BUSINESSISBOOMING

Ingersoll Rand took orders amounting to œ500,000 during SED. Bestseller on the stand was the company's new DD80 double drum vibratory tandem roller, which was launched at the show.

Also on the stand were the recently introduced P30 and P90 compressors and the small, high pressure HP95, HP140 and HP200 models.

"It has been a great show for us," said Mike Isherwood, a spokesman for Ingersoll Rand. "The company had sold 18 pieces of equipment to two customers by 9.30am on the first morning of the show.

"You get quality vistors at SED. Ingersoll Rand compressors were popular as always but people were equally interested in the breakers and the rollers."

Machines sold included eight P110WDG, six P101 and four P130 compressors.

The new DD-8 roller features vibration on both drums and there is an option of a clear-sided front drum without vibratory mechanism. Other new standards on the new roller which accounted for its popularity at the show were the availability of full traffic lighting, a dry air cleaner, an hour meter and a water pump for the sprinkler system, according to Isherwood.

Bobcat

Bobcat, which demonstrated the whole Bobcat family, announced it was the best SED show it had attended for several years.

Sales from the show brought in œ300,000

"The show exceeded all our expectations," said Mike Day, Bobcat's direct sales manager for UK and Ireland.

The company said that it would be disclosing who bought mini-excavators and skid steers in the near future. Bobcat's new version of the X-320 mini-excavator, which was launched at the show, proved popular. Customers had snapped up eight of them within the first day of the show.

"The new X-320 produces a high breakout force developed by the over-bucket cylinder of 1516kg in accordance with ISO 6015, hence its amazing popularity with people who are looking for a value for money machine," said Day.

HMPLANT

Bigger, better and brand new was an apt description of HM Plant's stand at SED. Customers flocked in, keeping the company's sales representatives busy.

While many expressed interest in the 19 machines being shown, including the recently launched EX600 and Fiat-Hitachi skid steers shown for the first time by the company, others were placing firm orders.

Within a day and half, the company made sales of œ180,000. It sold four FH130s and one FH450. The company was confident that it would make further sales on the remaining day-and a half. "There are many good quality customers and we expect to make more sales during the remainder of the show", said company spokeswoman Clare Hall.

According to Hall, many customers also showed an interest in the new Hitachi EX800 and EX800 Super hydraulic excavator range which was introduced to the UK market for the first time at show.

"The Super EX800 is further enhanced by the experience and know-how gained by good results from the recently launched Ex600 and of course EX700. A great deal of time has been taken in the thoughtful ergonomic design of the cab on the EX800. It features a fresh air ventilation type air conditioner, a fully adjustable seat with integrated linkage suspension system, a module style sliding cockpit with full adjustable ergonomically designed control levers, curved monitor control panel, incorporating fully sealed touch control systems," she said.

BARFORD

A year after its reorganisation, Barford Construction Equipment, UK's second largest supplier of site dumpers was still pulling in the crowds of visitors to its stand at the SED show.

Six new site dumpers competing in the four to nine tonnnes payload class attracted plenty of attention. The company had customers placing firm orders worth œ500,000.

"There are also a further œ250,000 of tentative orders which we would like to translate into firm orders soon," said John Carnall, the company's sales director. Dumpers sold included the SX7000, SXR 5000, and the new SX9000, which customers thought was a snip at œ25,000.

"It was absolutely fantastic, the best ever show in the 10 years we have been to SED.

"We had a lot of quality buyers. Plant hirers, contractors and the Ministry of Defence all placed orders at the show. The response was brilliant. We got 370 further contacts from the show," he added.

Although satisfied, Carnall still wants to be the number one site dumper supplier. "With our reorganised dealer network, we have the sales and support infrastructure necessary to take the number one spot. With the introduction of our new generation machines, we now have the equipment to make that goal a reality." And he appears to be well on his way to hitting that spot having been at SED.

SANDHURST

Sandhurst took œ500,000 worth of orders during SED. Equipment sold included cranes, lighting towers and Takeuchi mini-excavators.

"There seems to be a trend towards reinvestment. And it is not just the construction industry that expressed interest in our new CX800 crane," said Sandhurst director Chris Archer.

"We had people from the water authorities, rail infrastructure companies and personnel from the petro-chemical industry who we don't normally see attending the show expressing interest in it.

"SED is great because you get the decision-makers visiting the show , as well as the operators.,"

Sandhurst also benefited by getting many follow-up orders from the show. "We had inquiries on multiple sales of our mini-excavators, hydraulic hammers and lighting.

"Three of our cranes are going from the show straight out to work. We are pleased with the interest in our mini-excavators. SED is a tremendous showcase. We had two large inquiries for the Krupp hydraulic hammers."n