According to an independent survey, IMHX 2010 is set to receive tens of thousands of visitors planning to purchase new materials handling equipment. Further proof then, that this year's IMHX has been timed just right for exhibitors wishing to take advantage of the UK's return to growth.

To say 2009 was a bleak year in business is no meagre statement. According to figures from the British Industrial Truck Association, BITA, orders for forklift trucks fell by more than a third. And this came on top of a 14.5% fall in 2008!

But 2009 is now over and 2010 is looking much more positive. James Clark, Secretary General of BITA, believes there are reasons to be optimistic. "For some truck categories," he says, "the market has stabilised and is hopefully set to begin to show a positive trend. The markets for powered pallet trucks, pedestrian stackers and low level order pickers display such a pattern."

David Ellison, Chief Executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association, FLTA, says his association's members are showing "cautious optimism." Ellison believes that most FLTA members have been able to ride the storm of significantly lower sales and long-term leasing volumes through having a good mix of sales and service operations.

Sally Baker, Marketing Manager at Caterpillar forklifts distributor, Briggs Equipment UK Ltd, agrees: "Our used equipment and short term hire divisions are enjoying a purple patch." She continues: "Another area that is proving to be a really pleasant surprise is the engineering services market. Our field engineers are a highly skilled customer-facing team and through their hard work and innovation we can, as a company, service almost any mobile or fixed plant from a lift truck to a roller shutter, to a generator."

When it comes to new truck sales, there is definite optimism among companies exhibiting at IMHX 2010 (NEC Birmingham, 16-19 November). Simon Emery, Managing Director of Crown Lift Trucks UK Ltd, says: "There is, without a doubt, an increase in activity and enquiries across the board. IMHX seems to be timed right to ride the tide of an improving market."

Martin McVicar, Managing Director of Combilift Ltd, agrees that IMHX will provide the perfect platform for business as the economy revives. "The November timing for IMHX will be beneficial for both exhibitors and visitors," he says, adding that his firm is "confident that the UK market will be showing a very visible bounce-back prior to November."

These statements agree with an independent poll conducted last month to gauge expected visitor numbers to IMHX 2010 and their requirements over the next two years. The overwhelming majority (80%) responded positively when asked whether they and/or their colleagues would be attending IMHX 2010.

From the same survey, over 70% of respondents plan to make purchases of new logistics and materials handling equipment in the next two years - the top category of which was forklift trucks. It appears then, that IMHX 2010 is not only taking place at the right time for UK recovery, but will attract thousands of the right people - people planning to purchase new equipment.

IMHX 2010 is set to feature over 300 exhibitors promoting a diverse range of products and services from across the logistics sector. Exhibits will not just include forklift trucks, but automated materials handling systems; health and safety; software solutions; racking and shelving; loading bay solutions; storage systems; pallets and palletising equipment; property; recruitment and training services; third party logistics; transport and distribution; flooring; packaging; handling system design; financial services; and warehousing.


For further information on exhibiting at IMHX 2010, contact Rob Fisher on + 44 1895 454600 or visit www.imhx.biz