Futureworx 2022 programme announced

The speakers and conference contributors have been announced for the upcoming Futureworx 2022 technology showcase in the UK.

The CEA (Construction Equipment Association), the event’s organiser and owner of the Plantworx construction exhibition, has revealed that industry experts and thought leaders from companies including Skanska, Ardent Hire Solutions, Costain Group, Hexagon Geosystems, and TRL have all been confirmed for the first edition of the technology event.

Futureworx 2022 will take place on the 30th and 31st of March 2022 at the East of England Arena in Peterborough. It will bring together industry professionals and focus on the pipeline of ideas and technologies that will shape tomorrow’s construction equipment experience.

With Covid-19 restrictions now relaxed in England – it is full steam ahead for the inaugural event, which has continued to gather momentum at pace since it was announced last year.

In order to help facilitate a greater technological uptake and collaboration across the industry, the CEA has formed partnerships with National Highways, HS2, the Supply Chain Sustainability School and COMIT2Drones to devise and deliver the Futureworx event.

Angela Spink, Head of Sales for Futureworx, said, “We have been careful to select exhibits and demonstrations that fit the themes of the event.

“Both National Highways and HS2 have been fully supportive in identifying the companies and individuals who they want to see. We are aiming to attract senior professionals in and around the construction industry to bring them together with suppliers and innovators to help map future targets and requirements”.

Indeed, according to a recent survey carried out by KHL’s Construction Technology brand, more than 70% of those involved in construction technology are planning to invest more in the sector in 2022 compared to 2021.

The survey also revealed that 42% said that their uptake of technology in the last five years had increased a lot, and that over 60% of respondents had recruited new staff specifically to focus on new technology.

Futureworx 2022 - Day One

National Highways is using the event to demonstrate how Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP) can work successfully across construction sites as the transport industry comes together at the event.

The organisation will be holding a private briefing session on day one – where they will be inviting key influencers and tier one contractors. Following the briefing, they are invited on a VIP tour of the event followed by a networking dinner.

Whilst leading earthmoving OEMs, such as Komatsu and Hitachi are planning their presence at Futureworx to present their latest technology – significant brands in other product sectors will also be there. These include Bomag, Merlo, Gomaco and Snorkel.

Other companies, impressed by the format of the event, have stepped forward to offer sponsorship.

These include Plantforce Rentals, Spillard Safety Systems, Safety Shield Global, Xwatch Safety Solutions and Datatag ID (best known for their CESAR ECV collaboration with HS2).

Exhibition space in the venue’s Atrium showcase area is now sold out, making space in the Futureworx Digital Den (technology hub) area and its outside Plaza area for static demonstrations, now at a premium.

Futureworx 2022 - Day Two

The Conference is taking place on day two of the event (31st March) and the programme is now set around the three themes of Decarbonisation, Data and The Human Interface”.

Speakers and conference contributors will include:

- James Cadman, Plant Group Lead, The Supply Chain Sustainability School

- Jeremy Fish, Chief Executive Officer, Ardent Hire Solutions Ltd

- Holger Kessler, Stakeholder and Communications Lead, NUAR (National Underground Asset Register), the Cabinet Office

- Mark Lawton, Head of Engineering, Surveying and GIS, Skanska

- Lara Young, Group Climate Change Director, Costain Group PLC

- Suneeta Johal, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Equipment Association

- Holger (Hopi) Pietzsch, VP Marketing (Heavy Construction), Hexagon Geosystems

- Sam Mercer, Chief Operating Officer, Plantforce Rentals

- Dr Anthony Velazquez, Head of Environment and Decarbonisation, TRL

Plus contributions to be announced from; Danfoss Scotland, HS2, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, National Highways, Onwave, Safety Shield Global and others.