Thoughts from ConExpo-Con/Agg
April 6, 2011 By: Pit & Quarry StaffDid you make it to ConExpo-Con/Agg 2011? This was my fifth ConExpo, and I was never so busy. Dozens of equipment manufacturers held press events, and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association held its annual convention down the road from the Las Vegas Convention Center. It kept us journalists on the go, and I envied show attendees who could casually stroll the Expo grounds. It is such a large event, the show experience is never the same for any two people, but here are some observations on ConExpo-Con/Agg 2011 from my perspective.
• Perhaps the biggest announcement of the week came two days before the ribbon was even cut to open the show. Caterpillar unveiled its new vocational truck – the CT660 – to compete with Mack, Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, etc. Caterpillar made a big splash with its introduction into this new market.
• Equipment suppliers often use this once-every-three-year event as an opportunity to roll out new products – stuff designed to reduce downtime or increase efficiency. Volvo did just that with its introduction of the L250G wheel loader, a 9-cu.-yd. loader designed to fill triaxle on-highway trucks in only two passes. One exhibitor told me “it’s a game changer.”
• This year was a coming out party for the Chinese. Companies like LiuGong and Sany had large exhibits next to the top manufacturers. The Chinese are stepping up their push into the U.S. aggregates market.
• I applaud companies who make it fun for attendees. Godwin Pumps had a magician entertaining the crowds, and Flexco held conveyor-roller changeout competitions with members of Kyle Busch’s NASCAR pit crew. These must be a welcome oasis for people walking the endless sea of heavy equipment.
• Is the final day necessary? We ask this every time, because Saturday is a day of empty aisles and exhibitors staring at one another.
• For the first time, our coverage of the event included videos. Our contributing editor Dan Jacobs shot video at about 30 exhibits, and posted them to YouTube each day of the show. As of press time, our videos already had more than 2,000 views. See them here. – Darren Constantino
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