CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 sets attendance, exhibit space records
More than 144,600 industry professionals from around the world attended CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008 during their five-day run March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 covered more than 2.28 million net square feet of exhibits, taken by 2,182 exhibitors, and was 21 percent bigger than the last show, held in 2005.
IFPE 2008 was also the largest in its history with more than 129,000 net square feet of exhibit space used by 469 exhibitors — a 16 percent increase in space compared to 2005.
International Attendance
A record number of international industry professionals visited the shows — more than 28,000, which is more than 19 percent of total attendance and represents more than 30 percent growth compared to the last edition of the shows. International attendance increased by more than 50 percent from the Latin America and Caribbean marketplace, and doubled from China, India and Turkey. There were also significant increases from Canada, Australia, Russia and the Middle East, to name just a few.
International visitors to the shows hailed from more than 130 non-U.S.
countries. There were more than 60 official international customer delegations organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as well as in-country trade associations and related groups.
Exhibit Features
The show floor included a record number (14) of international exhibit pavilions highlighting products and services developed outside the United States - CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 with 10, from Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and IFPE 2008 with four, from China, Italy, Spain and Taiwan.
IFPE 2008 hosted a new exhibit pavilion sponsored by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA), welcomed back a Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) pavilion, and set up a new pavilion to highlight the expanded presence of sensors at the show.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 featured a new Safety Zone of exhibits and demonstrations from industry and government groups, including the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Aerial Work Platform Training/International Powered Access Federation.
Education Highlights
The CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 seminar program offered a record 130 sessions. Show education expanded in 2008 to include a special seminar on best practices for small fleet management. Also new: select education sessions were offered via LiveCasts and podcasts to extend the value of show education. Education session registrations totaled more than 22,850.
IFPE 2008 also expanded its educational offerings with an electronic controls symposium added to the show's renowned Technical Conference. The conference offered a record 111 papers from industry experts from around the world. A new IFPE Innovation and Solutions Center, on the show floor, provided real world insights into future design applications. IFPE education session registrations totaled more than 1,700.
Industry Support
The shows were the industry gathering place in 2008. Some 105 allied industry groups were "supporting organizations" of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008, bringing their memberships to the shows. In addition to U.S-based groups, these included international industry-related organizations from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
A record number of 11 associations held annual conventions or board meetings at the shows, and overall a record number of more than 530 industry-related meetings were held in conjunction with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008.
Custom, Ahern form strategic relationship
Custom Equipment, Inc., and Ahern Rentals Inc. are proud to announce the formulation of a formal distributor relationship between the two companies. Ahern Rentals has agreed to provide rental, retail sales and service coverage for Custom Equipment's Hy-Brid line of aerial platforms throughout Ahern Rental's 11-state coverage area. Ahern Rentals has their headquarters located in Las Vegas, NV and is the largest independently owned rental business located in the United States.
Steve Kissinger, owner of Custom Equipment, Inc., endorsed the agreement by saying, "When Custom Equipment, Inc. formulated its expansion plan into the western United States, Ahern Rentals reputation as a strong distribution partner immediately came to mind. Our relationship with Don Ahern and Ahern Rentals will provide construction contractors located through out Ahern's coverage area with immediate access to our lighter weight aerial scissor lift." Custom Equipment, Inc. is the manufacturer of the Hy-Brid line of aerial platforms and is located in Richfield, WI.
ARA inducts three into hall of fame
The American Rental Association (ARA) inducted three industry leaders to the Rental Hall of Fame at The Rental Show earlier this month. Joining the legendary leaders of the Rental Hall of Fame is Bill Begley of Dublin, Ireland, James L. Keenan of Keenan’s Rental Service and J.T. “Tom” Hawthorne, chairman of the board for Hawthorne Machinery Company.
Gehl earnings beat forecasts
Gehl Corp. (GEHL) today reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, overcoming a weak residential construction market.
The West Bend maker of compact construction and farm equipment said net income fell 3.7 percent to 4.34 million, or 35 cents a share, from $4.51 million, or 36 cents a year ago. Before losses on discontinued operations in both years, Gehl had profit from continuing operations of $4.67 million, or 38 cents a share, down 5.4 percent from $4.94 million, or 40 cents, a year earlier.
Revenue fell 1.4 percent to $102.2 million from $103.6 million.
Sales remained solid in the quarter despite continued weakness in North American residential construction activity, the company said. North American retail skid loader volume increased 12 percent while the overall industry retail numbers increased 5 percent for the quarter. Telehandler retail demand declined 16 percent in an industry-wide market that declined over 24 percent, the company said.
Based on current 2008 market forecasts, Gehl said it expects 2008 sales in the range of $405 million to $425 million and income from continuing operations of 95 cents to $1.20 a share in 2008. For more information, go to http://www.gehl.com.
Crane inspection going paperless
Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB) has partnered with N4 Systems to bring electronic, paperless inspections to the crane industry. CICB will work with N4 Systems to tailor Field ID, N4 System's flagship inspection and safety compliance system, for the crane industry.
"Crane inspections are typically performed using paper checklist inspection forms," said Craig Epperson, president and CEO of CICB. "We have been looking for a way to significantly improve the crane inspection process and eliminate any reliance on paper. Field ID will allow us to introduce a revolutionary new way to conduct inspections. We are very excited to be working with N4 Systems in this venture."
"CICB is the expert when it comes to crane inspections," said Somen Mondal, president and CEO of N4 Systems. "Their history and proven track record in the crane industry is a testament to their expertise. Working jointly with CICB to introduce Field ID to the crane industry will allow us to gain the experience and knowledge that CICB has built over the decades to cater Field ID for crane inspections. We are truly excited to be working with CICB."
Hirschmann appoints CEO
Dr. Wolfgang Babel has been named CEO of Hirschmann Automation and Control, Neckartenzlingen, and Lumberg Automation − Belden Deutschland GmbH, Schalksmühle. Babel, who has been a member of the Hirschmann executive since October 2007 succeeds Reinhard Sitzmann who will be concentrating on several supervisory board appointments in the future. Sitzmann took over as CEO of the Hirschmann Group at the end of 2000 and successfully reorganized the company. His most recent achievement was the incorporation of Hirschmann Automation and Control and Lumberg Automation into the U.S. American Belden Group.
Babel’s career began at Diehl GmbH where he held leading posts in various divisions. After 10 years he moved to Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH & Co., Gerlingen. There he was responsible initially for the development and eventually became CEO. In addition, he also played a major role in developing the worldwide solution business within the Endress+Hauser group.
Genie simulator provides entertainment, education
Genie Industries will feature a new, interactive virtual attraction dubbed “You Boom” at the 2008 ConExpo-Con/AGG Show in Las Vegas. You Boom is a real-time simulation of the Genie Z™-45/25 articulating boom available for all show attendees to experience. You Boom will be in the Terex booth, G-200, located in the Gold Lot.
The object of You Boom is for the operator to experience a real-time simulation of operating a boom, without leaving the ground. Outfitted in a safety vest and lanyard connected to an actual Z™-45/25 platform, the mission is to maneuver the virtual boom and platform into the precise position of the golden platform. After a virtual pre-operation inspection, operators will choose from three levels of difficulty (easy, medium and hard) and get to work, navigating through replicated jobsite hazards and obstacles.
ACRP welcomes new members
The Association of Crane & Rigging Professionals welcomed three new members from Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott recently. Ian Bishop, John Forsynthe and Robert MacNeil all joined the ACRP.
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