With signs that the economy is strengthening at last, the UK supply chain industry is gearing up for its flagship exhibition, the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX), which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 16-19 November.
The CBI’s Quarterly Industrial Trends Survey recently brought the encouraging news that the manufacturing sector saw output rise at the fastest rate in 15 years. This returning strength to the heart of the UK economy is absolutely key to further recovery, so manufacturers continue to need to seek ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Many industry pundits believe that the greatest area of potential for cost reduction lies within the supply chain, a fact that makes a visit to IMHX 2010 a worthwhile investment for many.
Taking place only once every three years, IMHX is the UK’s leading logistics event, with over 300 of the industry’s major players exhibiting thousands of products and services. Co-owned by the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), the exhibition is the event of choice for virtually every forklift manufacturer and is a Mecca for suppliers of a huge and diverse range of materials handling products and services – from pallet racking to automated handling systems and from software to leasing solutions.
With nearly a third of the show’s visitors involved in manufacturing, IMHX is working closely with The Manufacturer as its media partner for this sector.
Handling industry shows optimism
Exhibitors are buoyant about the business opportunities that await them at IMHX 2010. After a disastrous year in 2009 – when orders for forklifts fell by over 33%, consolidating a 14.5% fall during 2008 – Britain’s materials handling industry is now in recovery. James Clark, Secretary General of BITA, believes exhibitors are right to be optimistic.
“Recent economic forecasts,” he explains, “provide evidence of encouraging trends, with orders for counterbalance trucks expected to increase by over 15 per cent during 2010 and those for warehouse trucks by almost eight per cent.” This view is supported by research commissioned among IMHX visitors recently by the show’s organisers. A large majority (71%) said that they had plans to purchase new logistics or materials handling equipment in either 2011 or 2012, with nearly 15% of respondents expecting to spend in excess of £1 million. Some 33% of those intending to purchase new equipment indicated that this was in order to replace existing equipment, 29% said it was to improve their existing handling processes and 25% stated it was to expand their current capacity. Over 47% of respondents planning to purchase equipment in 2011 expected to have a larger logistics and materials handling budget than in 2010, with a further 40% expecting to have about the same budget in 2011 as they have had this year.
Commenting on the survey results, Rob Fisher, event director for IMHX 2010, says, “We are heartened by the results of this research, which shows that the economy really is improving at grass roots level. It’s great news for our exhibitors that visitors are coming to the show with specific equipment requirements and budgets in place.
We’re also delighted that an impressive two-thirds of respondents agreed that IMHX is the best place to find new suppliers of logistics and materials handling equipment.”
Everything for today’s supply chain operations – under one roof!
IMHX – the International Materials Handling Exhibition – is a must-see event for logistics professionals. Taking place only once every three years, IMHX is the UK’s premier logistics, materials handling and storage exhibition, showcasing thousands of products and services from right across the supply chain.
IMHX 2010 will provide visitors with a unique one-stop-shop for everything required in the modern warehouse. Not only will there be materials handling equipment – from forklift trucks to automated logistics systems – but visitors will also discover innovative and cost-effective ideas in racking and shelving; storage solutions; health and safety systems; software; pallets and palletising equipment; property; recruitment and training services; third party logistics; transport and distribution; flooring; packaging; handling system design; financial services; and warehousing.
Focus on cost savings
The global downturn has renewed the focus of UK industry on cost reduction and, in response, many materials handling suppliers are marketing innovative solutions that will minimise logistics costs for both production plants and distribution centres.
Why you should visit IMHX 2010
● It is the No.1 place to meet suppliers and manufacturers and network with new contacts.
● Over 300 exhibitors showing all of the latest products, services and state of the art technology.
● You can see 1000’s of new products and services gaining firsthand experience.
● These four days of everything logistics and materials handling only happens every three years with the next show not until 2013!
● With over 20,000 logistics professionals together in one place – can you afford to miss out?
Pre-register now for FREE
With thousands of products featured and many shown in live demonstrations, visitors to IMHX will gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into what’s hot and what future logistics trends are likely to be. Visitors who pre-register for free tickets to attend IMHX 2010 will receive a special Priority Pass pack by post before the event containing their delegate badge, the ‘Little Black Book’ of handling industry contacts, a fold-out exhibition floor plan and key details of the show’s environmental zone.
To pre-register, visit www.imhx.biz
Recommended Exhibitors at IMHX 2010
EHC Teknik – Stand 20B28
EHC Teknik has developed and manufactured filter systems for exhaust emission control on vehicles since 1983. The company produces a range of exhaust filters and cleaners for indoor driving of vehicles of all sizes and types. The company’s ISO 9000 compliant Filter System has been specially prepared to counteract environmental problems caused by exhaust emissions from vehicles, which drive short distances indoors and outdoors. The company currently manufactures a standard range of products, but can also provide a design service for clients who require a bespoke product for exhaust gas purification.
DLoG (UK) – Stand 18M175
DLoG (UK) operates in the warehousing and logistics sector, with specialisation ranging from ports to distribution centres, as well as manufacturing. DLoG will be exhibiting its extensive range of vehicle mount industrial computers designed specifically for the unique demands of the warehousing and logistics environment.
The hardware provided by DLoG is known for its quality and high engineering standards. The products are highly configurable and are ideal for daily logistics tasks in the distribution centre, port or warehouse, and are even suitable for use in a deep-freeze warehouse environment.
CI Logistics – Stand 19L147
CI Logistics is a market-leading UK supplier and manufacturer of quality materials handling and storage systems. Supplying equipment internationally including overhead conveyors, floor conveyors, garment conveyors and storage systems; the company also has an in-house electrical controls design and build service enabling it to provide innovative solutions to all materials handling challenges. CI Logistics fully understands the effect repair and maintenance downtime can have on delivery targets and offers a comprehensive spares supply and preventative breakdown service.
Calor Gas – Stand 18M130
Since 1935, Calor has provided innovative solutions to homes and businesses. For users of forklift trucks, Calor LPG is the ideal solution, with different supply options to suit individual needs. If your operation of forklift trucks is kept to a minimum, exchangable cylinders are the ideal solution. Alternatively, for larger operations, Calor also offers a bulk tank installation solution with re-fillable cylinders. For those looking to minimise their impact on the environment, LPG is the cleanest fuel when compared to diesel and electric (SAP, 2005). So in sensitive environments, Calor LPG is the ideal choice.
SDI Group – Stand 18N160
SDI Group UK is a leading provider of systems and solutions for all aspects of distribution centre materials handling. As a leading systems integrator in the UK and the USA, the SDI Group designs and builds bespoke materials handling solutions for distribution centres, principally for general merchandise retailers.
Built on its strong consultancy skills, the Group provides solutions to customers’ warehousing needs, ranging from initial consultancy services that identify and highlight these needs, to maintenance and technical support post-implementation.
COMBILIFT – Stand 19K130
Combilift, the manufacturer of customised 4-way handling equipment, offers forklifts with lift capacities from 2.5t to 25t, plus specialist products designed for container handling. Designed for the space saving handling of long and bulky loads, the company focus is on safer handling procedures and increased productivity.
The award winning counterbalance design 4-way Combi-CB, Combilift’s smallest product, will be on display at IMHX and is now available with capacities of 3t and 4t, with diesel, LPG or electric power options.
George UTZ – Stand 18N158
George Utz has been well known for many years as a manufacturer of high quality handling solutions for UK and European industry sectors including: automotive, retail, postal services and distribution. Products include containers and inserts, pallets, dollies and pallet boxes. The company can supply customer-specific products in any colour and with any logo using most advanced technology for branding, including in-mould labelling, which allows inclusion of high-quality graphics.
CLICK Reply – Stand 20D135
CLICK Reply has extended its very successful supply chain execution business to the United Kingdom and Ireland. With over 3000 customers and 12,000 users in retail fashion, grocery and consumer goods; automotive production lines and spare parts management; third party logistics and manufacturing, Reply has an enviable track record of increasing the performance its customers’ supply chain.
The CLICK Reply suite is a functionally rich warehouse management product, developed over the last 15 years to meet its customer requirements. Technically advanced, it is fully configurable, deployable quickly and represents a low total cost of ownership.
Soft Design RTS AB – Stand 18M172
Soft Design is a leading Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) supplier based in Gothenburg Sweden, with over 20 years of experience in the AGV business. Soft Design supply AGV Systems throughout Europe to major system integrators or direct, delivering high quality AGV manufacturing and software. AGVs work without breaks or holidays 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year, and while many companies have not considered implementing AGVs thinking they may be too expensive for them, this is quite often not the case. Once installed an AGV system is highly likely to last for 20 years or more.
Palletblocker Quarantine Systems – Stand 20G8
Palletblocker has created the world’s first commercially available lockable pallet quarantine device. With Palletblocker, goods can be held securely in their current warehouse locations, removing the need for dedicated quarantine areas, helping to maximise warehouse space utilisation and save on extraneous pallet movements. Most companies rely upon electronic or paperwork quarantine systems to prevent out of specification products reaching the market. Palletblocker adds another level of protection and is a highly visible and tough barrier to fork-lift entry. In operations that have a seasonal workforce this back-up to existing quarantine systems provides invaluable protection for supply chains.
