Hillhead is a unique show because its location, a quarry in Buxton, England, means that it can bring real job site applications to life like no other event. From June 25-27, visitors will witness an autonomous truck in action for the first time as part of the biggest range of demonstrations in its history.
The immersive nature of the show will blend digitally connected sites and technologies with the sector’s ongoing alternative fuel transformation.
Richard Bradbury, managing director of event organizers The QMJ Group explained, “When we open the show this year, visitors will be met by 600 exhibitors in a sell-out event. Demand from exhibitors has been unprecedented and we have already blasted a huge amount of material, creating a demonstration experience that will be our biggest yet. It will incorporate a squared off quarry face area with two large elevated levels, making more demonstrations possible throughout the day.
“These will include a full range of combined equipment displays with excavators, wheel loaders, ADTs, crushers, screeners and much more. Big display highlights will be a 100-tonne excavator from Hyundai and the ‘all-electric’ stand of Volvo Equipment with dealer SMT GB, whilst Hitachi will be showcasing both machines and their fully connected site solutions.
“For this show, we have also recognized the continued importance of showing visitors how our industry is progressing. For example, our autonomous truck demo with Bell Equipment will be a real eye-opener this year. We are also a showcase for a lot of electric-powered machines this year, some of which will feature in our live demonstrations for the first time.
“Personally, I think the real impact of Hillhead is in our ability to educate the industry. Yes, we have the wow factor with the big machines, but we also have the tech factor when it comes to the digitalization of our sector.
“From telemetry solutions to machine control, drones, AI-driven safety, and the latest advanced 3D site management and modelling, the connected site will really come alive this year. And thanks to our continued investment in the Wi-Fi connectivity onsite, we will have live data feeds even from our demonstrations on site.
“Visitors will also notice a big change in our layout, as we have extended the indoor pavilion by more than 30%. In addition to this we have recognized the importance of Hillhead as a meeting place, which was highlighted in feedback from our last show in 2022.
“With this in mind, this year we are creating the Big Hillhead Cafe and food court as an outdoor hub for visitors and exhibitors alike. This will be supported with more permanent welfare facilities, and we will also have new water hydration stations around the site with cold, filtered water available for free. Encouraging visitors to bring their own water bottles will be a great addition, especially if the weather is kind to us.
“And for those big-picture social media moments, our enlarged viewing platform will definitely give visitors that selfie opportunity.
“So, this year, Hillhead will continue to be the place where visitors can keep up to date with what is going on and, in particular, use their time to understand the transition the industry is undergoing as we embrace digitalization and alternative fuels in our drive to be a low-carbon, sustainable sector.”
Rock Products will provide reports from the show. Registration for Hillhead is free at: www.hillhead.com