Visitors flock to Hirex show

A 6% boost in attendance figures at Hirex 1995 - Wembley's small plant and tool show - gave further evidence that the hire industry is coming out of recession.

New products, in particular 1.5t mini excavators from Sandhurst Mfg and Powerfab, and JCB's 1CX Cablemaster generated a lot of interest.

To promote its new mini, the MX14-1, which will be available from mid-February, Sandhurst Mfg has expanded its dealer network. According to director Chris Archer, who reported an 'encouraging reaction' from visitors viewing the MX14-1, new dealers have recently been established in the south west and north Humberside.

Powerfab, which unveiled a new corporate identity as well as its 1.5t mini, raised a few eyebrows with its latest badging. Gone is the orange of former years to be replaced by range of new colours specific to product type.

Strong interest was also shown at Lincmaster stand. The level of interest backed boss Derek Cutmore's belief that:'There has been a definite change in attitude towards plant theft in recent months'.

The best product of the show, awarded by the Hire Association Europe, was Hilti's TE104 3.5kg needle scaler.