New exhibitors at Midlands Machinery Show

Consolidation across UK machinery dealerships will see a raft of new exhibitors in innovation and technology at the Midlands Machinery Show.

New suppliers offering precision farming kit and environmental solutions will join the usual full complement of big tractor and machinery brands on display on 8-9 November at the Newark Showground.

Elizabeth Halsall. who organises the event for the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, says the result is a really diverse range of stands this year, with all indoor space sold out and outdoor plots disappearing fast.

Industry showcase

“New independent companies seem to be using the Midlands Machinery Show to break into the industry and showcase their products – possibly because the show is known for attracting high quality visitors.”

Last year, 40% of visitors came to the show to research or place an order, says Ms Halsall. “They’re coming to do business, and travelling around 100 miles to do so – from all over England, but also from as far as Dundee in Scotland and Cork in Ireland.”

Almost 30 new exhibitors this year include Slanetrac, an engineering company based in Ireland. It makes a range of mini-digger attachments in-house. Others include Sencrop, offering precision weather data; and the Forestry Commission.

Despite this influx of fresh blood, there are also some stalwarts who have exhibited at the show since it started eight years ago. They include Hannah Setchfield of RC Setchfield, a family-run agricultural engineering business from Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Ms Setchfield says the equipment they have brought to the show over the years has changed with the challenges in farming. “Particularly now, farmers need to do more with less, so investing in the right equipment is essential,” she explains.

“Equipment on the stand has got bigger to reflect the additional capacity required, and more multi-functional as farmers need machinery that can operate 24/7, 365 days a year – and perform multiple activities.”