ITT Hub to expand next year after debut success

ITT Hub (Innovation & Technology in Transport) bosses have announced expansion plans for next year’s show following a successful inaugural event at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre earlier this summer: one of the first to demonstrate that such large-scale face-to-face events were feasible in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

4,000 transport industry professionals attended the event which took place on 30 June – 1 July, including engineers and managing directors, as well as government and influencers. More than 150 exhibitors took space with indoor and outdoor stands, showcasing a variety of products and services, while the outdoor Ride & Drive experiences proved popular with attendees.

More than 20 vehicle manufacturers were among the exhibitors, including Fiat, Ford, Iveco – with a variety of trucks, minibuses and vans, including its heavy S-Way range and X-Way tipper – and DAF Trucks, which debuted its New Generation DAF XG+ 6×2 tractor unit, as well as its LF Electric and CF Electric zero-emissions trucks.

Meanwhile Volta Trucks launched its Volta Zero full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle for city centre applications, while Wrightbus showcased the launch of its first hydrogen-fuelled double-decker bus.

Among the line-up of speakers at Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference which ran alongside the exhibition, British astronaut Major Tim Peake CMG took the stage to stress the importance of decarbonising transport for the health of the planet.

Mark Griffin, CEO at ITT Hub, said: “What a brilliant inauguration for ITT Hub. We were thrilled to welcome thousands of visitors, exhibitors and speakers to the event to explore the future of transport and tackle the challenges we face together as an industry.

“We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from the show and, after just one event, ITT Hub has already been established as a vital platform for anyone working in transport. As part of our growth strategy, we are curating a portfolio of recycling and waste management, cold chain storage and distribution, plus even more of the energy and charging technology infrastructure experts for next year’s event.

“These additions to our exhibition and programme are the next logical step in the development of the all year round ITT Hub activity and I can’t wait to show the industry what we are going to do next.”

Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, added: “This was a remarkable debut for ITT Hub and we are thrilled we could partner with the team at Binswood Media to deliver an event of such resounding success. ITT Hub is a pioneering platform for the transport industry, which will see the launch of revolutionary innovations, landmark government announcements and invaluable relationship building amongst industry leaders.

“The future of the event is bright and, as the new owners of ITT Hub, we are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Mark Griffin and utilising our exceptional expertise and resources to grow ITT Hub into the leading event and news channel in the sector.”

Exhibitor Carlos Rodrigues, managing director of Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, added: “ITT Hub was a great show – I will certainly be looking forward to coming back next year. We had more than 60 or 70 customers take part in the Ride & Drive so that has been a great experience. Thank you to all the people that make the show happen.”

Organisers have confirmed that ITT Hub and the Future Logistics Conference will return to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre on 11 – 12 May 2022. Plans will reportedly see the event grow by 20 per cent and attract 2,000 additional attendees and 50 expert exhibitors.

An additional 4,000 sq m of indoor exhibition space will be developed as the Cold Chain Hub, a newly branded area run by the TCS&D (Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution) Event, which will accommodate over 50 companies in the sector.

Gareth Rogers added: “The entire distribution sector for trailers and cold chain is a hugely significant part of the transport piece. Refrigerated products and technology are advancing at pace, as part of the drive towards decarbonisation of transport.

“At Farnborough International, we have the space, the team, the expertise and above all, the commitment to bringing the entire commercial road-based transport sector to ITT Hub.”

Martyn Cogan, director of TCS&D, added: “I am so excited about this opportunity. As an established family business, we have a long history in this market, and we look forward to hosting our companies, supporters and industry colleagues at this world-class venue. We will be able to use our expertise in the sector coupled with the much larger venue team to create a pioneering showcase for the industry.

“We are aiming to bring back the ever popular TCS&D Trade Dinner to the first evening of the show, creating an event which takes us to another level. It’s a great opportunity for the entire industry to support this collaboration and I can’t wait to get started.”

Following the 2021 TCS&D event this month, the 2022 TCS&D Show will be integrated into ITT Hub, running on an annual basis.