UK trade show highlights low-carbon equipment

OnSite On Hire, a UK trade show designed to showcase for the rental industry, made its debut at the end of September.

Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from September 30 to October 2 alongside UK Construction Week, more than 20 exhibitors, comprising of OEMs and rental companies, were in attendance.

Speedy, who hosted the Innovation Zone stand area, showcased a range of its latest innovations available to hire, as well as its HR15 hydrogen-electric powered access platform, manufactured as part of a partnership with Niftylift.

The company said the hydrogen electric unit, which utilises a hydrogen fuel cell for power, represents a “significant step forward in sustainability”.

It offers a working height of 15.7m, outreach of 9.4m, turret rotation of 355 degrees non-continuous and a cage rotation of 180 degrees.

The two companies agreed a three-year partnership worth £9 million ($11.4 million) in the first year (2023), that will see Niftylift manufacture the lifts at its Milton Keynes, UK, facility exclusively for Speedy Hire.

Altrad Belle highlighted its new DC 300E+ disc cutter, which is now in production. The cutter – and all its battery powered machines - uses an 82V battery sourced from Asia.

Ray Neilson, Altrad Belle’s managing director, told International Rental News that the company “went for high power to start - we are competing with petrol machines. Big contractors want to make the move to battery power.”

The UK arm of Pramac-Generac showcased a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed specifically for the UK market.

Designed and manufactured at its plant in Rugby, the SX 10/15 LFP is powered by a Li-on battery and comes with an output of 10kVA/14kWh. 

Makita UK was showing its latest range of cutting and drilling tools for the rental sector, as did fellow tool manufacturer Milwaukee.

Other exhibitors included Gaia Group, which showcased how its remote and off-grid power systems can help sites to reduce emissions; MHM Group, which showed its range of eco-friendly generators.

Specialist business sales advisory firm the Hire Exchange also hosted a cafe at the show, where it discussed its services in mergers and acquisitions to hire and rental companies.

The next edition of OnSite On Hire is scheduled to take place during UK Construction Week from 7 May to 9 May at the ExCel in London in 2025.

It also returns to the NEC Birmingham from the 30 September to 2 October next year.