Record number of visitors at APEX

The sixth APEX exhibition, held in Maastricht on 17 - 19 September, was a big success with a record number of visitors. More than 5300 industry professionals from 44 different countries attended the show, which is 25% higher than the figures for the previous show in 2005.

Despite the economic uncertainty - and with major access manufacturers anticipating a slowdown in 2009 - there were companies buying equipment at the show, including some from fast-developing rental firms in eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Hinowa, exhibiting for the third time at APEX was very pleased about the results of the show. "This is the best APEX show we had till now," said Mr Jan van de Meeren, owner of Hinowa Nederland. 'We have introduced a new aerial platform, the LL 2312. During the show we have sold two to Dutch rental companies. Besides that we have sold three 1470 Gold Lifts to a new customer from Germany. APEX gives us the opportunity to inform and show our new product to customers and prospects in a short period of time."

Robbert Monteban, JLG Industries' Director of Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "It has been a successful show for JLG. Besides the introduction of the Toucan 10E at APEX, we also organised a tour to our new European parts distribution centre and factory in Maasmechelen, Belgium. More than 150 persons have visited this factory which is built according to the latest standards."

Chinese company Beijing Jingcheng, exhibiting for the first time at APEX - and the first time in Europe - created a lot of interest among visitors. Mr Zhang Bennan, International Sales Director, said: "We have met a lot of potential customers from Russia, Poland, Middle East, Italy and Germany. It was a good opportunity for us to talk to people in Europe with excellent knowledge about the products and this market". The company sold all four of the machines on its stand - one self-propelled boom, two electric scissors and a vertical mast lift - to a company in Poland.

The show was notable for the number of new products on show. In addition to the Beijing Jingcheng products, new launches came from Skyjack, Genie, JLG, Nagano of Japan, UpRight, Palfinger, Bronto, Ruthmann, Oil & Steel, Multitel Pagliero, Teupen and many others.

Also selling machines at the show was Germany's Teupen. "The quality of customers and prospects who visited our stand was good," said Mr Alfons Thihatmer, Managing Director Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH. "We have sold products of the LEO range on the show, starting from 30 m working height and higher."

The APEX conference on Wednesday was also a success. The Keynote Address was given by Skyjack President, Ken McDougall, who spoke on the role of the OEM in today's access market. Other speakers covered new European standards for MEWPs, machine telematics, battery maintenance, and aftermarket technology.

The next APEX show will be held in 2011.