SED's in a mix

The concrete industry in the UK is worth £5bn and increasing. Precast concrete alone employs more than 20,000 people with annual UK sales of £1.6bn. It deserves a big stage and that is what it will get as it has joined up with long-established SED show in Milton Keynes taking the title The Concrete Show at SED. By the end of March, 400 major manufacturers and suppliers had signed up to exhibit at the show.

A strong elemental mix of site-specific concrete specialists will demonstrate new technologies and products at The Concrete Show at SED's pavilion. While big cranes grab the sky space and giant earthmovers compete with all the other essentials of modern construction, a first port of call should be to enter the eclectic world of concrete.

Standing before the pavilion, Bob Armstrong of Armcon, Stockport, will answer probing questions about its green mobile Cemen-Tech concrete dispenser. It is a ready-mix vehicle that makes fresh concrete on demand with capacities of 4, 6 and 8m3 at a fast production rate and placing no demands on batching plant.

Bibko, the German specialists in concrete recycling systems, will launch a range of clarification machines for the treatment of generated wastewater. John Powell, of Worcester-based Associated Concrete Solutions, will tick-off the eco-points of the compact machine that cleans water containing particle less than 0.2mm in size and approximately 7% solid content. The machine is ideal for treating water from hydraulically pressed kerb and flag operations.

Before seeking a kaleidoscope of products in the pavilion, check out the big boys from Germany and other European companies. Yorkshire-based IDC Mixers is one of the many UK businesses appreciating the value of inter-European trade. On its stand is Danish-designed and manufactured compact mobile batching plants with capacities of 7m3 to 50m3/hr while claiming batch accuracy within ±2% by weight.

Another European company active in the UK and Ireland for 25 years is Elba Werk. The Elba single-shaft compulsory mixer is capable of producing a range of concrete, from semi-dry for block making to high flow in precast operations. Competition is on hand from another EC country, Ireland. The MAC-FAB Mix-Master comes from County Monaghan. Gene McMahon claims his machine is as innovative as the rest and comes complete with digital read-out of material mix and weight.

Conspare Systems from Nottingham will be exhibiting a new CS400 range of automatic concrete batching machines, as well as mixer washout systems, silo venting filters and other materials handling equipment. Pay attention to the Hydronix microwave moisture measuring equipment on show for the first time.

The philosophy behind another Danish import, Stema, is the concept of module construction. Bill Holmes of Pedershaab represents one of the world's largest manufacturing companies of machines and equipment for reinforcing steel bars and coils for the precast concrete industry. On show will be a mobile, and human friendly, hydraulic cutting machine. The Simplex 35E can cut with ease rebar of 35mm diameter. Also on display will be a collection of concrete road gullies, cattle slats and other artefacts.

Look out for computer aids, which are becoming a common component of today's construction machines and make sure they are easy to comprehend. It was no surprise to discover that the giant US Command Alkon Corporation is partnered with Microsoft. Learning and understanding how to handle the logistics of concrete batching and getting a competitive edge with using a Spectrum EZ-Cal, should not only be for computer nerds.

The pumping, vibrating and ramming of smooth-flowing concrete requires a family of innovative equipment. Wacker, a winner of a Silver Award at last year's SED, intends to have a commanding presence at this year's show. Each day Chris Pearce and his north London team will be demonstrating trowels, floor saws, a new range of vibratory plates, a redesigned PT pump range and some new rammer developments.

Inside the pavilion the subject of blasting, grinding, cutting and removing concrete surfaces has a language of its own. Graffiti, however colourful and artistic, gets daubed on new concrete structures even before construction has been completed. Getting rid of graffiti is an expanding industry. SatBlast, being demonstrated by Abraclean, avoids the use of toxic chemicals in blast cleaning. From a single portable unit, a mist is created and the company was able to remove graffiti from the Menai Bridge at Anglesey without affecting natural growing lichen.

Jeremy Twigg of Rentajet will be illustrating the art of cutting concrete with an ultra high-pressure water jet. Known as hydro-demolition, both hand-held and computer-controlled depth and width of cut machines will be demonstrated. USF will exhibit its closed-circuit Blastrac blasting, steam, scarifying and diamond grinding systems. German hi-tech is evident with the Krauss range of diamond grinders that produce smooth marble floor finishes with little noise and vibration. Steve Bryars of PWM (Sales) will be on hand to show how it can be done.

Among exhibitors of concrete pumping machines, block making and laser-controlled screeding systems, any safety-conscious contractor will find UK manufacturers and installers of admixture dispensers, water meters and portable hazardous liquid handlers. AWSL of the Derbyshire-based Derwent Group, will be displaying a range of health and safety-approved products. On another stand are makers of permanent formwork for ground beams, pile caps and bases as well as precast concrete accessories. Gail Maguire from BRC Special Products of Warrington will be the man to talk to.

Twintec, a world leader in the industrial flooring market and steel-fibre reinforced concrete technology, makes its UK debut at the Concrete Show at SED. Ruth Snowdon will be eager to talk visitors through the company's DBI design philosophy; design, build and insure from day one to hand-over. A good place to cement a deal!

Permaban has been a leader in concrete flooring technology and its innovative developments for some years. Apart from turning microsilica composite-based floor surfaces into attractive terrazzo style finishes, the company has developed long-life, load-bearing concrete floor slabs incorporating steel fibre reinforcement. An improved solution of joint arris armouring for formed joints that gives greater load-transfer capability is on display.

The need for water-tightness and the ability to withstand abrasive impacts has led to the invention of specialist coatings and glazes. Padraig and Seamus Carr of ICCT are on hand with Kryton's range of products and used on large constructions worldwide, including underwater applications.

Concrete curing should be a hardening process, not a drying process. Warmth and moisture is what concrete needs. Kraft Energy from Germany will display the VaporMini, a small vapour generator that offers the benefits of the hydration process with the flexibility required for large construction sites.

Concrete is a versatile material. Research is pointing the way to a new generation of designer concrete products. The efficiency of prefabricating is also improving. A big surprise to the Concrete Show comes from the Australian Arrow Company, which manufactures continuous concrete kerbing machines. It is a real force in Asia and the US and intends to use the UK as a springboard into Europe.

Concrete is everywhere; from the tiles on the roof, to the supporting walls and foundations of houses. Glyn Thomas, of Lancashire-based Creative Impressions brought to the UK the first use of colour hardeners, acrylic sealers and polymer overlays. Now Europe's number one manufacturer, the company's factory in Preston with 20 staff has an annual turnover of £2m with 60% of its output exported to more than 50 countries. A range of spraycrete polymer coatings and other colouring innovations will be shown. After Milton Keynes, Moscow's Concrete Show will get some creative impressions they have not seen before.

Awards are often given for innovation, but guts and determination deserve recognition. Before wandering off to see the hundreds of other displays of constructional wizardry, talk to the likes of Conart Moulds' Peter Spencer. Here is a family story of paving slab makers that now sells latex and fibreglass moulds for architectural, street and garden furniture worldwide using the Internet and receiving 2,500 enquirers a day. So when you gaze out over your lawn to see the gnomes, owls hedgehogs or even a concrete-cast Buddha staring back, you may well be able to trace its origins - right back to the mould.