The changing face of construction at UKCW

Construction output is returning to growth, which is a welcome sign following a difficult start to the beginning of the year. Tooling, connecting and upskilling construction buyers and suppliers to handle this growth is the UK’s premier built environment event, UK Construction Week (UKCW).

Birmingham’s NEC between 9 – 11 October will be overflowing with more than 10,000 innovative products and 650 exhibitors, seminars, CPD sessions and endless networking opportunities. A must-attend for anyone wishing to get ahead of their competition.

Future of Construction

The ‘Future of Construction’ is UKCW’s theme for 2018 which explores the latest innovative ideas, products and systems in the industry.

The Future of Construction Hub, in collaboration with Birmingham City University, provides an immersive opportunity to discover digital construction, 3D printing, robotics, AI and AR and modern methods of construction.

An Innovation Trail takes visitors on a journey of the latest innovative ideas, products and systems from companies including: Gripsure, which is launching two new products at the show: Gripsure Ecodek and Gripsure made with Accoya; Soudal and its new Genius Gun expanding foam; Kensington Traders with its balustrade systems and anti-skateboard fittings; and Velux with its new intuitive smart windows and curved glass rooflight.

New products will be shown from exhibitors such as Hikoki, formerly Hitachi power tools, which is launching its new Multi Volt range; Trumpf, showcasing its latest high-performance wireless power tools; Karcher, bringing its new range of wet and dry safety vacuum cleaners; and OnLevel, with two new product launches.

Other exhibitors include: Aggregate Industries, American Softwoods, Cemex, Glennon Brothers, Kessel, Kingspan, Quinn Building Products, The Concrete Centre, and Tradepoint (B&Q).

With so much to see and do at the show, use your time wisely and arrange a time and date to meet exhibitors via their profile page on the UKCW website.

Broaden your horizons

Once the deals are made, visitors can get up-to-date on industry issues and business tips from leading industry experts.

• UKCW Stage hosts high-level discussions with speakers such as Barbara Res, the project manager behind Trump Tower; Lord David Blunkett; and Kunle Barker, property expert and TV presenter, leading the panel discussion.
• Infrastructure Hub in Civils Expo discusses enabling sub-contractors, and power for a cleaner, quieter world with speakers from Equality Gold and Intelligent Energy;
• Regeneration Hub, sponsored by Easy-Trim, at the Build Show includes topics on the circular economy and the future of construction skills post-Brexit with speakers from Arup and the Home Builders Federation.
• Timber Focus Theatre, supported by TRADA, at Timber Expo covers timber cladding and fire safety performance and making the right connection with speakers including Ramboll Engineers.

Free CPD sessions cover topics including the future of your construction performance – is data your friend? and Building Regulations – update post-Grenfell. Seats for CPD sessions are limited, so booking is essential.

A Working at Height CPD hub will be supported by the Access Industry Forum, and health and safety CPD sessions are available from OM Group’s stand. A separate CPD programme is also being run by the BRE Academy, covering topics such as BIM, ethical labour sourcing, offsite construction, urban planning and design, and more.

Other show highlights include:

• UKCW Role Models winner announced on 10 October;
• IEMA sustainability conference;
• Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) Time for Timber workshop;
• The Institute of Civil Engineers ‘Save Civil City’ challenge; and
• The Beer Festival, sponsored by Velux.

Get your free visitor tickets from www.ukconstructionweek.com and keep up-to-date via the website and on Twitter at @UK_CW or using the hashtag #UKCW2018.

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