BMHF to host European Materials Handling Congress in York

This year's FEM Congress will take place on 18th and 19th September 2014 at the Royal York Hotel in York (UK). Organised by the BMHF (British Materials Handling Federation), FEM's British National Committee, this will be the 35th staging of the annual event which is expected to attract more than 120 delegates from manufacturers and suppliers of industrial trucks, mobile elevating work platforms, automated systems, dock levellers, lift tables plus racking and shelving products.

Membership of the BMHF is open to UK Trade Associations whose member companies engage in the design, manufacture or supply of materials handling equipment, and their component suppliers. BMHF collectively represents over 400 companies with more than 25,000 employees and operating in an industry with a total turnover exceeding £3.5 billion. Initial interest in the Congress reflects this impressive portfolio with confirmed bookings already received from delegates based around the world including the UK, other European countries, USA, China and Japan.

The FEM Conference programme will include a range of different topics with a particular focus on current megatrends in logistics and distribution. Paul Brooks of Unipart Consulting will address the trends in the automotive sector whilst Vincent Maurice, Vice-President Operations, Danone, will discuss how latest trends are affecting the food industry.

E-commerce will also be covered during the conference, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Peter MacLeod, Editor of SHD Logistics.

Delegates and partners will also be invited to attend a cocktail reception and dinner at the National Railway Museum in York on day one of the event. Castle Howard, home of the Howard family for more than 300 years, will provide the setting for another cocktail reception and dinner on the second day.

The 2014 FEM Congress coincides with the Alliance of Industrial Truck Organisations, with meetings for the global industrial truck industry, to be held 18th- 20th September at the same venue. Delegates are invited to attend a selection of the scheduled sessions of the Congress and the Alliance meeting, including the social events.

Many of the world's leading materials handling and logistics organisations will be represented at the Congress including NACCO Materials Handling Limited. David Rowell, the company's Product Marketing Manager and BMHF Vice-President, is looking forward to the Congress. He says, "It is imperative that forward-thinking companies are part of the European scene.  The FEM Congress offers a unique opportunity to mix and discuss issues with industry colleagues from many other countries, Europe and beyond.  NACCO will be there!"