Maintec 2014: The countdown begins

Maintec is an event that focuses on the needs of plant and asset managers, engineers and maintenance personnel. Visitors will have plenty to see on the show floor, including more exhibitors than ever before, an expanding Hazex area and a return of the Business Strategy Conference which made such an impressive debut at the last show. This will once again be hosted by Dr. Andrew Starr from Cranfield University.

There will also be the Maintenance Exchange, featuring a rich programme of practical presentations delivered by leading industry names.  This is designed to help visitors update themselves with the very latest ‘best of breed’ thinking, and so reduce costs and improve plant performance.  

Exhibitors at Maintec 2014 will include many major names and show regulars such as Schaeffler (UK), Fluke UK, Hansford Sensors, Idhammar Systems, Lobo Systems, SoftSols, T-Cards Direct and Valveforce.  These will be joined by a plethora of new exhibitors such as Matthews Engineering Training, IRISS, Lighthouse UK and John L. Lord Flooring.

First time exhibitor Matthews Engineering Training will display how its Boiler Inspector Certificate Programme provides comprehensive and independent training with an examination for inspectors who inspect steam ‘package’ boilers. Matthews’ objective is to provide boiler inspectors with demonstrable competency training, independent from their employers.

Fluke (UK), an expert in the manufacture, distribution and service of electronic test tools and software, will be showcasing a wide range of rugged and reliable portable test instruments suited for maintenance applications.  In particular it will focus on its new Ti200, Ti300, Ti400 thermal imaging cameras, the Fluke 1730 energy logger, its latest power quality analyser, and vibration tester plus the Fluke VT02 and VT04 Visual IR Thermometer and its CNX Wireless Tester.

R-Tek will show how its range of interlocking floor tiles provides a competitive and versatile flooring system that has multiple applications. R-Tek tiles are made from hard wearing, high grade PVC which is 100% recyclable and which can be installed over virtually any existing substrate. The R-Tile is loose laid on the floor and its special interlocking moulding keys are easily locked into place.  

Hansford Sensors will be showcasing its latest vibration monitoring products including a new range of premium industrial accelerometers, plus the latest 4-20mA transmitters, or loop powered sensors (LPS) and the new M12 cable assemblies with protective conduits and snap on quick release cables. With the capability of interfacing directly into PLC, BMS, or SCADA, the 4-20mA transmitters / (LPS) are suitable for low cost, on-line monitoring. Meanwhile, Hansford Sensors has made life easier for vibration monitoring engineers by adding M12 cable assemblies with protective conduits and snap on quick release cables to the product list. 

Alongside these new additions, Hansford Sensors will also be using Maintec to promote a new range of high performance industrial accelerometers. These will include standard sensors, for use with all rotating and reciprocating equipment, plus submersible and ATEX-approved sensors for specialised applications, multi-sensor switch boxes, vibration sensor modules, portable vibration meters and condition monitoring protection systems. 

Probe Technical Recruitment will be running two candidate clinics together with a Job Shop which will feature live vacancies. At the CV Clinics visitors can sit with an experienced consultant to review their own CV and look at ways of improving it to give them a better chance of securing an interview. At the Interview Tips Clinic visitors will receive guidance, advice and dos/don’ts for completing the best possible interview. 

Award Winners 

Maintec 2014 will also see the return of the Maintenance Professional Awards which were introduced at last year’s event. The awards recognise those who have applied expertise and technology to the maintenance process and delivered real commercial benefits as a result.  There are two categories: 'Maintenance Professional of the Year' and, in support of newer entrants to the industry, 'Maintenance Apprentice of the Year'.  The winners will be announced live on the show floor.

Lions Lair

There will also be a return of the popular 'Lions' Lair' where new maintenance and engineering technologies, innovations and concepts are pitched to an expert panel in a bid to be voted best of show.

Institutions

Show supporter, the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers (IDE) will host a spring conference during Maintec. This will be attended by members of the Institution of Local Exhaust & Ventilation Engineers, another show supporter.

Facilities Management 

The co-locations are designed to give visitors to Maintec even more to see. The first of the complementary shows is Facilities Management. This brand new show is a huge development for facilities, property and estate managers and is a neat fit as many Maintec visitors also have a wider facilities management remit. 

The market place has reacted warmly to the announcement of this co-location, with DHL, Emerson Industrial Automation, Amey, Coo-Var and Parrs, just some of the major names coming out in support. Marcus Davey, Amey’s facilities manager comments: "I welcome a new Facilities Management show to Birmingham. Having it in the centre of the UK will draw people nationwide. Dealing with both industrial maintenance and facilitates management and having the show co-located with Maintec will be a major pull. I know I can source the latest products and services in one day”

Exhibitors such as Asset Skills, WD40, Innovise, TradePoint and Rubbermaid have also been quick to recognise the value of the co-locations. Dave Watts, TradePoint Marketing Executive, says:  "Our B2B team is really looking forward to the Facilities Management show in March. The fact that it will run alongside Maintec, combined with its central location, promises to attract many facilities managers and procurement heads from across the country.”

Health & Safety Event 

Maintec 2014 will also be co-located with a new Health & Safety Event. This is another smart development as the UK's maintenance, plant and asset management community increasingly has to consider health and safety issues, as Matt Benyon, easyFairs UK & Global managing director explains: "When looking at what we could do to drive even more visitors and provide yet more relevant content to the community of maintenance and engineering professionals who head to the show every year, health and safety presented itself as a key area to focus on. After all, 25-30% of all manufacturing fatalities are typically related to maintenance activities.  Co-locating with a health and safety show reflects our commitment to once again step the show up another gear.”

IP&E will feature more information on Maintec 2014, including details of the conference and other presentations, in its Jan/Feb 2014 Maintenance supplement.