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PlantWorx 2023, held from 13th to 15th June at the East of England Arena & Events Centre in Peterborough, was a resounding success. The event featured sunny conditions, which added an extra layer of excitement. It attracted approximately 14,000 attendees, including 10,000 unique visitors. Attendees explored a diverse range of state-of-the-art machinery and innovative products.

The event was attended by industry-leading machinery OEMs, who showcased their electrification strategies for off-road vehicles and equipment. Visitors were impressed by the exhibits, which included demonstrations from renowned brands such as Hitachi Construction Machinery and the Chinese heavyweights XCMG, who were attending PlantwWorx for the first time. Other prominent names present included Caterpillar, Hidromek, Hydrema, Hyundai, SMT (Volvo), Takeuchi, SANY, Sunward Europe, Liugong, Mecalac, Yanmar Compact Equipment, Kubota, Develon (formerly Doosan), Bobcat, AVANT, BOMAG, Brokk UK, RSP Suction Excavators, Merlo, Manitou, and many more.

Suneeta Johal, the former CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, praised the event, stating,: "I was truly impressed by the innovative technology showcased, the industry recognition through our innovation awards, and the significant deals made. I also received excellent 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."

Industry leaders such as National Highways and Costain supported the show and facilitated extensive networking opportunities. The event drew participants from various national and international organisations, including a significant delegation from Mongolia, emphasising its global appeal and reach.

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2023 features

Onsite Awards

Onsite Awards

At PlantWorx 2023, awards were given to exhibitors who impressed the judges with their stands and demonstration areas. These awards were presented at the Exhibitor's Reception on the event's first evening. Radiodetection won the Best Indoor Static Stand and was praised for its welcoming setup and approachable staff. Xwatch Safety Solutions was awarded Best Outdoor Static Stand, which was noted for its innovative use of materials and the tranquil upstairs mezzanine.

Develon secured the Best Use of an Outdoor Demo Area, recognised for the stand's impressive design and effective demonstration of its equipment. Fuchsia Events was awarded the Outstanding Contractor Award for their impeccable site management and service.

Owen Mays from Takeuchi won the Best Demonstrator (Operator) Award for his skilled operation of the TB395-W excavator and his expert use of the Engcon Tiltrotator, which demonstrated both flexibility and precision.

Brand new Operator Challenge – Awesome Earthmovers

Brand new Operator Challenge – Awesome Earthmovers

The Operator Challenge Zone, presented by Awesome Earthmovers and sponsored by Hyundai, was the event's focal point. It attracted hundreds of operators and numerous influencers to the bustling PlantWorx ‘speedway area.’ The atmosphere was lively and full of camaraderie as participants tackled timed challenges using Hyundai machinery

The event featured guest appearances from several top UK social media personalities. Among them were Amy Underwood, also known as Amy the Digger Girl; Conor Kelly, better known as Conor the Digger Driver; Lloyd Peckham, recognised as Bearded Excavation; Kurt Mills, popularly known as Lord Muck; Lana Edwards, who operates under the moniker Tracklass1; and the emerging talent, Ben ‘The Operator’ Wade, who shows great promise in his career.

Adding to the excitement, Reuben Owen from Channel 5’s Life on the Farm also participated in the competition broadcast on Channel 5.

A key highlight was the contest between Conor and Lloyd, dubbed the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. This contest was eagerly anticipated and extensively covered on Instagram and TikTok. Lloyd, or Bearded Excavation, emerged victorious in a closely fought battle.

Get Connected Zone

Get Connected Zone

The companies’ stands in the indoor arena had been buzzing with visitors. The technology presented is set to change the future of construction. The newly inaugurated Get Connected Zone brought together companies with innovative delivery 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 in the Get Connected Zone. They teamed up to offer a new approach to the connected worksite, integrating sensors from machines to people into a unified data-driven dashboard.

Outside in the Get Connected Zone, key sponsors included Leica Geosystems, Conquip, Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe, and Ongrade MC (Thomas Plant).

 

 

 

 

 

Simulation Zone

Simulation Zone

The Simulation Zone at Plantworx, a state-of-the-art training platform for construction professionals hosted by Plantforce Rentals, returned triumphantly 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, familiarise themselves with machine control systems and advanced technologies, and gain insights into the construction world.

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.

 


 

Innovation Award Winners

Innovation Award Winners

The 2023 PlantWorx Innovation Awards highlighted key innovations in the construction equipment sector, celebrating commitment to safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The event included seven categories, recognising industry advancements with awards for winners, runners-up, and commendable entries. Shaun Wallace from The Chase hosted the ceremony.

In the Non-Operated Plant & Support Products category, sponsored by Datatag, Elite GSS won with their Hi-Vis Ballast Block, a water-filled stabilizer using recycled materials. Hydrotechnik was the runner-up with their hydraulic pressure test kit.

Lifos won the Best Environmental Initiative award for its off-grid power storage system, and Auger Torque was runner-up for its recycling crusher bucket.

Spillard Safety Systems claimed the Safety category with its AI Human Detection System, and Onwave was also recognised for its geofencing solution.

Technological advancements were acknowledged, and MachineMax and MP Filtri received commendations for their digital innovations.

Digger Guard won the Best Security Initiative for their Vandal Guard system.

In Engineering & Design, Digga Europe's HALO System and Mecalac's Revotruck jointly won, and Manitou was also commended.

For Training & Skills Development, Leica Geosystems and Flannery Plant Hire were joint winners.

Special Recognition Awards went to British Steel for its quality control technology, Xerotech for its adaptable battery platform, and the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance for its humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Primary Engineer & Student Day

Primary Engineer & Student Day

On 15th June, the PlantWorx Construction Exhibition wrapped up with a Primary Engineer STEM challenge, where 40 students from local schools demonstrated their engineering skills by showcasing dumper trucks and lighthouses.

This event, hosted by PlantWorx and supported by the CEA, saw participation and sponsorship from companies such as Caterpillar, Datatag, GAP, Gomaco, Mecalac, Flannery, and Xwatch as sponsors and judges.

The competition included practical tests for the students’ creations, assessing how well the trucks manoeuvered and the stability of the lighthouses. This initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage interest in STEM subjects and address the skills shortage in the construction industry.

Nigel Baseley of the CEA praised the initiative for making engineering accessible and engaging for young students.

The day also featured the PlantWorx Student Trail, where school groups and young attendees explored different exhibitor stands, participated in challenges, and collected giveaways, enhancing their understanding of the construction sector and its technological advances.

The event focused on competition and inspiring the next generation with practical learning experiences and a deeper insight into the construction industry’s crucial role in infrastructure development.


 

2023 in pictures

2023 exhibitors

   

At PlantWorx 2023, many technological innovations were displayed, from new electric machines to renewable energy solutions. 

With over 300 exhibitors (including 100 new exhibitors), PlantWorx 2023 received immense praise from participants and attendees alike. Positive feedback flooded 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.

PlantWorx exhibitors were equally complimentary of the show—many reported that it had been their best yet and that the visitors who visited the company’s stand were serious buyers.

PlantWorx also served as the stage for announcing the 600,000th machine protected by the CEA’s CESAR Scheme, a leading solution in machinery anti-theft. Manitou were awarded a symbolic CESAR ID plate, numbered 600,000. 

Visitors also had a fantastic experience at the show

The PlantWorx 2023 event was a big hit among visitors. 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 its 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.

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. And for all of your very kind comments – you really are the best kind of visitor!

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 first Takeuchi TB395W, to the largest fleet of 10 tonne wheeled excavators in the UK

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