THE wait is almost over. The stage is set for ScotPlant 2024, as more than 200 exhibitors prepare to put on a spectacular showcase for the Scottish plant sector.
The Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh is packed full of the latest machines and innovations from many of the world’s leading construction equipment manufacturers.
On Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27, the latest edition of the biennial event will see the industry come together to network, do business, and discuss all things plant-related.
ScotPlant 2024 is THE place to see the latest solutions to hit the market, presented by major brands and their local dealers. The show will feature standout kit from the likes of CASE, Develon, Engcon, Finlay, Hitachi, Hyundai, JCB, Kobelco, Komatsu, Kubota, Liebherr, LiuGong, Manitou, McCloskey, Merlo, Metso, Powerscreen, Rokbak, Rototilt, SANY, Steelwrist, Sunward, Takeuchi, Wacker Neuson, XCMG, and many, many, more.
ScotPlant isn’t just about heavy machinery. As always, scores of exhibitors will be promoting ancillary products, accessories, and essential solutions and services. Many of these businesses can be found in the Lowland Hall – the indoor element of the exhibition located next to the entrance.
A number of exhibitors will feature operator challenges over the weekend, with big prizes up for grabs. The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) – which has moved to a much larger outdoor plot this year – will be hosting the qualifier for this year’s Scottish Plant Operator Challenge. The top contenders will earn a place in the final in Perthshire later this summer and the chance to land a share of the £10,500 prize pot. The SPOA will be joined at ScotPlant 2024 by the likes of CITB, Police Scotland, and the National Construction College to provide attendees with information on a range of topics from grants and apprenticeships through to technology and theft prevention.
Construction equipment specialist Harry Denholm is at ScotPlant representing Field and Forest, with the firm having been appointed Scottish dealer for Yanmar Compact Equipment earlier this year. The new Yanmar V86 and SV100-7 compact excavators are expected to attract attention.
“I’m looking forward to the show, hopefully the weather will be as good as it’s been during the build-up,” Harry said. “We’re exhibiting the Yanmar products after being named a dealer in January. So far, so good. For a small company we’re doing okay. The Yanmar machines complement the attachments already in the Field and Forest group. Shows like this let people see what other manufacturers are doing and where they are with technology. There will always be surprises. Some manufacturers will have kept something up their sleeves.”
SCG Supplies will be showcasing DEUTZ engines and innovations from Portafill, IMS, and Bruce Engineering. Since the last ScotPlant in 2022, the Airdrie-based firm has started to offer a range of strobes, light bars, cameras, and work lights, which will be on display over the weekend. Speaking during the build-up, director Paul Thorne said, “I think shows like this are important to get your brand known. I certainly think it’s a lovely thing to be able to get together. It’s fantastic this show; there’s no better place to be if the weather’s like it has been this week. Sometimes you sell machines at the show, but the best thing about it is that we quite often get squads of guys coming from a certain company that we would never get to meet. They come on the stand, get to know us, and it’s a good starting point for establishing relationships.”
The HRN/Agritrac stand is where to find the latest innovations from manufacturing giants Kubota and Hyundai, including the new Kubota KTH4815 compact telehandler, and HD Hyundai’s HW100A, which marked the company’s entry into the ten-tonne wheeled excavator market.
Andy Wilson, Kubota construction sales manager for HRN Group, said, “It’s always positive to exhibit at ScotPlant. We were here for the first time in 2022 but with limited stock. We’ve got a lot more machines this time around. We’ve got something for everyone. These shows are very good for the industry; it’s great that a lot of customers support an event like this and we look forward to seeing them. I always enjoy ScotPlant. This is where you get construction people talking about construction machines.”
ScotPlant has earned an enviable reputation over the years for providing the perfect launchpad for new products. This year is no different. SANY, which credited ScotPlant 2022 with playing a key role in growing the brand in Scotland, is back again this year with models from its new telehandler range.
The brand new JCB 370X – the largest model in the X Series range of tracked excavators – will be shown for the first time north of the border, as will the new Develon DD130-7 15.3-tonne dozer.
A new addition to the ScotPlant line-up this year is LiuGong equipment. Represented by Fox Equipment Sales, the new LiuGong Dressta TD-16N compact dozer will be unveiled. The model has already won a Red Dot Design Award and features a ‘revolutionary’ rear access system intended to reduce the risk for operators when entering or exiting the cab.
Another ScotPlant debutant is XCMG, represented by Scottish dealer Molson Group. Molson sales director Alistair Murdoch recently remarked that he expects the Chinese-manufactured excavators and wheel loaders to be the ‘talk of the show’.
Rototilt has arrived in the Scottish capital with its new RC range of tiltrotators, while Wacker Neuson will showcase the new EW100 wheeled excavator, described as setting ‘new standards’ in performance, safety, and comfort.
Other highlights are set to include Steelwrist’s third generation tiltrotators, Takeuchi’s 3-Series models, and the award-winning Vandal Guards from safety specialist DIGGER GUARD.
Liebherr is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and will have – for the first time ever at ScotPlant – a telescopic mobile crane in the form of a 50-tonne LTM 1050 in the livery of Edinburgh hirer Bernard Hunter. Indeed, ScotPlant 2024 will feature more cranes than ever before thanks to a number of specialist exhibitors including Global Crane Services, Sarens UK, Foster Cranes, Forsyth of Denny, Hird, Horizon Reinforcing & Crane Hire, Mellex Group, and Johnston Rigging (Fife).
Marubeni-Komatsu will be showcasing the new PW198-11 wheeled excavator – the first model in the UK. Elsewhere, attachments specialist Miller will demonstrate the GT quick coupler range, Rokbak will look to make home advantage count with the company’s Motherwell-built RA30 and RA40 articulated haulers, and long-time ScotPlant stalwart Pat Bulcock will look to bring the bling to the Royal Highland Centre with his new venture StypeX, which offers customisation and lighting solutions for equipment.
Hitachi made a welcome return to ScotPlant two years ago in the show’s new entrance avenue, and will be back there again with models including the latest addition to the ZX-7 range of compact diggers – the ZX95US-7. CRJ Services will be showcasing material processing kit including a Pronar MPB 20.55 GH trommel, while Blue Machinery (Scotland) announced earlier this week that it will have a 60m³ concrete batching plant on its stand after the business was confirmed as the authorised distributor for SEMIX concrete batching solutions across Scotland and the north east of England.
One of the most important additions to the ScotPlant line-up this year will be mental health presentations and advice, delivered by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. Molson has teamed up with the charity to host two daily presentations on its stand, with Lighthouse representatives available all weekend to provide information about the wide-ranging services it offers construction workers and their families. The Molson operator challenge sees the firm team up with Blackwood Plant Hire for use of a Kobelco digger boasting the vibrant Lighthouse charity colours.
ScotPlant 2024 takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, near Edinburgh Airport, from April 26-27. Entry is free. Register now at www.scotplant.com
