The need to move with the times?
31 January 2014Welcome to this year’s final issue of Hoist. It has been 12 months characterised by innovation, developments, acquisitions and growth. Rather fittingly, all of these factors were perfectly encapsulated at November’s LiftEx exhibition, which took place at Bolton’s USN Arena in the UK.
As I discuss in the first of our post-show reviews, it is testament to the pulling power of the event that it can attract exhibitors from as far afield North America, Australia and Hong Kong, especially during the UK's winter months.
While the economic slowdown has resulted in companies reassessing their trade show presence, it is clear that certain events such as LiftEx remain at the forefront of many exhibitor's agendas. The same applies to visitors, with this year's iteration easily surpassing the number it attracted during 2012's Coventry show.
It is interesting then that LiftEx 2014 will be co-locating with Safety & Health Expo at London's ExCeL next June.
Organisers are pitching the all new event as one that offers a unique opportunity for the lifting and handling suppliers that are "ready to propel" their companies into the limelight of the health and safety market.
While there is expected to be an increased visitor footprint across both events, around 25 times that of the current LiftEx show,change is always something that takes some getting used to.
One exhibitor, who asked to remain anonymous, is yet to be convinced by the new direction. "From speaking to other exhibitors at this year's event, there seemed to be quite some grumbling about the LiftEx co-exhibiting with the safety show," they said. "The fear is Liftex will be overshadowed by the much bigger safety show, and it may lose it relevance."
Others raised concerns that the London location will prevent as many UK companies from exhibiting and attending the event. However, attracting a greater international footprint will benefit the show and offering exhibitors the chance to reach the increased audience this show will bring can only be a good thing. For now though, it's a great job done by the team behing LiftEx 2013.
Elsewhere in this issue, we take a look at Germany's long tradition of heavy engineering and how it it remains one of the main producers for crane hoists and equipment worldwide thanks to companies such as Terex-Demag, Abus, Vetter, Hadef and Stahl CraneSystems.
We also look at some of the the latest developments in the brakes sector.
Until next time, enjoy you issue and I hope that the next 12 months are successful both for you and your business.
Tim Sheahan, Deputy Editor
