ConFor has reported record crowds and excellent trade results from exhibitors at this year’s APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition at Cannock.
Late summer sunshine made for great conditions during the September 18-20 event at Cannock Chase, which saw 16,000 visitors (up 18%) and 250 exhibitors (up 22%) attend. One exhibitor sold 11 sawmills and another took orders worth nearly £1m.
James Paice MP, shadow secretary of state for agriculture and rural affairs, opened proceedings by cutting a log from the cab of a harvester.
The event, owned by ConFor and supported by forestry and forest technology companies, featured the European Lumberjack Sports Championships, the European Poleclimbing Championships, the UK Forwarder Driving Championships and the UK Fencing Championships.
“A memorable sight for me was 700 schoolchildren being introduced to forestry, led by enthusiastic industry volunteers,” said ConFor chief executive Stuart Goodall. “That is a real investment for the future and I would like to thank all those who helped.”
ConFor recruited 57 new members at the event.