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It was a mixed picture at this year's Truckfest, as TruckNet UK's Rikki Chequer found out...
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Over the years, Truckfest has been held up as the showcase for our industry — so, in this year of recession and gloom, was it a beacon of hope?
To be honest, it was a show of contrasts. The immaculate, highly polished trucks showed what can be achieved with a lot of elbow grease. Most of the manufacturers attended and put on large displays, and the crowds were hectic — especially on the Sunday.
This contrasted with the almost complete lack of recruitment agencies attending. There were also a lot of comments about the price of the day for an average family and the lengthy queues just to get into the showgraund.
While many of the attendees we spoke to thought the trucks on show were great, they were unexcited by the arena displays, saying they were beginning to look the same every year...
For some, Truckfest 2009 was a social event, where employees could have a little time at the boss's expense to relax and show their vehicles in a positive light. For others, it was a visit of almost desperation: folk who were willing to pay to see if there was a chance of work.
On Monday, patchy rain came, the expected big crowds didn't quite materialise and an air of resignation seemed to descend. Chats on the Sunday were often about old times and good friends. On Monday, it seemed the reality of yet another week looking for work was looming.
On the Truck & Driver/TruckNet UK stand we had on display: • The best trucks ever from the Truckfest 'show and shine' competitions • An Iveco Stralis from the Ferrari racing team • A fully Truck & Driver-liveried Mercedes-Benz Megaspace Actros that has been through the Mercedes Evolution programme • And our biggest crowd-puller — three smashed-up trucks, complete with cardboard cutouts of the BBC Top Gear presenters So, Truckfest 2009: a celebration of the industry or, for those hit hard by the recession, its wake? Only time will tell...