Now in its 37th year, easyFairs Maintec – the show dedicated to the industrial maintenance and asset management sectors returns to the NEC in Birmingham this month (28 February – 1 March 2012) to showcase the latest technologies in the maintenance sector
More than 1,700 chief maintenance officers, engineering and plant managers – many from UK blue chips like Astra Zeneca, BAE Systems, NHS Trust, Royal Mail and Walkers Crisps – attended the 2011 show to see the latest products and talk to the developers making advances in condition monitoring, asset management and hazard detection.
The 2012 show will once again play host to major players within the sector such as Fluke (UK), Idhammer Systems, and Panasonic UK, as well smaller growing companies such as 2011 debutants Business Development Strategic Maintenance.
Managing director for easyFairs UK Matt Benyon, says: “Maintec is the perfect platform for both large and small companies to showcase their latest maintenance and engineering offerings to key decision makers within the industry, as well as visitors wanting to witness first hand the best in maintenance technology.”
Exhibitors and visitors will get all the benefits of the easyFairs approach to trade shows, including convenient and cost-effective all-inclusive stand packages and free learnShops that focus on practical knowledge sharing and cover the latest trends, issues and technology developments.
This year a new hazardous goods event called ‘HAZEX’ will be taking place in association with Hazardous Engineering Solutions.
This addition is said to reflect the growing responsibilities of maintenance professionals, and the growing concerns and tighter legislation over plants’ health and safety.
Benyon says: “HAZEX will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the latest products, legislation, case studies and techniques applicable to engineers working within hazardous areas and handling hazardous materials.
“One of the new minefields for engineering and operations professionals is the mandatory European Community directive ATEX 94/9/EC. ATEX stands for atmosphere explosive and it is the law in the EU. HAZEX will offer ATEX-approved companies a platform in which to showcase their products and services. It will also provide a forum for companies supplying products to those working in hazardous environments.”
This new area is also important in terms of health and safety which has always been a key theme in the show.
Earlier in the year a report by the Health & Safety Executive found that around 8,000 people die each year from occupational cancers and around 14,000 new cases are reported each year. Many of these tragedies are caused by hazardous substances at work and, therefore, are preventable.
Benyon continues: “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 provide legislation that must be complied with by all companies throughout the EU. However, to really deal with the problem often means taking action over and above legal requirements. As Maintec organisers that is where we can help, by bringing together leading hazard prevention experts under one roof, so that visitors can witness first-hand the latest in hazard prevention training services and products.”
Sira Test & Certification is supporting HAZEX. Sira has been involved with hazardous area issues and training for over 25 years. It specialises in the conformity assessment solutions field and is a leading Notified Body for Ex Product Certification (ATEX & IECEx).
Maintec 2012 has the support of key sector organisations, including the British Compressed Air Society, the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers, Institute of Asset Management, the Facilities Management Association, United Kingdom Thermography Association and The Institute of Engineering and Technology.
easyFairs
T: 020 8843 8823
