EUROPE'S biggest show for van and truck operators takes place at the NEC Birmingham, from March 23-25. Here we list some of the exhibitors who will be showing off products and services for van fleets.

ATP

Advanced Technical Panels (ATP), the UK custom-built panel distributor, celebrates its 20th anniversary at the show. Products being launched include a new range of improved wear-resistant commercial vehicle decking options, which provide an increased floor lifespan, Autofloor revolutionary van kits that can be supplied in specific sizes, and Riga PVC, a UV stable flooring panel, which is available in a variety of colours. ATP will also be exhibiting its wide range of van and commercial vehicle flooring boards, including Truckdeck, Hexa-Grip, Kopla Deck, Koski-Carat and its exclusive selection of Buffalo Board.

ATS

ATS Euromaster will be at the show exhibiting two tyre management systems – Euromaster Inspector and Euromaster Reporter. Specialists from the sales team will also be on hand to provide advice and discuss tyre management issues with visitors.

Boyriven

Two special 'half bodies' are being built specially for the show by European parts firm Boyriven, to demonstrate many of the innovations added to its range in the past 12 months.
These will include Boyriven's personnel door and lighting kits, rivetless construction system, Boyriflex 660 construction adhesive and made-to-measure rear doors and roofs. One of the two 'bodies' will be open-sided, featuring the company's curtain sides, curtain tensioners, a sliding roof and Boyriven's rapid-delivery made-to-measure rear doors.
The second will be solid-sided, showing off the company's easy-to-fit personnel doors, associated hardware, load-lock fittings and lighting.

Bri-Stor

VAN racking specialist Bri-Stor will be having its biggest-ever display at the show, reflecting the firm's recent £100,000 investment in new production facilities. Three vans will be on the stand – a Ford Transit Connect, Ford Transit and a customer vehicle, all equipped with a wide range of Bri-Stor systems.

Carrier Transicold

THE firm is launching Intelliset, a flexible micro programming system, to help operators save information on up to 30 commodities so that the temperature can be set according to the products carried. Carrier Transicold says Intelliset will cut driver error, simplify fleet programming and give operators the flexibility to change temperature settings as they choose.

cfc solutions

THE software provider is launching an advanced module for CV fleets at the show after successfully cutting costs for car fleet operators. The Customer Relationship Module is designed to conditionally automate a whole range of everyday tasks and works in conjunction with the FleetPlus system. Meanwhile a new Report Writer module will be demonstrated for medium to large fleets. It allows data from any source to be inputted.

Citroen

CITROEN'S newly-launched Enterprise range, offering extra specification to normal models, will be on view at the show. The new-look Dispatch will take centre stage. It has a new front end and comes with improved seats, driver's airbag and a reduction in noise levels in the cab. Two special Enterprise versions add ABS brakes and remote central locking for £180 extra.

DaimlerChrysler

THERE will be a large display of trucks and vans on the stand, including the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and new Vito, which is making its UK show premiere. The new Vito comes in short and long wheelbase versions and the 2.0-litre diesel engine comes with power ranging from 88bhp to 150bhp. There will also be five Mitsubishi Canter models on show in crewcab, tipper and dropside formats.

Fiat

BOASTING a record year for van sales in 2003, Fiat will be showing off the latest version of the Scudo light panel van at the show, with a new front end and extra comfort and safety features. Payload is 900kg and loadspace is four cubic metres. Also making its debut is the facelifted Doblo Cargo, offering updated styling and equipment and a new 1.3-litre Multijet 16v common rail diesel engine. Meanwhile the 1.9JTD motor gets a power boost to 105bhp, making it the most powerful car-derived van on the market.

Fleet Safety Forum

The Fleet Safety Forum, a division of Brake the national road safety charity, is making its debut at the show offering visitors an interactive fleet safety check on topics including mobile phone use, alcohol, eyesight, Highway Code knowledge and tyres. Fleet safety and occupational road risk have risen to the top of the health and safety at work agenda for 2004. It is vital that any professional within the industry keeps up-to-date with key issues in order to prevent work related crashes, protect against prosecution and reduce vehicle repair costs and insurance premiums. The Fleet Safety Forum will be on hand to offer visitors advice on fleet safety issues and will be offering subscription to the Forum for the discounted rate of just £60 (+VAT) (usual cost £85 (+VAT)) for the duration of the show.

Ford

Britain's best-selling commercial vehicle manufacturer led the medium sector for the 38th year with 57,811 sales, up 5% on 2002. This also means that Transit outsold its nearest rival by more than two and half times.
A 'vantastic' special has been added to this year's stand, X-Press Transit Connect. X-Press Connect is the result of Ford's engineers taking a short wheelbase Transit Connect, adding a Focus RS engine, roll cage, 18-inch wheels and Sparco racing seats. It's a one-off with a 212bhp, 2.0-litre engine. Also on the stand is the new Fiesta Van, Ranger Thunder Double Cab, Transit Connect, Transit One-way Tipper, a Transit transporter, a selection of Transits including Jumbo and a 15-seat Transit minibus.

Handistep

Handistep, on the Walker Scott stand, was launched at last year's show and this year there will be several examples on display. The steps are approved by van manufacturers such as Ford and Volkswagen and are specified by BT Fleet among others. Handistep has single, twin or triple-step configurations.

Hatcher Components

Hatcher Components will be displaying a number of its Pony Integrated Sleeper Modules and Space Masters for the van and LCV market. The range covers just about every light commercial vehicle on UK roads and includes some of the more unusual marques that are coming through. The module has a bunk and comes with sidestreamers and collars, opening side windows, lights, TV point and storage space. Fitting time is less than two days.

Hetra

Hetra Services, specialist in commercial vehicle lifts, will be launching the new generation RGE lift at the show. The RGE has combined the forces of the RGZ and RGL lifts to create the first heavy-duty mobile vehicle lift that you build yourself.

H-Modul

THE racking specialist will be showing off a new range at the show. Four vehicles will be on the stand equipped with all the racks and accessories available – Ford Transit Connect, Vauxhall Vivaro, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit.

Iveco

IVECO is taking 600 square metres of display space at the show and the Daily will be among the vehicles on show. There will be four vans on show, with load volumes of 10-17 cubic metres and performance outputs of between 116bhp and 145bhp. One version will feature an Ingimex aluminium tipper body.

LDV

LDV claims it is set to give 'a clear indication of its long-term product plans' at the show. Tony Lewis, LDV's executive director, sales and marketing, said: '2004 is set to be an amazing year for LDV as we ramp up for the launch of our new range of light commercial vehicles later in the year.'
LDV will show six vehicles, including Pilot, Convoy minibus, Convoy extra long wheelbase van and Convoy crewcab tipper.

Manheim Auctions

Manheim Auctions will be launching three new products at the show. Details are being kept under wraps but they cover electronic vehicle inspections, a new industry fair wear and tear standard specifically for light commercials and a used commercial vehicle pricing service.

Throughout the show, Alex Wright, commercial vehicle sales director, and his team will be providing on-the-spot expert advice and live product demonstrations. Watch a 'fly on the wall' video footage of commercial auctions in progress as well as the range of value-added services that shows how easy and profitable it is to buy and sell commercial vehicles using Manheim's national auction network.

Penny Hydraulics

Penny Hydraulics will launch the new Easyloader, a 500kg tail-lift or light vans and pick-ups, at the show.
The Easyloader will be manufactured in the UK and, in line with the other lifting products in its range, bespoke versions will be available including a disabled access upgrade. It will be competitively priced with rugged reliability, which has been the main driving force behind the design. Two new cranes designed for heavier pumps and remote locations are now undergoing field trials. One is a variant of the MaxiLoader 1000kg SwingLift mounted on a Land Rover Defender (pictured), the other a 500kg Foldaway crane fitted to a Citroen Relay van.

Ratcliff

LIFT maker Ratcliff is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the show. On display will be a new fully-automatic 350kg inboard lift for panel vans and box bodies, the 500kg Flexi-Lift range and the latest design in double-tier lifts.

Renault

Renault UK will be exhibiting its new Trafic Crew Van due to go on sale in the spring and the concept Trafic Deck 'Up van at the show. The long wheelbase, low roof 29dCi 100 Trafic Crew Van has space for up to six people and cargo. The rear storage compartment can hold objects measuring up to 2.05m and the multi-function bench seat has double side storage, cup/mobile ashtray holder and locker under the cushion to store clothes, equipment or tools out of sight. Two sliding side doors with opening windows and glazed rear doors come as standard. The Crew van will be available on the short and long wheelbase. The Trafic Deck'Up is a new concept based on the Renault Trafic, a benchmark in the compact van segment which was voted International Van Of The Year in 2002. It is a cross between a family leisure vehicle and a traditional pick-up.

Satamatics

Satamatics, the operator of global satellite-based telematics information services, is showing its ultra-compact asset tracking and security monitoring systems at the show. Using mobile satellite technology, Satamatics' direct-to-desktop, end-to-end solutions for the land transport industry offer cost-effective operation with competitively-structured airtime packages. Commercial vehicle users – including logistics services, transport managers, fleet and hire operators – can monitor the location, movement history and security status of their vehicles, from any desktop or laptop with an internet connection. In addition, their drivers can have access to a panic button, enabling them to transmit an undetectable alarm message in an emergency.

Siemens VDO

THE company will be displaying its hi-tech innovations at the show, including digital tachographs, online tacho analysis, speed limiters and automotive black boxes.

Signs Express

Signs Express plans to launch a new vehicle livery design and application service at the show. The firm will use its stand, a display in the Atrium area and a series of demonstrations throughout the exhibition to show the different effects and finishes available for all sizes and types of vehicle.

SPL

THE specialist speed limiter manufacturer will be showing its extended range at the show. The Speed Alert is a device which can be set at various speeds to warn a driver if he or she is speeding by an audio or visual alert while the Top Speed Limiter can put a cap on maximum rev range of a vehicle. The new Selectable Speed Limiter is dash-mounted and can be set for top speed in varying driving situations. SPL says speed limiters can raise safety standards while cutting fuel costs.

T@lecom

THE company will offer customers a £30 a month saving on its Wireless Delivered system and a free vehicle tracking service for orders at the show. The firm will have a half price deal on its satellite navigation option and says its Wireless Delivered is the most advanced mobile data solution available to the transport industry. Also new is CardHolder Present, a credit card checking scheme to help cut credit card fraud.

TLS

National vehicle rental firm TLS, part of GE Equipment Services, has a new corporate identity and repositioning for the business in 2004. The industry will have a chance to see the new corporate identity at the show. As one of the UK's largest rental and leasing companies, the positioning for the company going forward is based upon 'Setting Hire Standards' – providing flexible services to suit customer requirements.

TruTac

TruTac specialises in deriving information from tachograph discs for provision of comprehensive driver and vehicle conformance and utilisation. It will unveil TruControl version 3.5 at the show, the company's latest product with improved features that are designed to fulfil the latest demands of UK legislation on the commercial vehicle operator. Martin Taylor-Smith, CEO and Chris Telfer, sales and marketing director, will be available to discuss the roadmap for TruControl's functions and features, simplifying business for fleet managers in light of new Working Time Directive legislation and moving toward the digital tachograph and what this means for commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers.

Vauxhall

VAUXHALL is the tiger of the sales charts at present, racking up an astonishing increase which has seen Ford's market leadership reduced by 11 points. Last autumn saw the introduction of a new Movano panel van offering load volumes from eight to 13.9 cubic metres and a new 3.0-litre diesel powerplant is hitting the showrooms at present. There will also be examples of the Corsavan, Astravan, Combo and Vivaro on the stand, together with crewcab versions of Combo and Vivaro.

Volkswagen

The UK launch of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' New Caddy Van will take place at the show. The new Caddy is designed to have the loadspace of a commercial vehicle but with the manoeuvrability of a passenger car. The load compartment has a capacity of 3.2 cubic metres and a net payload of 750kg. The towing capacity of the new Caddy allows it to pull a fully-laden trailer up to 1,500kg. Sharing the stand with the New Caddy will be the all new Transporter. It is available as a panel van, kombi and eight-seater shuttle. All three models will be on display.

WRAP

VISITORS interested in increasing payload and reducing fuel costs will be interested in a display by WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) which will be launching Panelplus, a lightweight, environmentally-beneficial truck body panelling material.

  • For full details of the CV Show, log on to www.cvshow.com