Written in concrete: the US's World of Concrete

Next year's World of Concrete will be the first of three important industry events held in Las Vegas early in 2008. ALH reports.

First in next year's Las Vegas-led trade shows will not be as mammoth as Conexpo, but it will take up most of the space in Las Vegas's huge convention center. More than 90,000 attendees from around the world are estimated to attend the 2008 World of Concrete (WoC), at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The annual event will feature 900,000 square feet of the newest products, ideas, and technologies from more than 1,700 exhibiting companies.

Although the show is mainly for the concrete and cement industry, it is an excellent venue to see some of the latest mast climbing and hoists equipment on the market. And judging from last year's show, it will be a good spot for some handlers to be announced or at least view some from other parts of the world. Gehl and Mustang, respectively, displayed their RS5-19 and 519 compact machines, and New Holland chose WoC to introduce its M Series 427, 428 and 459 models this year. Italian manufacturer Faresin made its WoC debut bringing two of its latest telehandlers this year. The point is, don't be surprised what you come across.

Testament to WoC's value, Pettibone has chosen to make the event its only trade show exhibit in 2008 (as of November). The company will bring its Pettibone Traverse T10056, which will be on display for the first time to the public. An addition to the Traverse line, this unit has a maximum lifting capacity of 10,000 pounds and a maximum lifting height of 56 feet. The unit on display is a prototype, production units will be available early 2008. See sidebox for details on Pettibone's sponsorship of the Telehandlers Skills Challenge.

Expect to see JLG, Manitou and Genie handlers, there too. Skyjack will have its newly acquired CareLift ZoomBoom telehandler at its booth. Local manufacturer Xtreme will also be exhibiting.

It is in the hoists and mast climbers sector, however, where WoC comes into its own for lifting equipment. Many of the customers for the mast climbers, in particular, are the masonry contractors who often attend WoC. Our sidebar on the exhibitors shows how many you can expect to see in Vegas, including big names such as Hydro Mobile and Fraco. Fraco is likely to have something new on its stand, but isn't going public until closer to the event.

Hydro Mobile, meanwhile, is the latest North American mast clumber manufacturer to reach an import agreement with a European manufacturer – in this case its Raxtar, a relatively young construction hoist manufacturer from the Netherlands that is owned by two men who have run their own hoist rental business for several decades. Their hoists (pictured right) are certainly designed to be attractive to renters. Staff from Raxtar will be on hand at WoC to answer any questions.

Meanwhile, Bennu Parts & Service, the authorized manufacturer of Bennu mast climbing platforms, says it will show a new, continuous-climb, self-leveling, two-tower platform that is compatible with all Bennu accessories.

→ Registration for WOC 2008 is open, so register online today! For more information about the 2008 World of Concrete event, visit www.worldofconcrete.com