The 13th annual Executive Hire show (6 &7 February, Ricoh Arena Coventry) finished on a real high, with 190 exhibitors which included 44 companies who made their show debut. Visitor numbers were also up on last year’s event with 1872 relevant hire industry visitors in attendance.
The show was bustling from the onset with hirers looking to expand their fleets and check out new innovations and launches from the diverse range of exhibitors at the show. There were a record amount of new product launches with a strong focus on safety and environmental solutions.
The event organisers also undertook a complete redesign of the show and the 2019 event revealed a completely new layout and look. It worked – both exhibitors and visitors approved of the revamp and new look.
Mike Brown, Molson Compact Equipment’s Marketing Manager said “The new look of the show has made it feel like a brand-new event – but with the same successful formula! The restructure of the show made you see new faces. It was good to see such a diverse sector of visitors from the large National hire companies to small independent hirers. We received some good leads and enquiries and there was plenty of interest in the Kobelco machinery which was the first time the brand had been shown at the EHS.”
Molson Compact Equipment also made a number of sales at the show, Mike added, “We sold 10 ATR Rammers which were going to work on a Virgin Media cabling contract. We also sold a 3-tonne Kobelco to a hire company in the North of England.”
Morris Site Machinery International Business Director, Phil Winnington said, “The new layout worked well, and the show looked fresh. The new format also took away the predictability of other years. The volume of visitors was consistent with previous years and decision makers were in attendance. Morris Site Machinery is happy to support the show again in 2020.”
Bomag’s National Sales Manager, Simon Kennedy also had a good show, he said, “We have welcomed the location change of our stand – it has been great, and we have seen some good people over the three-days. We have had a steady flow of visitors and the last day of the show was far busier than expected – the EHS never fails to deliver.”
Simon added, “We also had a lot of interest in the zero HAV equipment which was a key focus for us at the show.”
Altrad Belle had a very busy few days and all the kit on the companies stand was sold and heading off to hire companies nationwide directly after the show! Altrad Belle, Managing Director Ray Neilson commented on the event, “We always launch new products at the show – new products bring new customers. We have seen all the major hire and independent hire companies from nationwide. We sold our first two bowser pressure washers BWX 15/250 models directly off our stand to Wicklow Hire & Sales in Ireland. Our Irish dealer, Daly Industrial Supply Company, based in Cork, closed the deal on the stand.”
Neil concluded, “The 2019 EHS was very worthwhile for Altrad Belle and we will be back in 2020 and we are already looking forward to the event.”
Social media platforms were buzzing following the event – here’s just a small selection of tweets from exhibitors;
https://twitter.com/MakitaUK/status/1093798145694281728
https://twitter.com/aemspain/status/1093800676512153602
Thank you @ExecHireShow for another brilliant event. It was great to see lots of faces, both familiar and new.
— Prodem Attachments (@PRODEMattach) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/BraviPlatforms/status/1093825510499586048
What a week that was over @ExecHireShow 2019 great to meet up with so many friends to #talkdumpers.
Congratulations to the organisers for another top event, here's to next year. #Toolhire #Planthire #exclusivelydumpers pic.twitter.com/a0MyyOp3RB— Site Dumpers (@ThwaitesDumpers) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/MHMLimited/status/1093621358439907329
The Executive Hire Show would not be complete without the ‘Passionate Hire Awards’, which take place at a celebration event on the first evening of the show. The winners of this year’s awards were;
Rocket Rentals, based in Gloucestershire, won ‘The Outstanding Single Depot Hirer’, which was sponsored by Mace Industries and presented by Luke Mace.
The ‘Outstanding Multi Depot Hire’ Award, sponsored by Plantworx Construction Exhibition 2019, presented by Plantworx Sales Manager Angela Spink, was awarded to KDM Hire, based in Northern Ireland.
The ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ Award at the Executive Hire Show 2019 was presented to a company that goes that extra mile for their customers – Swansea based, Miles Hire.
The final award of the evening was the ‘John Jennings Crosshire’ Award, which was presented to Gap Group Managing Director, Iain Anderson.
Executive Hire Show Director, Craig Donovan said, “The Executive Hire Show team would like to thank all exhibitors for supporting the 2019 Show and embracing the new layout and design – we are delighted with the feedback we have received. We are pleased to confirm that the 2019 Show attracted 1872 relevant hire industry visitors. This is marginally up on last year and consistent with other years.”
Craig pointed out that this figure does not include training providers, asset financiers and recruitment companies, who were allowed entry as non-exhibiting suppliers during the afternoon on the final day. Media and Public Relation personnel were also excluded from the visitor numbers.
Craig added, “86% of all relevant hire industry visitors were from independent operations, re-confirming the pivotal role of local and regional hirers in the on-going success of the Show. This also demonstrates the Show’s continued ability to attract relevant, quality hire executives.”
The Executive Hire Show has confirmed that the 14th annual event will take place on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th February 2020 – at the home of hire at the Ricoh Arena Coventry once again. Booking for the 2020 Show will start during March 2019.
