Interbuild 2006

A range of exhibitors will be displaying their products at Interbuild 07 in Halls 3/3a, 4 and 5 at the NEC in Birmingham from 28 October to 1 November 2007. With over 700 exhibitors already committed and 71% of previous exhibitors back on board, Interbuild 2007 is on track to be the biggest it has been in recent years.

Henkel, JCB, JJ Smith, Manrose, Eleco, Gartec, Stewart Milne, Potton and British Gypsum are just some of the big name brands already confirmed, and as the build-up to the UK’s biggest building show begins, organisers are confident there will be more to come.

“The response so far has been phenomenal,” says Gordon Thomas, event director at Interbuild. “While we set ourselves some ambitious targets in 2006, we’re already on line to matchthese and more. This year’s show looks set to be the biggest we’ve seen in some time and that has to be a positive reflection on the industry as a whole.”

As well as an encouraging UK uptake, Interbuild 2007 is also seeing increased interest from international exhibitors. 80 individual companies, from across 23 countries have already snapped up space and there has been notable interest from a number of international trade groups. The Austrian Trade Commission, German Timber Council and Canadian High Commission – along with groups from the Far East, Denmark, Italy, Malaysia, Belgium and Portugal – have all signed-up for the five-day event, keen to tap into the UK’s buoyant construction market.

“The changes to this year’s format certainly seem to have struck a chord with the trade, both in the UK and further a field,” says Gordon. “We know from previous market research that the return to the original autumnal slot (28 October – 1 November) coincides with a prime time for buyers in the industry. According to the survey of our 44,436 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors in 2006, mid-autumn is the best time for UK buyers to source new products and services.”

A move to the larger exhibition halls (3/3a, 4 and 5) will also be beneficial. Better use of space and a redesigned layout will enhance the exhibitor and visitor experience by providing intuitive and rapid access to all areas.

“More time to obtain product and service information, and less time searching for stands is our overall aim.” says Gordon.

Test the trades
Interbuild’s Test the Trades challenge is back at the 2007 show for a second year – and this time it’s bigger and better. This year the challenge will run for the full five days of Interbuild. Hitting back at skills shortage, this year Test The Trades will see teams of apprentice Builders, Floorers, Heating and Plumbing Engineers and Roofers go head-to-head for the overall prestigious Interbuild title of Britain’s Most Skilful Trade.

Test The Trades will be hosted by original Big Brother winner and celebrity builder, Craig Phillips and is to be staged in a live arena in the Truck and Tool Hall of the show. The programme will involve a mixture of practical time-clock team challenges and quick fire question rounds. The overall winning team will claim the Interbuild title of Britain’s Most Skilful Trade and win high value prizes for their college including generous tool donations from Bosch and Dewalt.

“We’re delighted to have Craig Phillips involved in Test The Trades for the second year running. Craig, a bricklayer by trade, opened a Building Skills Centre in Liverpool a couple of years ago – and ran his own construction company for 10 years, employing 30 tradesmen, prior to that. He understands the real life issues, which makes him an obvious face to host Test The Trades”, says Interbuild event
director, Gordon Thomas.

So, with the trade teams now lined up to do battle, who will win the coveted Interbuild title of Britain’s Most Skilful Trade? Do builders know more than heating and plumbing engineers? Are roofing applications the ultimate test of skill or do flooring contractors have all the answers? Visit the show to find out!

Seminars to see
Once again at Interbuild visitor’s will have the chance to both build their industry knowledge and sharpen their skills by attending the wide range of seminars that are on offer.

BRE is hosting a range of seminars including: Passivhaus – A Pathway to Zero Carbon Housing on 28 October, Low Carbon Buildings with Climate Life on 29 October and The Green Guide to Specification on 30 October.

The international non-profit making trade organisation CEDIA is also hosting a range of seminars across the five days. The CEDIA RIBA CPD Course – Designing Future Homes and What Cables Do I Need to Install for Entertainment, Security and Automation Systems? are just two of the courses that CEDIA is offering.

Other organisations that are hosting seminars at this year’s show are NICEIC, Voltimum, FMB, Trada, RIBA CPD and iTSHOWCASE. These seminars cover a range of topics from managing your cashflow to innovations in concrete.

Events programme
Visitors will be able to attend a series of free technical briefings covering the widest spectrum of solutions at Interbuild 07. These sessions are aimed at demonstrating how leading offsite manufacturers are tackling the challenges of the built environment and addressing the issues of sustainability, innovation and collaboration.

Free offsite masterclasses facilitated by offsite construction consultant Mtech will also be available. The Masterclass programme permits visitors the opportunity to gain an independent perspective of the offsite construction sector through an intensive training session.

Breakfast briefings focusing on the progress of the most regional offsite construction initiative Advantage offsite, meet the client presentations and prebooked ask the expert sessions, will all be available for visitors to take advantage of.

To find out more visit the Interbuild 07 website www.interbuild.com

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