Plantworx is the biennial trade show for the construction equipment sector that has been set up by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) after the demise of the old SED event.
The first PlantWorx takes place 14-16 May at Stoneleigh Park, home of the Royal Agricultural Society, near Coventry.
With all planning just about finalised, the first-time organisers discovered that the part of the site that had been set-aside for digging demonstrations might not be fit for purpose because of “unprecedented weather conditions”. After emergency meetings, it has now been relocated to neighbouring fields.
CEA chief executive Rob Oliver has written to all exhbitors explaining the need for new arrangements, saying: “All efforts have been made to avert a plan change but this is a case of force majeure.”
He said: “Due to the unprecedented weather conditions, we are advised that it won’t be possible to locate the show’s Dig Zone in the original planned area. Whilst conditions are currently dry on this field, there has been negligible grass growth. We have consulted agronomists, local farm management and show contractors. The conclusion is that, if the current cold weather is followed by any significant rainfall, there is no guarantee that the track-way needed for set up, access and the main thoroughfares in the Zone will be stable enough for heavier equipment to be brought in without the underpinning stability that some grass cover would have provided. We are also conscious that we don’t want to provide a “mud bath” for visitors and non-demo exhibitors in the Dig Zone.
“These practical issues, health and safety and attendant insurance considerations were put to an emergency meeting of the directors of Construction Equipment Events Ltd (the owners of the show, on behalf of the CEA). The choice was to either i) cancel the event or to ii) proceed with a contingency plan. Stoneleigh Park is under contract to provide us with a fit-for-purpose site – and, with the show set up crew due on site shortly, there was also a need to make this urgent decision. After intensive discussions, Stoneleigh Park agreed to the activating of a contingency plan.”
Plantworx operations director Mike Coleman added: " Adverse weather has always been the nightmare of outdoor operations – and regrettably Plantworx 2013 is not exempt. However, by staying calm and being positive, not to mention many hours working into the night, I am convinced that we have ended up with a strong and well laid out event. There has been the need for compromise but, in the vision of a 'show for the industry by the industry', I hope that the industry will understand and work with us in presenting the first working construction show since 2009 – a true exhibition of what is available in today's construction industry."
The Construction Index is a media partner of Plantworx and will be exhibiting at the event. A special bumper issue of The Construction Index magazine, out next week, includes a full show preview. You can subscribe here or read it free online.
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