All the bases are covered
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In the third and final interview with the CV Show partners, Nick Jones of the Society of Operations Engineers tells CM why a visit to this year’s show will be a day well spent
Words: Steve Hobson
WITH ONLY THREE weeks to go to the return of the Commercial Vehicle Show, halls 4 and 5 of the NEC are already booked solid with more than 300 exhibitors covering all aspects of CV operations. from new vehicles to driver training and fuel management.
The return of the “full fat” CV Show after the CV Operator Show of 2010 will only serve to broaden the range of useful products and ideas for visitors, says Nick Jones, CEO of the Society of Operations Engineers, whose subsidiary IRTE Services is a partner in the CV Show along with the vehicle manufacturers’ body SMMT and the RHA.
“We have the majority of vehicle manufacturers booked into the show, so it gives us an opportunity to have a show which covers all aspects of the industry,” he says. “There will be something for everybody to see.”
Buoyant mood
Jones also believes April will ind the CV industry in a more buoyant mood after a gloomy couple of years.
“There is a feeling that the economy is turning around, certainly in terms of transport,” he says. “It may not be dramatic, but there are positive signs. So while many companies are still looking to extend leases and run vehicles on, many more people are now in the market to buy new.” Although some CV manufacturers have chosen not to exhibit at this year’s CV Show, heavy trucks will be well represented by DAF, Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Hino, while nearly all the major van makers will be there.
“A lot of people missed not seeing trucks at the CV Operator Show, and trucks coming back to the CV Show makes it more interesting for lots of people,” Jones says. “Clearly some manufacturers are taking a more bullish approach to the UK market while others are inding times tighter. It is disappointing that not all the manufacturers are there, but we can’t expect to go back to the levels of interest in the 2008 show as circumstances are very different now.” The recession has certainly encouraged operators to run trucks for longer rather than replace them religiously on threeor ive-year cycles, and this ex perience may change leet replacement policies for good.
“One of the things that comes out of recessions is that people look to run things more effectively and it is a time when there is a lot of innovation,” says Jones. “So people are seeing it is viable to run trucks for longer. Operators must still make sure their trucks are well maintained, and there is a demand now for more qualiied technicians in the road transport industry.”
Accreditation scheme
On its stand, IRTE will be unveiling its recently redeveloped IRTEC accreditation scheme for qualiied CV maintenance technicians, which is seen as the best current means for operators to identify competent maintenance providers.
“IRTEC has been relaunched following very wide consultation in the industry and we now have a scheme that industry wants,” says Jones. “It now covers all types of vehicle and people can come to our stand and ind out what is entailed. It is a test of the competence of engineers and we are working with a range of organisations to raise standards across the industry.” Another key theme at the CV Show will be maximising fuel eficiency, and one major exhibitor is expected to show its hybrid diesel-electric truck. Electric vehicles were also much in evidence at last year’s CV Operator Show and will be out in force at the 2011 CV Show.
Critical
“This will be critical in future and people have to look at all the options for better use of fuel and different types of fuel,” says Jones. “The development of hybrid and electric vehicles will now start accelerating, though it is still early days and there are risks in going with any new product. There has to come a time when this technology comes into common use across the industry.” The show partners are keeping their powder dry on 2012, as a lot will depend on how 2011 goes, so it is important for the future of the CV Show that the industry turns out and makes this year’s show a success. “We are not assuming that 2012 will be a full CV Show or a CV Operator Show,” says Jones. “We certainly plan a CV Show next year but we will have to wait and see how things pan out. It depends entirely on the industry and what type of show it wants. We listen to the industry and it is critical it is bought into the show.”
Must see
Jones also points out that the CV Show will be the only major transport show in Europe this year, making it even more of a “must see” event.
“If you really want to get out and see what’s on the market, this is your best opportunity,” he says. “There will be more than 300 exhibitors under one roof and there is no substitute for sitting down and seeing how a product actually works.
“It will be well worth attending as there will be something for everybody and an enormous amount that will be of interest to leet engineers and technicians.” ■