Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show starts this week

Apr. 5, 2010 – The Maritimes’ largest Heavy Equipment show is back and bigger than ever at the Moncton Coliseum, April 8-9, 2010. Since 1986, the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show (AHES) has evolved into a must attend event for the heavy equipment, road building, forestry and logging sectors.
 
“The 2010 edition of the AHES is a complete wall-to-wall sell out. Inside space for the large equipment exhibitors is maxed-out with a growing waiting list every year! We are using every square inch we can find in all 6 buildings and could use more. The outside exhibit space is also at capacity with almost as much space being used there as inside the actual facility and we could not be more pleased,” says Show Manager, Mark Cusack. “It’s a unique problem to have, but we are squeezing every inch out of this facility,” says Cusack.
 
Atlantic Canada is a hot bed for infrastructure spending and it shows no signs of slowing. Many highway and construction projects that have been supported by all levels of government have been unveiled and as early as last month several major contracts were awarded that will keep those in the heavy construction and road-building industries busy for several years.  72 million has been earmarked for 32 community infrastructure projects, including 8.6 million in road improvements in Miramichi, more than 7.5 million for roads and ferries, and countless others that span the entire maritime region.
 
All the major players in the heavy equipment industry will be at this fantastic show, highlighting the latest and most innovative heavy equipment that will be needed to get these mega projects done on time, and on budget.
 
“It’s not just dozers and big tractors,” explains the President of the Atlantic Land Improvement Contractors Association Mike Shea. “This show encompasses many industries, including the forestry and logging sectors, which are also on the cusp of an upswing,” said Shea. “We are proud to be involved with this huge event and are excited to watch it grow as it has.”
 
Housing starts are on the rise in North America, mills are reopening and a Royal Bank of Canada Executive recently said lumber could be the oil of the next decade. The most efficient and innovative heavy forestry equipment will be required to keep up with the increased demand. The AHES coincides with the three-day spring meetings of the Canadian Woodlands Forum and will likely draw a significant forestry audience on top of the massive turnout expected from the heavy equipment and construction sector.
 
This big event also leads to big economic spin-offs for Moncton and the surrounding communities. “Hosting trade shows such as the boat show, heavy equipment show, MEET, etc. has a very important impact on the hospitality industry in Greater Moncton, and is especially beneficial to lodging, restaurants and bars, retail, transportation and other related industries” says General Manager of the Delta Beausejour Hotel, Raymond Roberge.   “These shows bring in travelers from the local markets and beyond, quite often during off season periods and showcase the community and its businesses. Visitors to these shows quite often return to the metro area as tourists and leisure market consumers, with a positive economic spin-off to the community” explained Roberge.


Here is just a sampling of exhibitors on board for this colossal event; Komatsu, Case, Cat, John Deere, New Holland, Volvo, Tigercat, Wajax, JCB, Liebherr, Valmet, Craig, Kobelco, Ponsse, Sennebogen, Fuchs…. and many more. There is no doubt the BIG IRON will be in Moncton. For a complete exhibitor list, please visit www.ahes.ca .