PLANT machinery exhibition PLANTWORX, due to take place in 2021, has been postponed a year, in order to facilitate the already pushed back Hillhead 2020.

Traditionally, the PLANTWORX and Hillhead shows are held in alternate years. Quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition Hillhead was due to take place in June of this year but was delayed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Now, the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has agreed to postpone the 2021 PLANTWORX show until 2022, freeing up the calendar for the Hillhead 2020 show to be rescheduled for next year.

Commenting on the postponement, CEA chief executive, Rob Oliver explained: “Of course we didn’t want to postpone our show, but after discussions with the Hillhead management we concluded that it would be in the best interests of our exhibitors and the wider construction and quarrying industries if we reset the clock and allowed Hillhead the diary space in 2021.

“Few people expected the impact of coronavirus just a couple of weeks ago, so we thought it best to make a quick decision, so the industry had some clarity. As a trade association now, we need to focus our resources on helping our members through the unprecedented challenges arising from coronavirus which affects both lives and livelihoods.”

PLANTWORX show director, Simon Frere-Cook MBE, commented: “We had some great plans for 2021, but they will remain intact for 2022. We will also make sure that there are PLANTWORX related activities right through to 2022 in support of our industry.

“The downside for me is not being able to keep our organising team fully employed due to the delay and disappointing the charities we had lined up to support via the show. A positive is a good relationship we have with our Peterborough venue and we will be working closely with them to deliver a great event in two years.”