IMHX factor

Taking place every three years, the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) is held at the NEC, Birmingham, and is the main UK showcase for the best of the sector's products and services to help move goods around the factory, the warehouse and the supply chain. The event is co-owned by BITA, the British Industrial Truck Association, so it's no surprise that forklift truck manufacturers and distributors feature prominently, but the 300-strong exhibitor list extends way beyond forklift truck manufacturers to transport and distribution firms, suppliers of cranes, racking systems, loading bay equipment, warehouse management software systems, safety equipment, training providers and more besides. New for the 2010 event is the introduction of an awards scheme, entitled Design 4 Safety. The scheme aims to promote the importance of product design in improving safety standards. Exhibitors are able to enter their products in the competition and there are four categories: industrial trucks, racking and storage, automation and, lastly, technology (IT products). Judging will be undertaken by an independent panel of materials handling and health and safety experts, chaired by a representative from the Health and Safety Executive. The winning products or services will be those deemed to provide the strongest evidence of a measurable contribution to either the level of safety awareness or the rate of incident reduction. Winners will be announced on the first day of the show at a VIP awards breakfast. Recognising the importance of automation in the sector, the show will feature a special pavilion dedicated to the Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA) and its member companies, which form 10% of the exhibitors. The pavilion will feature a large number of the association's members – in stands arranged around a central hospitality area. Graham Watts, AMHSA secretary, said: "By concentrating the presence of automation providers in one zone at the show, the AMHSA pavilion will provide a highly visible platform from which to promote automated logistics within the UK's premier materials handling event." The event's exclusive VIP valet parking service will return this year, sponsored by Toyota Material Handling UK. VIPs will be able to drive directly to the door of hall 18 at the NEC;; their vehicle will be parked for them and returned to the door on leaving the exhibition, ensuring a hassle-free experience. VIP guests will also have access to the IMHX Premier Club Lounge, which offers complimentary refreshments and internet facilities. A full list of exhibitors is available on the show's website, but here's a taster of what visitors can expect to find. Advanced Handling designs and manufactures equipment which is custom built to specific requirements. For example, the company recently supplied Coca-Cola Enterprises with 13 pit-mounted static scissor lift tables, each with a capacity of 1,000kg and a lifting height of 1.6m. Irish specialist manufacturer Aisle-Master will be demonstrating AC electric and LPG powered models from its range at this year's show. Occupying two large stands with its affiliated company Combilift, Aisle-Master will be offering Irish hospitality as well as unveiling new models. Combilift's exhibits will include the award-winning counterbalance design four-way Combi-CB, now available with capacities of 3 and 4 tonne; the original 4-tonne capacity C4,000; a four-way sideloader, plus a selection of larger Combilifts for heavier duty applications with lift capacities of 6 tonnes and more. Automated control systems specialist Autotech Controls has considerable experience in the automotive sector. Recently implemented projects for the Luton-based company include the body shop for the new Jaguar XJ in Castle Bromwich and an automated small box store for Bentley in Crewe. In addition, Autotech's latest orders include the electrical installation services for the handling equipment at Ford's new paint shop in Craiova, Romania; Robcad simulation, robot programming and PLC development for the body sides production lines of the new small Land Rover at Halewood; and the control system for an extension to an overhead conveyor system for Bentley. Conveyor Systems will be exhibiting a range of bespoke conveying solutions. Since introducing 3D visualisation software, Conveyor Systems can design a working model for virtually any conveying solution together with the interfaces to other handling equipment such as live storage and robotic handling/palletising systems. This new customised design service can be viewed as CAD drawings or real-time video clips, enabling customers to evaluate proposals in terms of throughputs and product sortation. Visitors to the stand will be able to see information on recent installations involving pallet handling conveyors being decanted into carton live storage racking for selection, order picking, packaging and despatch via a series of integrated gravity, powered accumulation and high speed sortation conveyors. As well as a stand in the AMHSA pavilion, Dematic will be in the main exhibition area showing visitors its products such as voice picking technology, warehouse management software and conveyor systems, as well as its automated system integration capability. Korean forklift manufacturer Doosan will be exhibiting several models, including options from its Pro-5 higher specification series as well as from the entry-level GX range. Manufacturer and supplier of scissor lifts and loading bay equipment, Edmolift UK will be launching its MultiDock loading bay lift at IMHX 2010. Requiring virtually no installation, Edmolift says the MultiDock can be installed and operating within 15 minutes of delivery. With twin operator safety zones and a full perimeter safety edge, roll cages are offloaded in complete safety by one man in half the usual time, say the firm. Energy specialist Exide Technologies (CMP Batteries) will be demonstrating its range of batteries and chargers at the show. The theme of the stand will be 'Energy from Exide' and the organisation will be demonstrating its capability for all applications – motive power, standby power and renewable energy. Exide will be focusing on how its products can help to save money and cut carbon – high frequency chargers, for example, can cut power consumption by 11%. Modern lithium ion batteries will be on display from Exide's new division ReStore Energy Systems. Visitors can also find out about its recently launched rental scheme, called Powergap, which means battery fleets can be increased at peak times of the year. Visitors with a thirst for knowledge may wish to stop at the Hoppecke Industrial Batteries stand, which will be home to the 'Hop-Inn' watering hole. Hoppecke's managing director Bernard Molloy extends a welcome to all visitors and his team will be revealing new initiatives that the battery and charging system business has for products, services and environmental commitments. The twin themes of the Jungheinrich stand at IMHX will be high productivity and low cost of ownership. Among the trucks on display will be tow tractors, reach trucks, low level order pickers, powered pallet trucks – including a lithium Ion-powered pallet truck concept – and a range of very narrow aisle stackers including the recently launched EKS series which uses RFID. There will also be a strong focus on counterbalanced trucks. Among the three and four wheel machines on show will be Jungheinrich's VFG range of IC engine-powered counterbalance trucks which, thanks to their hydrostatic drive, are ideal products for applications where a lot of shuttling work is involved – such as lorry loading and unloading within and around a busy warehouse or factory environment. Used equipment from Jungheinrich's Ready to Go range will also be on display, with a 'cut-away' truck illustrating the thorough rebuild process that all Jungheinrich used equipment goes through before being starting its second life. If vertical storage solutions are on the agenda, visitors can see the Shuttle XP and the new Megamat RS on the Kardex stand. The Megamat RS is available from this month and will be making its debut at the show: Kardex says it is greener than its predecessor, being 50% lighter and using 40% less power. On show for the first time in the UK will be Kasto's Unitower C automated storage and retrieval system. Originally designed for holding sheet metal as well as other items such as boxes, drums and pallets, the tower is now also available for storing bar and other long stock. The Linpac group will be showcasing its racking and storage, environmental materials handling, recycling products and returnable transit packaging. Linpac Storage Systems, Linpac Allibert and Linpac Environmental will be sharing a large stand, part constructed from two-tier racking and shelving from the range and incorporating a large mezzanine hospitality area. Mentor Training will be promoting its training services for all types of materials handling, workplace transport and mobile plant equipment including forklift trucks, access platforms and overhead cranes. There are several variations of the Flexi truck, which will be demonstrated on the Narrow Aisle stand. The company has recently supplied its articulated forklift trucks to the Leipzig factory of automotive components supplier Magna Intier, where they are used to deliver components from an on-site warehouse directly to the assembly line. The Mezz Lift from Penny Hydraulics offers a simple, safe and efficient way to handle loads up to 500kg between floors, including ground and mezzanine level. It can be installed indoors or out, in any location where there is access to a standard 240V 13A power supply, without any need to excavate a floor pit. Explosion protection company Pyroban will be showing visitors some of the latest ATEX-compliant equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Pyroban converts all types of forklifts and other materials handling equipment so they are safe for operation where flammable material is being handled or stored. The company will also be promoting its DSEAR/ATEX consulting and training services to help businesses manage explosion risks. RTITB is the largest forklift truck training accreditation body in the UK and Ireland. The organisation will be on hand to discuss with visitors its NORS and MDRS registration systems and the RTITB Academy, which provides road, freight and logistics training. Temporary buildings supplier Spaciotempo UK will be promoting the benefits of modular buildings for a variety of logistics operations, including unloading and loading vehicles. Functional, safe and cost effective, Spaciotempo temporary buildings can be specified with standard side heights up to 6m or 7-8m on special order to ensure they can accommodate the largest high-sided vehicles. The buildings or canopies can also be gutter-linked together, ensuring whole fleets can use the facility at any one time, with high quality lighting allowing round-the-clock use. The SSI Schaefer stand promises to be packed full of storage solutions. High-tech automated systems will feature alongside more traditional products, all manufactured within the group. Equipment on show will include the Orbiter system, a deep pallet storage and retrieval device; a silent conveyor system for quieter picking environments; i-Pick, a cost-effective, entry-level pick-by-light system; Robo Pick, the first fully automatic picking cell which can be integrated with existing warehouse systems; and Schaefer's extensive plastic container range. The Toyota Material Handling stand will provide the first opportunity for visitors to see the full range of Toyota counterbalance forklifts and tow tractors and BT warehouse equipment since the integration of Toyota Industrial Equipment and BT Rolatruc in 2007. With the theme 'stronger together', the Toyota Material Handling UK stand will combine product displays with masterclass workshops (see box item) and live demonstration areas. The live demos will focus on various product ranges including hand pallet trucks, counterbalance forklifts and warehouse trucks, and a virtual warehouse. Toyota will also be unveiling its new Traigo HT electric counterbalance forklift. This high tonnage electric truck with load capacities from 6.5 – 8.5 tonne is designed to provide a heavy-duty electric alternative to engine-powered forklifts. The Versatile Flooring Company will be demonstrating its range of products, including Ecotile interlocking and anti-slip industrial flooring. This tough and flexible flooring solution is manufactured from hard-wearing, oil- and chemical-resistant PVC and is ideal for production environments. Visitors who pre-register for the show will receive a priority pass pack. This passport-style wallet contains items to maximise value from the show, including a book of handling industry contacts, a fold-out exhibition floor plan and key details of the show's environmental zone, a new feature for this event. IMHX 2010 will work towards being a carbon neutral event by offsetting the CO2 produced through staging the show and through visitor travel to the venue. At the environmental zone, sponsored by Shell Gas (LPG), visitors will be able to offset their show travel footprint – at no cost – using a web-based carbon calculator. Working with an accredited carbon offset partner, the show's organisers will then offset the CO2 resulting from the exhibition by planting trees within the UK. Lastly, but worthy of mention, the organisers of IMHX have chosen Help for Heroes as the event's official charity. The choice is fitting, given the logistics industry's military origins, and the organisers will be asking exhibitors and visitors to dig deep for fundraising activities throughout the four days. Your at-a-glance guide What? International Materials Handling Exhibition – IMHX 2010 Where? NEC Birmingham When? 16-19 November 09:30-17:00 (closing 15:00 last day) How? Register online at www.imhx.biz Learning opportunity Visitors to the show will be able to learn about the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) and try their hand at a manufacturing game which demonstrates the value of make to order versus batch manufacturing. Toyota Material Handling will be staging workshops in its seminar theatre located on the stand, the first of which will be on the TPS – more than a manufacturing process, TPS is the business philosophy that influences every aspect of the Toyota organisation. The manufacturing game simulates good and bad processes and enables participants to grasp the fundamentals of a pull production system. There will be two further workshops: one on managing assets, which will include a demonstration of Toyota's I_Site system to optimise fleet use; and the other on driving down costs. The latter will also serve as the launch for Toyota's 'pride in performance' programme, which promotes best practice and focuses on reducing equipment damage. Tony Wallis, operations director, says: "In addition to viewing models on our main stand, visitors will be able to see how Toyota can specifically improve their business operations and drive down costs through our hands-on workshops." Workshop places are limited: register online at www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk