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The seventh edition of the APEX exhibition, held in Maastricht on 14 – 16 September, attracted a healthy number of visitors and reinforced its position as the key meeting place for the access industry.
A total of 4196 industry professionals from 62 different countries visited the show. While the majority of visitors came from Europe, representatives from major rental companies in the Middle East, the US, Australia, Korea and India were present. The show took place with a backdrop of increased investment by rental companies, and this was evident in the number of significant deals sealed during the show. Exhibitors including Niftylift, Bronto Skylift, Palfinger Platforms and Power Towers all reporting significant orders. Organised by IPI, APEX 2011 is the world’s largest dedicated access show, with more than 100 manufacturers and suppliers attending. A spokesman for Palfinger Platforms said the access focus of the show and the profile of the visitors – all professionals with a real interest in the business – made it ‘better for us than Bauma’, while Karin Nars, managing director of Finnish company Dinolift, said: “The show had been very good. We are really satisfied – there were a lot of visitors, and the right visitors.” On the first day Niftylift announced three equipment deals with companies GT Access, Advanced Access Platforms and Facelift. Palfinger announced the sale of eight ‘Jumbo’ platforms to Australian rental company Lincon Hire. Power Towers reported a breakthrough order with Loxam Nederland through its new Netherlands sales company. The show saw some important launches, including new products from Terex AWP, JLG Industries, Ruthmann, Dinolift, Palfinger Platforms, Manitou, PB Lifttechnik, Socage, Sky Aces, Bronto Skylift, GSR and Moba. The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) - an official supporter of the exhibition – launched the ‘Spread the load!’ safety campaign at APEX, which calls for proper ground conditions assessments for the correct use of stabilizers, outriggers and spreader plates. The campaign started as an initiative of the IPAF UK Hire Committee’s Spreader Plates Sub-Group. APEX also provided a launch pad for some important products seen earlier this year in the US. For example, Wayne Lawson, managing director and vice president EAME for JLG Industries, said the show had given it a great opportunity to showcase its new 1500SJ telescopic boom and other products. “The reception of the 1500 has been great. It gives people the opportunity to do nice rental work without there being a set rate – and an opportunity to do something creative.” Tony Kenter, managing director of IPI, the show organizer, said APEX had provided the perfect opportunity – three years after the start of the crisis – for suppliers and buyers to meet to discuss fleet replacement programmes. “Trade shows are designed to connect suppliers and buyers of equipment and services, and APEX was particularly well timed this year as the access industry enters a new cycle of investment and fleet replacement. We were pleased with the level of visitors at the show and the evident amount of business being done on stands – I think it reinforces the benefits of an exhibition that is targeted at a dedicated market.” APEX Charity run raises money for Ronald McDonald Huis During the exhibition, Access International and APEX jointly organized a charity 6 km fun run in to support the Ronald McDonald Huis in Maastricht. The Ronald McDonald Huis provides accommodation for families visiting sick children at Maastricht’s hospital. Following the run, Margo de Kock from the Ronald McDonald Huis accepted a check for € 3690 from Murray Pollok, managing editor of Access International. More than 40 runners completed the 6 km run around the MECC exhibition centre. The winner of the run was José Miguel Peña Haro from Terex/Genie. The sponsors were Bronto Skylift – whose Jan Denks came up with the original idea – JLG Industries, Genie, Power Towers, APEX, Boels Rental, Riwal, KHL Group, MECC and Maison van den Boer. The next APEX show will be held in 2014. |
