Get ready for the UK's Executive Hire Show on 8 & 9 February

More than 115 exhibitors are exhibiting at this year's Executive Hire Show (EHS), the annual UK showcase for the rental and tool hire sector, taking place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 8 and 9 February.

That is a record turnout for the event, which was first held at the Ricoh in 2007, and has required the addition of a ‘Top Tier' exhibition space above the normal show floor. Around 1845 hire industry visitors attended the show in 2011 - a 25% increase on 2010 - and show organisers are hoping to "smash that record" this year.

The event - although on a much smaller scale to the US Rental Show, which takes place during the same week - is a good place for rental companies to see compact machinery and equipment, and this year will see dozens of new machines on show.

Innovative and environmentally friendly products are again to the fore, with a special Innovations Zone - sponsored by Speedy - featuring 14 new products. These 14 were selected from 40 entrants, and they are:

• ArcGen Hilta - TL-90 LED lighting tower
• Demon International - Hurricane Combi
• Gantic - GantiCharger
• Global Construction Plant - Pro-Screen PVG12V-84
• Hire Supply Company - Elite Heat
• Leica Geosystems - 3D Disto
• Lifestyle Appliances - Santorini patio heater
• Lombardini - Kohler Direct Injection engines
• Makita - BLS 713RFE slide compound mitre saw
• Scaffolding Solutions - Skaftray
• Stihl - TS 500i cut-off saw
• Tacklestore - TM12 lifting, rescue device
• TowerLight UK - VB9-LED lighting tower

LED lighting towers are definitely flavor of the month. In addition to the ArcGen Hilta and TowerLight LED lights above, Italian manufacturer Bruno - represented in the UK by Bruno Generators Group UK (BGG) - is using the show to officially launch its LED Sitelight range.

The use of LED lamps allows the manufacturers to reduce the power required to generate light, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

ArcGen Hilta will go step further by launching a ‘concept' solar powered lighting tower, the SP-55, modeled on its TL-90, which will have solar panels on each side of the chassis feeding six batteries. The company will also have a new pump and supersilenced generator on its stand.

Also launching a pump at EHS is Obart Pumps, with a new 3 in submersible pump. The HD15 can pump up to 830 litres/min and will operate at heads of up to 10 m. It is powered by a 1.15 kW motor and will handle solids of up to 9 mm.

Other important product launches at the show include the following:

Thwaites introduces a new compact 2 tonne Hi Swivel dumper powered by a Yanmar 20 kW diesel engine. The dumper is less than 1.5 m wide and has a turning circle of just 7.4 m.

UK low level scissor specialist Pop-Up Products will highlight is new cooperation agreement with Netherlands company Altrex, the producer of access towers, ladders and suspended cradles. The two companies are working together to develop new products for the UK market, and Pop-Up is dedicating its entire stand to Altrex products.

Also in the access sector, Cambridgeshire based Power Lift UK will show the Easylift R160 tracked access platform and two models from Faraone's Italian-built vertical mast products. The new Faraone PK50s offers 5 m working height on a footprint of 750 by 1000 mm and a machine weight of just 290 kg.

Among the 15 or so first-time exhibitors at the EHS this year are APT Construction Services, MOBA and Jaama. APT shows its innovative low-height access and dust suppression systems; instrumentation specialist MOBA will focus on its machine control systems for excavators, graders and dozers; and Jaama will highlight its fleet management and rental software packages.

EHS also sees many of the big name manufacturers attending, including JCB, Hilti, DeWalt, Makita, SDMO, Wacker Neuson, Youngman Group, Bomag, Doosan Infracore/Bobcat, Ammann, Takeuchi and Volvo CE.

Other exhibitors include:

Niftylift shows the HR17 Hybrid AWD as well as its SiOPS/ToughCage safety system.

Stihl launches new tools including a fuel injected Chainsaw.

HTC Floor Systems will exhibit its new Greyline range of floor grinders.

Cemo Safe Storage shows a range of storage solutions and winter storage solutions.

Dri-Eaz will have enhanced versions of its BD1000 building dryer and DrizAir 1200 dehumidifier on its stand.

DURO has developed what it claims is "the safest diamond blade available on the market today."

Hire Association Europe (HAE) is working with the HSE to present information briefings on The Dangers of Dust and Noise and Vibration in The Jaguar Suite on the 2nd day of the Show.

Ifor Williams Trailers will introduce its GH94 Beavertail suitable for transporting a wide selection of plant including tracked excavators, rollers and access platforms.

Ranger Equipment will be showcasing machines at the smaller end of Teupen's Leo tracked atrium lift range.

Onboard Energy, meanwhile, will demonstrate its newly developed E-Cube, a portable, maintenance free, self-contained "energy pod" that delivers clean, silent power anywhere it is needed. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with a generator or mains power supply.