrastructure revolution Join Construction Worx roving reporter, Peter Haddock, as he embarks on a journey through the South West, exploring the groundbreaking advancements brought about by Leica technology in the realms of housebuilding and infrastructure.

From Devon to Cornwall, the last four years have seen earthworks contractors in high demand for housing, holiday homes and the infrastructure needed to support them. Fast forward to today, and contractors large and small are using technology to deliver even the most complex of projects.

Touring around the region, I caught up with operators and engineers to see just how the delivery of earthworks projects has been changed using 3D models and Leica Geosystems machine control.

I was joined on the tour by Lee Knowles of local dealer One Point Survey Equipment who has been working with businesses to retrofit excavators and dozers with the technology, whilst supporting engineers with the surveying equipment needed to create the earthworks models the machines require.

For Courtney King, owner of Courtney King Plant Hire and Groundworks, adopting machine control has led to the largest project the business has undertaken to date, a major new road outside Newquay. It's a key part of a major new house building project also currently under construction.

Courtney: "I originally started using machine control when I was an owner operator, and now it's enabled us to expand the business with the addition of more excavators and a Cat dozer.

There is no room for error on a job like this as on this section in particular, we have to carefully place and compact material from a local quarry, building up the road base to meet a new bridge.

"So, it's a project we could only deliver by working to a model using 3D machine control on our Doosan 225 excavator and Caterpillar D5 dozer. With support from the team at One Point Survey, we have

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managed to get all of the equipment fitted in time to start work whilst also upskilling the team who are delivering it.

"This has involved training on how to operate the dozer and excavator for the whole team, including myself. We have also gone through the learning curve when it comes to the model design working with our local engineer. We have even involved the client in the process, which has been important to the management of the job.

"They now have direct access to the model and can see our 'as dug and dozed' progress each day, which is a great management tool.

"And if any changes to the model are needed, these can now be sent straight to the machine over the GPS network by our engineer, who doesn't even need to be onsite.

"It has literally changed how we work, and I have already added Leica onto two of our smaller excavators used mainly on our house building projects."

Where Courtney and his team have more recently built machine control into their projects, Cornish earthworks contractor KHC Groundworks & Civil Engineering was one of the first users to adopt the technology.

I met with the team over four years ago at a dig day, so I was pleased to see the business has continued to invest with a new Hyundai HX220Al excavator and SMT tiltrotator greeting me at a complex house building project in St Erth, Cornwall.

The excavator was joined by a Liebherr PR 716 dozer, also using machine control operated by Darryl, who first stepped into its original Hyundai machine four years ago using the Leica Geosystems CoPilot system to operate the machine and tiltrotator.

Darryl, who is also a site manager, updated me on the company's

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progress: "We now have five connected machines working on different projects across Cornwall, and we continue to invest in the fleet. This is because the technology helps us to do so much more, allowing us to take on bigger, more complex projects."

"This site we are on is a great example as it was originally on quite a steep slope, which we have had to cut and fill for the plots as well as digging trenches to install new drainage and utilities.

"With all work needed to be completed in a very tight timescale, this is a job we just couldn't do without combining 3D models with machine control."

Having combined tiltrotators with machine control for the last four years, I was keen to understand from Darryl what key impacts it has had on the business.

Darryl: "With the tiltrotator, you can sit the excavator in one place and don't have to move the tracks around so much. You can also quickly change buckets and work in different ways, thanks to the 360 capability, digging to high levels of accuracy.

"And the most important thing is you remove people from working around the machine. So, no one is in a trench, and all you need is a banksman.

When I visited newly machine control trained operator Darren was in the seat of the new Hyundai and shared his experience: "I went into panic mode when they said I was going to be using machine control, but to be honest, I got used to it, and now I wouldn't go back.

"In previous roles, I would have to wait for an engineer to come to the site and set out the plots, and I would often be waiting around if I finished the job. Now I can just move to the next plot as the model is on the machine."

It was finding out more about 3D model making that was part of my next site visit in Exeter, where earthworks for the construction of a new supermarket were well underway thanks to Pavilion Construction. Here I met with engineer Lee Butler, who was creating models needed for the site infrastructure.

Lee: "Since we adopted machine control, we have seen a number of changes in the way we work. The first is the ability to create and dig more complex models, which couldn't be achieved using more traditional methods.

"And the second is the speed in which we can go from the original design to the 'ready to dig' model, which can also be changed and loaded up to the relevant machine very quickly.

"This allows our operators to have a complete and up to date site model on their machine, so they can move from one task to the next.

"I can even upload changes remotely and log into the model to see the progress that has been made every day. It's changed the way I work as I no longer put stakes in the ground, and with my Leica Geosystems rover I can check levels onsite in a matter of minutes.

"I can also see what the operator sees on their tablet, so if there are any questions, I can login remotely and talk them through changes like adding offsets.

"This saves so much time, and once you have worked with an operator hand in hand, they pick up the system very quickly. We can now deliver more complex jobs and even share our progress with clients, which helps to manage the projects we work on and ultimately helps us deliver them on time."

With summer traffic making travel chaotic on the roads in the South West, it was great to see that time wasn't being wasted and that the teams could keep digging with models sent over the GPS network.

It was also clear that the relationships between operators and engineers have changed with more interaction between both of them as they work together to deliver projects.

It just goes to show how far the industry has come in the last four years and how many more projects have been completed with less fuel burnt and a big reduction in idle time. And what's more, it has given the businesses making the investment in technology a real competitive advantage.

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Molson Open Day delivers a full range of site solutions As the largest independent dealer in the UK, Molson Group recently put on an impressive showcase of its multi-brand machine and attachment offering, whilst also showcasing new technology and a big electric surprise. Construction Worx roving correspondent, Peter Haddock reports Held at its Avonmouth facility earlier this year, the open day also allowed visitors to visit Bristol Ports and a special technology dig zone.

And for those visitors like myself who had never been to a Molson Group event before, it was like an industry tradeshow complete with hands on experiences, including a Sennebogen material handler basketball challenge and a Husqvarna remote control robot.

The event also saw the reveal of two very exciting innovations. The first being an electric powered 26-tonne Hyundai HX260e excavator, created in partnership with Dutch company Urban Mobility Solutions (UMS).

The big difference with this model was how it has been designed to work like a diesel machine with refuelling, in this case, delivered through exchangeable battery packs. These can be simply swapped out with fully charged units in under 10 minutes, ensuring the machine can keep operating throughout the day.

Talking about the partnership in its decarbonisation zone, MD Robin Powell said: "An excavator the size of the Hyundai HX260e consumes a lot of power, but with this machine, we have delivered the first battery powered solution that is fit for purpose in the UK. It will enable users to work in the same way they do when using a diesel equivalent. And, of

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course we will have trained engineers to look after the machine when it gets out to site."

As I walked around the depot with Robin, we passed rows of machines, including Kobelco and Hyundai excavators and earth carrying equipment from Thwaites, Hydrema and Rokbak, before discovering the latest Husqvarna remote control demolition robots.

These electric powered machines have recently been added to the

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Molson Group offering, complete with a range of attachments. I caught up with product expert Fredrik Linnell to try out one of the machines and learn more about the range.

Donning a surprisingly comfortable shoulder strap mounted remote control, I was able to simply operate one of the robots, which was fitted with a grab and powered by an electric cable connection.

Explaining more about the machines, Fredrik added: "These robots are changing the way the demolition industry can work, and because they are electrically hydraulically driven, they are much better for the environment with no exhaust fumes to worry about.

"We have four products in the range, which can all be operated from a safe distance of up to 300m. Being small, they can fit through doors but are as powerful as an 8-tonne excavator. They are even agile enough to climb stairs."

New technology and data-driven insights Following on from my remote-control experience, I met with Henry Moore, Commercial Director for Molson, for its big technology reveals.

The first was a new system called InVu that it has worked on with a supplier to the automotive industry. Together, they have developed the technology for the construction industry that has been tried and tested in Formula One. This is an AI based safety solution that was demonstrated on a Kobelco excavator. Using clever technology and cameras around the machine, the solution detects the human form, alerting operators when anyone comes into the exclusion zone around the machine.

Henry: "Our customers not only want us to supply equipment and attachments, they are now looking for technology solutions that can be fitted at the point of purchase in our depots or retrofitted in the field.

"The InVu solution itself is made up of green, amber and red zones with audio and visual prompts for the operator and audio alerts for people around the machines. The technology also pushes real time alerts into our cloud-based platform, sending information to those responsible for safety. We are still adding new features to InVu and plan to launch it to our customers in Q4 of 2023."

With technology now playing an important role in keeping equipment operating and uptime levels high, the event also saw the launch of a new fleet solution called fleetCMD. This uses telemetry data to connect the machine through the cloud to an online platform that can give owners and plant managers a complete view of the fleet from any connected device.

It connects machine data from the API's provided by OEMs to monitor a whole range of information from operating hours and performance to CO2 emissions and machine health. It also links seamlessly to its online Molson Parts solution, ensuring that the right parts can be purchased for any machine purchased from Molson on the fleet.

Built into the system is the ability to create reports for a whole range of stakeholders, from customers to site managers and plant

maintenance teams to engineers. This gives customers one version of the truth for all equipment, enabling better planning and reporting.

Henry Moore added: "We have made fleetCMD a cross industry platform that can accept information from a whole range of OEMs, some of which we don't sell. This ultimately helps customers understand what is going on and get aggregated data from all the machines onsite to monitor performance and uptime.

"For the brands we sell, additional information will be available to enable us to work with them to manage fleet health, with the information being specific to each machine. This also allows us to service their equipment more effectively, supporting the overall availability of machines."

Rolling out more electric and unloading ships at Bristol Ports In addition to the Hyundai HX260e, Molson also revealed a smaller HX85A fully battery powered excavator converted by UMS and Amman showcased its new compact double drum electric roller, the eARX. Jo Adam from Ammann was on hand to explain the key features: "Being powered by an all-electric drive, the eARX 26-2 is very quiet compared to the same diesel equivalent, and it offers the same performance. It can also be charged with our portable, fast charger from zero to full in around 3 hours.

"For additional charging options, we have added a standard Type 2 charger to the machine like you would find on an electric car, making it easy to charge, particularly on sites using other electric vehicles. And with more construction sites setting up this charging infrastructure, you can charge this roller and a car side by side.

"Like other electric vehicles, we have added regenerative features, so the roller will put energy back into the battery when braking. When it comes to general operation, the 𝘦ARX 26-2 can put in a full shift, and of course, there is no idling, so it won't use any battery power when stationary."

Even with some very large machines at the event, including Terex crushers and screeners, the highlight of the day was just a short drive away. This was because Molson had just completed the build of a new Sennebogen 870 specialist port material handler at Bristol Ports.

The huge machine that took three weeks to assemble is set to slash material discharge times by up to 50%. It will be joined shortly by a second machine, and together, they will help Bristol Ports increase productivity and reduce the time ships need to spend in the port itself.

This particular configuration has a 24m reach and was supplied with an 8-tonne capacity grab bucket.

The whole event was certainly an eye opener, and Robin left me with a final comment when looking at the extensive attachment range from brands like Geith, Strickland and SMT. Robin: "For attachments in particular, our customers want us to supply an option for them so they know they get the right support. And this is why we continue to expand our attachment range, as it just makes sense."

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Caterpillar Careers take centre stage at Plantworx

by Peter Haddock

With the sun shining, operators digging, and deals being done, it was great to be back at Plantworx this year. So, when I visited the Caterpillar stand, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was focused and themed on Cat careers.

Of course, the stand had a dig area, and the team had brought some of its equipment and engines to display. But the big news was all about jobs, skills and career opportunities.

With people being critical to the success of our sector, I sought out my good friend Sam Mottram to learn more about Caterpillar in the UK. Sam: "Over 10,000 people in the UK work for one of the Caterpillar brands, and we have been in the UK since the 1950s. Today, we have 24 locations, making everything from backhoe loaders and articulated trucks to developing specialist services like Cat Financial.

Of course, our Perkins engines factory is just down the road in Peterborough, and they don't just make engines, as the team is also supporting our electrification journey with new battery solutions.

"This is why we have such a wide range of roles available that not only support our machines and engines but also our financial services and the new energy transition projects we are now undertaking.

"Yes, you can be an engineer, but you can also work in roles as diverse as a HR placement student to working in supply chain, or logistics, marketing, IT, electrification and much more. We are always looking for great talent across the business."

Having worked with the Cat brand for over 18 years, I have witnessed how the business takes its employees on a career pathway into different roles, giving them a broader knowledge of the industry. And, of course, how Caterpillar works across the globe with independent dealers like Finning UK & Ireland. So, I asked Sam about his personal journey.

Sam: "I have worked with Caterpillar for 20 years and have been in many different roles, even representing the business as part of the work we do with the CEA. I first joined as a design engineer and then worked overseas in our product group teams and our dealer facing sales teams, before working as a commercial manager and today as a global leader focused on aftermarket and attachments growth within our Building Construction Products division.

"I even spent a year with our Resource Industries mining division in an aftermarket role. Throughout this journey, I have met great people, Caterpillar is truly a global village and I have been privileged to travel around the world to see it.

"Since I joined, a lot has changed, but the support of the Caterpillar family has remained a key part of my journey. And today, we invest in not just skills development but also individual and team support. For example, we have employee resource groups like our Women's Initiative Network and Lambda, which helps to create an inclusive environment for our LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel welcome and included in our business."

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When it comes to finding employees to fill its numerous roles, Caterpillar has ''Talent Acquisition Managers'' which is a great title, and thankfully, Sam was able to introduce me to one of the team, Alison Ward.

Her role is about filling the early talent pipeline in the UK, including apprenticeship, placement and graduate positions.

Explaining the roles and opportunities, Alison said: "Last year saw our largest ever intake of apprentices and graduates, and we are looking to recruit more this year.

“It's an exciting time in the sector at the moment, reflecting the roles we are trying to fill. For example, a lot of our products now use advanced technologies and software, and we are continuing our electrification journey, having recently announced new products.

“This is why we continue to develop our career pathways and support programmes, some of which are designed to rotate individuals through different disciplines.

“This is a great way of getting a full and rounded experience of the Caterpillar business whilst working in inclusive and diverse teams. We also see huge benefits from our dual approach to apprenticeships and graduate training programmes, as these individuals work well together to develop our new products and solutions.

“Much like Sam explained, there is no telling where your career with Caterpillar can lead you. This is why we wanted to use Plantworx as an opportunity for people to speak to our latest recruits and those who have been with the business for some time.

“We have already had some applicants from the show, and there are plenty of roles to fill, so I would encourage anyone to get in touch through our careers’ website www.caterpillar.com/careers“

Sam Mottram

Alison Ward

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Executive Hire Show 2024 – 96% of stands already sold!

The EHS team is excited to announce that the UK’s top hire event is scheduled for the 14th and 15th of February 2024, returning once again to its regular home at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry.

While the UK economy has improved, we're still facing challenges such as rising interest rates. However, the plant hire sector remains strong, continues to do well and is seeing plenty of positive activity. This is great news for everyone involved, from the hire market to the various sectors rely on it. The push for net zero continues to gather pace, and there's a clear increase in interest and investment in alternative energy sources, sustainable solutions and new technologies that promise to revolutionise the way we do business.

Looking back to the recent 'Kick-Off' meeting at CBS Arena in September, there's already a buzz about the 2024 show. 96% of the stands have now been sold and just six stands remain for sale. A total of 24 first-time exhibitors will be joining the show in 2024, pushing the boundaries of innovation and ensuring an ever-changing mix of products to tempt and tantalise EHS visitors. The Kick-Off meeting also saw a great mix of regulars and new faces, all eager to get a piece of the action and do some networking.

Chris Moore, the Show’s Publishing and Events Director, talked about how well previous shows had done and how the 2024 event is already on track to be even better. He mentioned, “Working together made the 2023 show brilliant, and we’re aiming to do it again.” He's also been getting a steady stream of enquiries from top suppliers, suggesting that we're headed for a fully booked show.

Chris added “2023 was a record-breaking year with the show witnessing an overwhelming attendance of over 2,000 hire professionals, a testament to the resilience of the compact plant hire and equipment industry even amidst economic challenges.

The 2023 show set a benchmark, with collaboration at its heart.

We anticipate an even bigger and better event in 2024."

Chris concluded his announcement by encouraging exhibitors to make the most of the event and highlighted the networking opportunities available for attendees.

One of the highlights for 2024 will be the Innovation Trail. Peter Haddock from Content with Media will be back, doing live interviews on the stands that will be shared on social media channels. The focus will be on new tech, sustainability and anything that makes tasks easier, safer or more environmentally friendly. Peter is also planning to create a live blog, which was a big hit at the 2022 event.

Circle 14th and 15th February 2024 on your calendar and join us at the Coventry Building Society Arena. The 2024 show is shaping up to be fantastic, and with Chris Moore and the team leading the way, expectations are high.

For more details on the show and a full exhibitor list, visit www.executivehireshow.co.uk

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Save the Date: Futureworx 2024 at Telford International Centre, Shropshire Following its successful debut in 2022, the Futureworx Technology event is returning, with a focus on a low-carbon future.

Scheduled for the 18th and 19th of September 2024 at the Telford International Centre.

Futureworx 2024 - Driving the Off-Highway Industry Towards Net Zero!

Delivered by the CEA. Theme: Low-Carbon Technology Exhibition & Summit.

When?

Where?

18th & 19th September 2024

Telford International Centre, Shropshire

Join us for this pivotal event following the success of our inaugural Futureworx Technology event in 2022. This summit promises to be an enlightening congregation of minds and innovations, all converging to discuss and drive the Off-Highway sector towards a swift transition to a Net Zero future.

Please mark your calendars and watch out for more details.