Tri-annual show piece
January 1st 2004 Now a fixture in the European trade show calendar IMHX 2004 promises to be a successful event.
IMHX 2004 rightly bills itself as the UKs only comprehensive exhibition for the materials handling and storage industry. Having displaced IHSE which it apparently now incorporates, this exhibition runs in line with the European materials handling exhibitions Manutention (France) and CeMat (Germany), so exhibitors and visitors (though mainly exhibitors to be fair) no longer have to choose where to go in any specific year. Each show is now on a three year cycle, with a minimum of twelve months in between each countrys flagship event.
A major factor in defining the character of this exhibition is its co-ownership by BITA (British Industrial Truck Association) along with exhibition company and publishing house Turret RAI plc. BITAs insight into what visitors want to see and what manufacturers can deliver should make for a successful event.
Softworld Supply Chain.
Running alongside IMHX for the first time from 2-3rd March will be Softworld Supply Chain, a European event for effective supply chain management solutions. Now in its 12th year the exhibition hosts around 80 leading supply chain software providers. The Softworld Data Capture event will also run alongside both exhibitions.
Knowledge is power.
A new feature at IMHX 2004 will be the knowledge zone. Two presentation theatres will host a wide range of free to attend talks and seminars throughout the show, presented by exhibitors, truck users and other industry bodies. One of the presentations at the knowledge zone will be on the new Thorough Examination procedures for forklift trucks. Covering the new national scheme that went live in January 2004, at the presentation, delegates will receive comprehensive answers to all their questions including legal requirements and practical issues.
These sessions are free of charge and visitors may reserve places via the IMHX website at www.imhx2004.co.uk. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Another free seminar that visitors should make a note to attend is about the impending corporate manslaughter legislation. The Government has announced plans for new laws to make company directors more accountable for deaths of employees and the public as a result of management negligence. Nick Hallchurch, head of litigation and dispute resolution at BP Collins, solicitors will cover a wide range of important information, including a summary of the existing law, a review of the draft legislative proposals, practice and procedure, and insurance opportunities.
RTITB aim to stop cowboys.
One new scheme, to be launched at the show by RTITB will have enormous implications on forklift safety and the materials handling industry in general. At IMHX 2004 the RTITB will introduce a new system of licensing for forklift operators and other mechanical handling equipment drivers. this new scheme, called the National Operator Registrations Scheme (NORS) is designed to: eradicate counterfeit operator certificates; provide central data and certification records in a standardised format; reinforce adherence to training standards; raise operator, employer and employment agency confidence in operator competence; align with EU requirements (EN 45013) and provide internationally transferable records of training/competence.
Professional accredited trainers are fed up with being undercut by un-ethical trainers that falsely claim to be accredited or approved by RTITB. The NORS registration is the closest thing to a licence that can be provided in the current legislative framework. As soon as an employer sees the RTITB certificate and photo ID, they can have confidence in the validity of the certificate that clearly states what the holder has been trained to use. If the employer has doubts, the validity can be checked in seconds by the RTITB central validation service, saving employers and employment agencies time. More information about NORS can be gained at the RTITB stand 18 Q25.
Truck Driver Championship.
An enjoyable diversion from the serious business of the exhibition and the seminar presentations is the BT Rolatruc UK Forklift Driver Championship. Hosted by Karl Jacko Howman of Brush Strokes fame the overall winner will be decided over the three days of the show, with both counterbalance and reach truck operators battling it out on specially designed courses. More articles from National Instruments UK Limited: | 
