More than 6500 square metres of floor space for the 2004 International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) in Birmingham, UK, has already been sold, according to organisers Turret RAI plc.

More than 50 exhibitors from the 2001 event have re-booked, including Atlet, BT Rolatruc, Lansing Linde, JCB, Jungheinrich, Nissan and Toyota. IMHX director Paul Michael said many exhibitors were still "riding high" on the success of the first show. The 2004 event incorporates the International Handling & Storage Exhibition, the United Kingdom's biggest materials handling show.

"The overwhelming success of IMHX 2001 has meant the industry has united around our event, which means we will be able to deliver the best exhibition for the entire materials handling and storage industry in 2004," Mr Michael said