Annual Bulk Handling conference success

Over 130 delegates from the materials handling industry gathered together from all corners of the UK last month to attend the Materials Handling Engineers Association's 2012 Bulk Handling Conference at Forest Pines Hotel in Lincolnshire.

Now well established as an important annual event within the materials handling industry calendar, the MHEA Bulk Handling Conference included an extensive and varied programme which had been tailored to appeal to all delegates. The two day event consisted of six sessions, each of which was divided into a series of papers which in turn were presented by eminent representatives from the materials handling industry both from the UK and from as far afield as Australia and Germany. The lively and informative and interactive sessions included a complete cross section of topics covering all aspects of materials handling.

The conference was formally opened by the MHEA's new President Paul Bancroft before he handed over to the guest opening speaker Richard Stansfield, Managing Director of the UK's leading independent lime supplier Singleton Birch.

With an exhibition showcasing new products running throughout the two days, and with the conference concluding with the annual golf tournament which was this year won by Malcolm Sharpley of Fairport Engineering Limited one of the main highlights of the conference was the gala dinner. The guest speaker this year was the comedian John Stiles, the son of England World Cup Winner Nobby Stiles. John who is well known on the circuit for his hugely entertaining after dinner presentations certainly lived up to his reputation of quick up-to-the minute humour which he combined with a raft of captivating impersonations.

Commenting on the event, Secretary of the MHEA and organiser of the conference Peter Webster said, "The feedback we have received from both speakers and delegates has been extremely positive. The conference has now established a very familiar and simple format which enables delegates to get the most out of the conference. Not only does our Bulk Handling Conference allow people to get a deeper understanding into different areas of our industry in a relaxed environment, but it also provides the ideal environment for delegates to really network and forge strong links with each other, the importance of which cannot be underestimated. Overall this years' conference was probably the best to date, we are now looking forward to next year's event."

In his closing speech and summary Paul Bancroft expressed his sincerest thanks to the three key sponsors of this year's conference which included Flexco, Siemens Industrial Automation & Drive Technologies, and Schenck Process UK Ltd.