The world forklift market is getting excited about IMHX 2004, opening at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on March 2.

The official sponsor, the Fork Lift Truck Association, will have a dedicated stand at the show, featuring a display of scale model forklifts. The FLTA is encouraging members to use its stand as their "base camp" for exploring the rest of the show.

Barloworld and Hyster have joined forces for an assault on the show, adopting a "Smarthandling" central theme, designed to address key aspects of materials handling: cost management, process improvement, and environmental and health & safety concerns.

Hyster's full product line will be on display, and the manufacturer will offer a sneak preview of its JXMT three-wheel battery electric forklift, which is planned for release late this year.

Linde Material Handling UK will use IMHX to showcase its new brand identity, launched in December, which shakes off the Lansing branding from the company.

Linde has also launched a special IMHX logo, said sales and marketing director Stephen Moule.

"IMHX is the main event in the UK materials handling industry calendar. It is an international exhibition as well as a major European event," he said. "IMHX allows us to present and demonstrate everything Linde Material Handling stands for."