Exhibitors to launch a whole host of new products at the show

Pre-registered visitor numbers higher than any previous IMHX

Help for Heroes chosen as the exhibition's nominated charity

Free Advice Surgery offered to all visitors by logistics experts

IMHX to offset the CO2 from staging the show and visitor travel

Visitors to benefit from informative programme of seminars

Design 4 Safety Award winners to be revealed at IMHX

As the green shoots begin to appear in the UK economy, the storage and handling sector is gearing up for its flagship exhibition, IMHX 2010, which open for four days at the NEC in Birmingham from 16-19 November.

With the event taking place only once every three years, IMHX is a must-attend event for all professionals involved in the supply chain. The show will feature all the industry's major players, with over 300 exhibitors expected to showcase their products and services.

High expectations among exhibitors
As the economy strengthens at last, expectations among exhibitors are high. Tim Waples, President of the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), says, "IMHX may not be the only materials handling exhibition out there, but I don't think any other show provides the same quality and quantity of opportunities to meet customers old and new. Our members are expecting a high quality of visitor from not just the UK, and signs are that will happen, which should produce good sales leads." This view is supported by comments from Hans-Herbert Schultz, Managing Director of leading forklift company, Jungheinrich UK: "With the UK economy showing signs that it is finding its way out of recession, we expect the truck market to stabilise. Of course, trade shows such as IMHX remain an important part of our marketing mix and, as such, the exhibition is a great opportunity to get in touch with all parts of the market, in order to reach our goal of growing our business in an expanding market after the recession." Aileen Brown of VoiteQ, provider of IT solutions for warehousing and logistics, is also expecting great things, saying: "This is only the second time that VoiteQ has exhibited at IMHX, but the first time was such an overwhelming success, with prospects queuing for voice demonstrations, that we quickly booked up for this year's event."

Many benefits to visitors
Large numbers of supply chain professionals are realising the enormous benefits of visiting such a huge and well-established show. In fact, pre-registered visitor numbers are already at a higher level than for any previous staging of IMHX. This year's show will feature a Free Seminar Series of over 30 highly informative, presentations from industry leaders on the themes of Information Technology (Tuesday 16 Nov), Innovation (Wednesday 17 Nov) and Environment (Thursday 18 Nov). Topics covered include RFID Technology, Visual Logistics and Green Storage - for a full list of seminars and speakers, please visit the IMHX website. All the seminars are free to attend on a first come, first served basis. The exhibition's organisers have also teamed up with leading independent supply chain consultants, OPS Logistics Consultancy, to offer a Free Advice Surgery for the very first time at IMHX. Visitors will be able to take advantage of a free, 20-minute consultation with one of the industry experts from OPS to explore ways of increasing revenue, reducing costs and improving customer experience. The surgery service will be available throughout the four days of the show and consultations can be booked in advance by visiting www.imhx.biz/surgery.

The industry's first carbon-neutral exhibition
IMHX 2010 will be the first logistics trade exhibition to offset the CO2 produced through staging the show and through visitor travel to the venue. The show will feature a special Environmental Zone, sponsored by Shell Gas (LPG), at which visitors will be able to record their show travel footprint - at no cost to themselves - using a web-based carbon calculator. The show's organisers will then offset this CO2 by planting trees within the UK through an accredited carbon offset partner. The Environmental Zone will also feature a number of green solutions offered by exhibitors that contribute to a cleaner environment, energy efficiency and reduced waste. As well as the Environmental Zone, IMHX will feature - for the first time ever - a special pavilion to promote the show's many automated handling system exhibitors. Hosted by the Automated Material Handling Systems Association, the AMHSA Pavilion will feature a number of exhibitors in stands arranged around a central hospitality area. Recognising that IMHX has historically attracted large numbers of visitors from the food & drink sector, IMHX 2010 will also feature a special Food & Drink Logistics Suppliers' Pavilion, sponsored by the Food Storage & Distribution Federation (FSDF).

Help for Heroes chosen as the show's nominated charity
With the logistics industry tracing its roots back to the military, it is fitting that Quartz - joint organiser, with BITA, of IMHX - has chosen Help for Heroes as the show's official charity for this year's event. Help for Heroes has raised over £44 million to support wounded service personnel and their families since its launch in 2007. Comments Rob Fisher, Publishing and Exhibitions Director for Quartz, "Given the links to our industry and the bravery of our troops currently serving abroad, we're delighted to be working with this highly commendable charity. We'll be hosting a charity dinner for exhibitors on the Thursday night and there will be coin collection points around the show. We hope that - with the generosity of exhibitors and visitors - we can raise thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes at IMHX in November."

It's all under one roof at IMHX 2010!
Supported by main sponsor, Albury Asset Rentals - part of the BNP Paribas Lease Group and one of the UK's leading providers of finance for forklift trucks - IMHX is the only exhibition at which visitors will find so many products and services from right across the industry. Besides materials handling equipment, exhibitors will be showcasing health and safety systems; software solutions; racking and shelving; storage systems; pallets and palletising equipment; property; recruitment and training services; third party logistics; transport and distribution; flooring; packaging; handling system design; financial services; and warehousing. As Tim Waples, BITA President, puts it, "With continued pressure on supply chains to become greener, leaner and more cost-effective, 'joining up' the links in those chains becomes the crucial activity. IMHX is the place to make that happen, thanks to the sheer breadth of its exhibitor base, the quality and purchasing intent of its visitors, and the highly positive atmosphere that makes it a pleasure, not a duty, to attend."

Demonstrations, competitions and all that jazz!
As ever, exhibitors are going to great lengths to ensure that IMHX will be an exciting, enjoyable and educational experience for visitors. On stand 20F70 ¬- the largest stand at the show - Toyota Material Handling UK will provide the first opportunity for visitors in the UK to see the full range of Toyota counterbalance forklifts and towing tractors and BT warehouse equipment together since the merger of Toyota Industrial Equipment and BT Rolatruc in 2007. With the theme 'stronger together', the stand will feature no less than three live demonstration areas, product displays and a seminar theatre featuring a series of master-class workshops. IMHX will also be the first chance to see the company's new Traigo HT electric counterbalance forklift, designed to provide an electric alternative for load capacities from 6.5 to 8.5 tonnes.

Affiliated Irish manufacturers Aisle-Master Ltd and Combilift Ltd (stands 19K135 and 19K130) will be offering visitors traditional Irish hospitality - including a drop of Guinness - while the Combilift display team shows off its skill in manoeuvring trucks to a soundtrack of Irish music. Aisle-Master will be exhibiting AC electric and LPG powered models from its wide range of versatile articulated forklifts for both indoor and outdoor operation, while Combilift will display its range of customised 4-way handling equipment designed for the space-saving handling of long and bulky loads, both inside and outside of the warehouse.

Visitors to stand 20D30 will see totes travelling at high speed, as warehouse automation specialist KNAPP runs a live demonstration of its OSR Shuttle™ sorter. This new type of dispatch buffer is a modular solution, installed in the goods-out area, and uses technology from the company's proven OSR Shuttle™ system. Totes ready for distribution are fed to flow-rack channels by a shuttle, with each customer order assigned to one or more channels and the system taking into account delivery route sequencing.

The UK and Ireland's largest lift truck training accreditation body, RTITB Limited, will be running a competition on its stand 18N70 in which visitors can test their wits in an on-line hazard perception contest, with the chance to win prizes. RTITB will also be using IMHX as the platform to launch its new products and services - including new and updated training materials - and its National Operator of the Year Competition for 2011.

Also running a fun competition will be independent supply chain management consultancy, Total Logistics. On its stand 19L72 the company will be showcasing its approach to consultancy projects, as well as offering all visitors the chance to win a luxury hamper containing goodies from a selection of its global clients - including Adidas, Argos, Chivas Regal, Fat Face and O2.

Jungheinrich - Europe's leading manufacturer and supplier of warehouse trucks, accounting for one in three of all the warehouse trucks operating in Europe today - will be promoting the twin themes of high productivity and low cost of ownership on its stand 19L100. The company is promising its "legendary hospitality" for visitors to the stand, as they peruse Jungheinrich's huge range of products including reach trucks with a lift height of 12 metres; the world's best-selling low level order pickers; powered pallet trucks including a Lithium Ion-powered truck concept; and a range of very narrow aisle stackers including the recently launched EKS Series of order pickers that use RFID technology to guide forklifts quickly and efficiently around the store.

Forklift manufacturer Narrow Aisle Ltd will have a live demonstration of its brand-new Flexi EURO VNA truck, stacking in aisles just 1.6 metres wide on stand 19J75. Recently nominated by the Fork Lift Truck Association for an Innovation Design Award, the Flexi EURO VNA is a four wheel, articulated truck with twin front wheel drive, the company's True Radius® chassis design for easy turning in narrow aisles and its HiVis Cantilever® operator overhead guard for easy and ultra safe stacking.

Taking the credit for the largest single exhibit at IMHX this year will be the 45-tonne-capacity, second-rail reach stacker displayed by Cooper SH on its stand 20G120. "We want to put into perspective just how big and robust these trucks really are," explains David Cooper, Managing Director. The company will also be presenting its latest safety alert and fleet management tools, NearGuard and Eco Drive, which were launched earlier in the year.

Major product launches at the industry's premier show
Once again, IMHX will be the platform for a whole host of product and service launches, providing the ideal opportunity to reveal innovation to the UK handling industry.

Edmolift UK Ltd - leading manufacturer and supplier of scissor lift tables, loading bay equipment, goods lifts, ergonomic lifters and work positioners - will use IMHX 2010 for the worldwide launch of its brand-new, pit-free MultiDock loading bay lift on stand 18M145. Requiring virtually no installation, the MultiDock can be put into operation 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 time, claims Edmolift.

Forklift manufacturer Translift Bendi Ltd will be launching no fewer than five new machines on its stand 19K100 at the show. The company's Managing Director, Simon Brown, says, "Without giving too much away, three of the new trucks will open up new sectors of market to us, including the food sector, retail sector and European markets - all of these sectors have great potential in terms of volume for Bendi. We hope to secure the patent for the European truck prior to the show. This truck offers users 1.6m and a host of other unique features for a European machine at 50% of the present cost."

On show for the first time in the UK will be the Unitower C automated storage and retrieval system from Kasto (stand 18N150). The storage system is designed to hold sheet metal as well boxes, drums, pallets and long stock. Modular and easy to operate, the Unitower C is ideal for first-time users and is an economical solution to storage in machine shops and distribution centres. Two sizes of bar store are available - 6.5 and 8.5 metres long - with both offering high storage density and fast installation.

Warehouse software specialist Delta Software will launch its supply chain performance management dashboard - DeltaDashboard - on stand 18P20 at IMHX. This graphical reporting tool boosts supply chain performance through warehouse process improvement and can be used with any SCM or WMS system. Providing a real-time, performance dashboard view of warehouse operations with instant reporting of productivity levels, Delta claims that DeltaDashboard is a powerful management tool.

Goplasticpallets.com will be unveiling its brand-new, pure yellow hygienic plastic pallet on stand 19K127. The new pallet shows the high quality colour matches the company can achieve by working in partnership with Belgian manufacturer, IPS. The hygienic pallet is manufactured using the finest quality food grade virgin HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and has totally smooth, sealed surfaces, making it easy to clean either manually or with an automated system.

Korean forklift manufacturer Doosan will be launching a number of new additions to its portfolio at IMHX, including a new warehouse range. The dealer-based company will be exhibiting trucks from its extensive range on stand 19H120. Over 80 Doosan models are now available in the UK within the high specification Pro-5 series and the economy GX range, with a host of upgrades and new options being promoted at this year's show.

TVH UK Ltd (stand 20F35) - the worldwide supplier of forklifts, aerial platforms and spare parts - will use IMHX to launch several new products including SmartSweep, an environmentally friendly sweeper. Driven by a standard forklift truck without the need for a hydraulic connection, SmartSweep is up to 70% cheaper than a conventional sweeper. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use in dry conditions, SmartSweep features two pneumatic tyres and a rubber support wheel that combine to give a very small turning circle.

European Handling Equipment Ltd will launch several new products at the show. Stand 19J162 will showcase the range of Artison counterbalance forklift trucks with capacities up to 5000kg. Manufactured by one of the world's largest forklift manufacturers, these trucks have a wide range of operational and safety features and offer, according to the company, a "real alternative to the big boys". Centre stage on the stand will be the latest addition to the Artison range, the Artison-Plus, as well as the versatile Warrior pedestrian counterbalanced and pedestrian reach trucks.

Dexion, renowned for its racking and storage solutions, will be launching a new Warehouse Intelligence System on its stand 20D90 at IMHX. C-WIS is a control system that enables users to optimise warehouse functionality continuously. Any company with an existing WMS or ERP system would benefit from C-WIS, claims Dexion. C-WIS can create a real-time 3D simulation of the entire material and work flow for the warehouse, allowing stock locations - as well as staffing, equipment and servicing - to be optimised. Dexion will also be displaying its range of pallet racking, industrial shelving, storage bins, lockers and office archiving.

Automated handling specialist PSB Intralogistics GmbH (stand 19H145) will present its new 'vario.sprinter' shuttle storage solution at the exhibition. Vario.sprinter, claims PSB, offers high performance as well as a very high degree of flexibility and scalability. The new product is a key element in the company's focus on green logistics, featuring energy recovery technology - like PSB's award-winning stacker crane systems.

Also launching a new product at IMHX will be TEK Seating Ltd, the biggest independent OEM and aftermarket vehicle seat distributor in the UK. Its brand-new KAB Compact seat will be revealed for the first time at this year's IMHX. Both mechanical and air suspension versions are available, with the option of fabric or PVC trim. Also on the TEK stand (20C119) will be a range of popular seats for the material handling market and experienced staff to offer advice.

Thousands of innovative solutions
As well as product launches, there will be thousands of innovative materials handling solutions on display at IMHX 2010.

On stand 20F95, Axxom Software AG will showcase its smartphone and pad apps, designed to optimise logistics and production. Under the slogan "Axxom goes app", the company will demonstrate how its apps enable users to plan and to optimise supply chain and production processes on mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone or RIM's Blackberry. The new apps allow executives to access key data from Axxom solutions and then perform analysis and re-planning functions.

German packaging machinery supplier Packsize GmbH will present its latest generation of machine, the EM7 on stand 18M167. Taking a footprint of only some 8 square metres, the equipment provides packaging on demand. With Packsize, clients can produce their own cardboard boxes in any style or size to suit their products within seconds - an ideal solution for companies with frequently changing product ranges or the need to produce and ship various samples.

Motive power specialist EnerSys Motive Power will be promoting its new four-tier battery bank on stand 20F30. The system significantly reduces the footprint of lift truck battery change and charge operations, facilitating easy maintenance and maximising operational safety. The battery tiers are serviced by an innovative, electric-powered battery changing cart - the EnerSys Pro-Series Battery Bull BBE - that runs on concealed rails. With the system in place, changing batteries is a one-man job that can be accomplished in around 90 seconds.

Meanwhile, the UK's leading supplier of forklift truck attachments and masts, B&B Attachments (stand 18M90), will be demonstrating its newly launched Layer Master solution for splitting palletised loads. This revolutionary new clamp, which can be static or fork-mounted, eliminates manual handling for loads that need to be split. Layer Master can lift a third of a 2.4m-high pallet at a time or, alternatively, just a single layer of boxes, enabling the load to be quickly broken down or built up.

Exide Technologies, one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries, will be marketing its range of batteries for materials handling equipment on its stand number 19L120. The firm will also use IMHX to promote Power Gap, its recently launched traction battery rental solution that helps fleet managers to bridge any gaps in their energy requirements at peak times of the year - such as the run up to Christmas - without a major investment in capital equipment.

The UK's leading manufacturer of industrial and workplace storage solutions, Bott Ltd, will display its innovative 'cubio' product range on stand 20C43. The result of a two-year R&D and testing programme, cubio features a wide range of durable storage configurations that are ideal for use in logistics and warehousing environments. Reinforced steel housings, scuff resistant galvanised shelves and drawer sliders with up to 200kg capacity are all available.

Conveyor Systems Limited (CSL) recently introduced state-of-the-art three dimensional visualisation software that facilitates the design of a working model for virtually any proposed conveying solution, together with interfaces to other handling equipment, and allows the company to show customers CAD drawings and real-time video clips that help them to evaluate proposals. CSL will exhibit details of its range of bespoke conveying solutions and various recent installations on stand 19H 123.

Industrial door and loading bay experts Hörmann UK will put safety first at this year's IMHX by displaying a range of safety-related devices on its stand 20F80. These will include the company's SoftEdge with Anti-Crash for high speed doors to minimise damage from lift truck collisions; its unique wicket door with a trip-free threshold; and the innovative Light Grille which uses seven light beams instead of just one to monitor intrusion into an open doorway, with breaking of any one of the beams preventing closure.

Automated handling specialist SSI Schaefer will be showing its innovative storage, handling and picking systems on stand 18N100, including the new Orbiter deep pallet storage and retrieval device and the company's latest 'silent conveyor' system. The company will also be promoting i-Pick, a cost-effective, entry-level pick-by-light system which consists of a touch-screen PC with preinstalled i-Pick software. Visitors to the SSI Schaefer stand will also be able to take an interactive stroll through the firm's 'House of Technology' for a glimpse into the future.

Visitors interested in warehouse signage should head for stand 19L73, where identification and labeling specialist Beaverswood will be displaying its range of alphanumeric systems. The company will also be launching its brand-new catalogue and several new product lines at the show.

Egemin Automation will be showcasing its automatic trailer loading solution, E'tl on stand 20B31. This state-of-the-art automation technology allows Egemin automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to drive into trailers to place and retrieve palletised and other unit loads fully automatically. The advanced E'tl vehicles are not limited to trailer loading and unloading, though - they are designed to handle multiple operations including high-reach warehouse storage and retrieval.

Container manufacturer Rehrig Pacific UK Ltd will be exhibiting its new and unique NBAT 'Dual Height Half' distribution crate. Aimed primarily at retail distribution, the crate offers two working heights within the one crate. The company claims that this offers savings and versatility throughout the supply chain. Visitors can see the new crate - which is already being rolled out by a leading UK retailer - on the Rehrig Pacific stand 18N152.

Mobile weighing specialist RAVAS will be showing its new generation of scale forks for lift trucks - iForks - on stand 20B70 at the exhibition. The product is the first completely wireless scale forks system for forklift trucks, using Bluetooth technology to communicate with the cab-mounted weight indicator. With all components fully integrated in the forks, the iForks have no external cabling whatsoever. Dubbed 'plug & weigh' by RAVAS, iForks can be installed onto any truck in a matter of minutes to provide instant and accurate weighing of all loads.

Automated handling solution provider Keymas Ltd will be showcasing its range of cost-effective customised controls and conveyor systems, including its new K-store system. This new concept of modularised warehouse management system improves performance and manages warehouses with accuracy and control, claims Keymas. The company will also be displaying case studies and videos of its latest projects on stand 19L143.

Leading European storage company Stow International has expanded its presence in the UK with the establishment of a new arm aimed exclusively at the UK distributor market. The new company, Kardex Stow Direct, will be utilising Stow's expertise to provide distributors with customised and flexible system solutions for warehouses. Kardex Stow Direct will be exhibiting its extensive range of pallet and drive-in racking as well as longspan and light-duty shelving on stand 20B75.

Supply chain management software company TECSYS will promote its 'visual logistics' concept at IMHX on stand 20B46. This technological innovation in warehouse management enables customers to streamline putaway, picking and packing operations and achieve the highest in order accuracy and fill rate known to date, claims TECSYS. The concept involves visual images and instructions being presented to operators via radio frequency handheld units, helping them perform their work more accurately and productively than ever before.

Automated warehouse and handling system provider System Logistics will promote its innovative MoPSTM (Modular Order Picking System), which it believes to be the world's finest, completely automated solution for both case picking and automatic mixed SKU pallet/cage building on stand 18N154. Implemented in scalable and flexible modules, MoPSTM can take care of case picking, handling, sorting, sequencing and palletizing, making the solution ideal for many food & beverage applications.

IMHX Design 4 Safety Award winners revealed
After shortlisting and judging by an independent panel of materials handling and health and safety experts, the winners of the inaugural IMHX Design 4 Safety Awards will be announced at a special VIP Awards Breakfast on the first day of the show. Designed to highlight the importance of product design in improving safety standards, the awards have been jointly organised by IMHX co-owners Quartz and BITA and were open to all exhibitors at the exhibition. All shortlisted products will be highlighted in the show catalogue and featured in the IMHX Design 4 Safety showcase zone within the exhibition, while the winners in each of the four categories - Industrial Trucks, Racking & Storage, Automation and Technology (software & IT products) - will receive certificates, trophies and flyers to use on their stands throughout the show.

Pre-register now for FREE to attend IMHX 2010
IMHX 2010 is the number one place to see new products, meet suppliers and network with new and existing contacts. Visitors who pre-register for IMHX 2010 will receive an exclusive passport-style pack containing everything needed to maximise the benefits of a visit to the show - a delegate name badge, the 'Little Black Book' of handling industry contacts, a fold-out exhibition floor plan and key details of the show's environmental zone.