The world’s leading materials handling equipment manufacturers and suppliers have demonstrated their confidence in the future of the British economy by committing to have a strong presence at IMHX 2019.
“Despite all the political uncertainty over Brexit the logistics sector remains confident,” says Rob Fisher, Event Director for IMHX 2019 – the UK’s largest intralogistics event. “With a £1 trillion turnover the logistics industry is of critical importance to the UK economy, contributing over £124 billion Gross Value Added. But, businesses will need to invest in more robust and intelligent logistics infrastructure if they wish to meet the future demands of consumers and industry in an environment where labour resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Importantly, confidence to invest looks encouraging.”
He continues: “Barclays’ UK logistics Confidence Index 2017 shows a 3.7 point increase over 2016, rising from 53.0 to 56.7, which tallies with our own findings relating to exhibitor bookings and reservations on space. Currently 50% of available floor-space has already been allocated and close to 150 leading companies are set to exhibit. Clearly, businesses are optimistic about the future and are looking to invest in a post-Brexit Britain.
“For our own part, as event organisers, we are confident in the future strength of demand for logistics infrastructure, technology and equipment and have substantially increased the footprint of IMHX 2019 over and above the previous 2016 event,” says Rob Fisher.
Technology will feature strongly at IMHX 2019 with the launch of a ‘Future Technology Zone’ aimed at promoting the huge advances that are being made in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and SaaS solutions. Fisher explains: “Machine Learning and AI are already having a major impact on the way supply chains operate and together with the rapid advances taking place in robotics, the distribution and fulfilment centres of today will look very different in the near future. We want to capture that excitement in these ‘Future Technology Zones’ at IMHX 2019.”
He continues: “We are on target to attract over 400 exhibiting companies and, from the feedback we are getting, exhibitors are planning to increase their investment in 2019 which should make for a great event.
“The major forklift manufacturers, automation specialists, information technology suppliers and storage companies will all be at the show.”
A tri-annual event, IMHX – the International Materials Handling Exhibition – is the largest and longest running exhibition in the UK for the logistics and supply chain industries. IMHX 2019 – which is sponsored by Investec Asset Finance plc – takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 24-27 September 2019.
