Skip to main content

CEA showcase gets ministerial approval

Business Minister Mark Prisk visited a construction industry showcase at the Department of Business and Innovation Skills (BIS) in London yesterday. During the event, the Minister met Rob Oliver, chief executive of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), who also represented Datatag; and senior figures from Terex; Taylor Construction Plant; JCB; Nyclast Ltd; and Perkins Engines. Each company had more than five minutes with the Minister to discuss their products and their concerns in the industry inclu
May 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Business Minister Mark Prisk visited a construction industry showcase at the 5586 Department of Business and Innovation Skills (BIS) in London yesterday.

During the event, the Minister met Rob Oliver, chief executive of the CEA (3418 Construction Equipment Association), who also represented 5463 Datatag; and senior figures from 1222 Terex; 5464 Taylor Construction Plant; 255 JCB; Nyclast Ltd; and 299 Perkins Engines.

Each company had more than five minutes with the Minister to discuss their products and their concerns in the industry including the skill shortage in the construction sector and how more encouragement and incentives from the Government was needed for UK manufacturers to export.

Speaking at the showcase, Prisk said: “The construction equipment industry is one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors, and contributes £8.5 billion to our economy each year. Most people don’t realise that the UK is the second largest net exporter of construction equipment in the world. Over 75 per cent of products manufactured in the UK are exported to 150 countries world-wide. That is an impressive figure.

"This showcase is just one of the steps this Government is taking to demonstrate just how innovative and world-leading our manufacturing base is here in the UK, and change perceptions that as a country we don't make anything anymore.”

CEA chief executive Oliver said: “We were delighted when BIS approached the CEA to stage the first ever construction equipment industry showcase at its headquarters.

“There is a growing awareness that Britain’s construction equipment sector is a major force in manufacturing and worth billions to the UK economy; this showcase is the perfect platform to shout about just how ‘great’ Britain is.

“The ‘Constructing the Future’ showcase is also all about encouraging new blood into the industry. Engineers, skilled operators – there are huge opportunities in the UK construction equipment sector which currently employs more than 55,000 people.”

The public is being encouraged to come and see the showcase until 25 May, 2012, and show their support of the UK construction equipment sector.

Related Content

  • Democratisation of technology: an interview with Ivan Di Federico
    June 20, 2025
    A very different global future is emerging where a successful business must have a large amount of the right data and access to the best technology. But for long-term success a business must create value for its customers, says Ivan Di Federico, formerly chief strategy officer and now president and chief executive officer of Topcon Positioning Systems. He talks to Anthony Oliver, host of the Infrastructure podcast.
  • CEA awarded Saudi Arabia construction and mining trade mission
    January 22, 2013
    The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has been awarded a key Saudi Arabia Trade Mission by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to enhance Saudi construction and mining equipment supply chains with UK manufacturers. The Trade Mission will also focus on opportunities to develop skills, training and education in the construction and mining sectors in Saudi Arabia. Also working on behalf of the British Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia, the CEA trade mission between 16th and 20th March 2013 includes a top-
  • Training as well as test equipment is a must for emerging markets
    April 27, 2015
    Emerging markets, such as North and East Africa, are developing an appetite for materials testing equipment, but suppliers need to provide expertise and training as well as a broad range of machines, as Kristina Smith finds out Asking what sort of testing equipment is required for Africa is a little bit like asking what sort of food Europeans like to eat. The answer is that requirements vary enormously from the most basic and ancient of tests to the very cutting edge of dynamic testing. “You have some
  • Eurasphalt & Eurobitume 2016 Congress calls for better communication
    August 5, 2016
    The bitumen industry needs to learn how to communicate with road owners, road users, and communities. This was one of the underlying themes to emerge from the Eurasphalt & Eurobitume 2016 Congress, held in the Czech capital Prague in June. Kristina Smith was there.