Logistics and materials handling touches everyone’s lives whatever is purchased, be it online, in store or delivered from a wholesaler.

The UK’s leading logistics showcase IMHX, which has a wealth of experience gained from working with providers of materials handling and logistics services, is a must attend event – for the timber trades and beyond.

Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from September 13-16, and sponsored by leading financial services provider Investec, IMHX 2016 will reflect every aspect of 21st century intralogistics showcasing the latest logistics and supply chain technology, right through to racking and the latest forklift trucks and materials handling solutions from the leading names in the business.

Present at the show will be over 100 suppliers of forklift trucks and associated products and services, over 30 supply chain and warehouse IT providers, in excess of 40 suppliers of automation solutions, over 25 companies working in packaging and well over 60 general materials handling exhibitors.

The regional heats of the RTITB Operator of the Year return to IMHX in 2016. This is held every three years to find the best forklift operator in the country and through a number of heats offers encourages operators to strive to be the best.

There will also be a demonstration area where major manufacturers will put their trucks and equipment through their paces, showing their capabilities and versatility.

IT solutions are playing a greater role in the supply chain and in response to these developments for the first time IMHX will feature a dedicated Supply Chain IT Village. Among those exhibiting will be Proteus Software, which specialises in providing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).

"IMHX is the event for anyone involved in logistics and supply chain and this is our fifth time attending," said David Bugden of Proteus.

"The new IT Village provides a great platform for technology providers to meet potential customers and showcase new innovative developments."

Also for the first time ever this year at IMHX I am pleased to announce a Skills & Apprenticeship Zone highlighting the careers available to young people in Britain’s logistics sector, and featuring leading employers from across the sector.

With over 200,000 companies employing around 2.5 million people, logistics as an industry is the fifth largest employment sector in the country – and it is booming.

Skills and Apprenticeship Zone

Our new Skills & Apprenticeship Zone will show the brightest and the best that they don’t need to choose university as their route to a good career – and that a vocational route can take them into highly skilled managerial positions, but without the considerable debt burden following graduation.

Leading companies across the UK are crying out for ambitious and motivated young people to take on interesting and challenging roles in logistics and allied industries and those participating in the Zone include leading forklift truck manufacturers Toyota Material Handling, and Linde Material Handling, whose apprentices will be stripping down and rebuilding a vehicle. The BITA Academy will providing apprenticeship information.

"We received a record number of applications for our apprenticeship scheme in last year’s intake, showing young people perceive them to be really useful for career progression," said Mark Sullivan, aftersales director for Linde Material Handling UK.

"Each year we’re seeing apprentices reaping the rewards, learning new things and setting themselves up for a fantastic future in the materials handling industry.

With approaching 450 exhibitors now having booked space, IMHX 2016 is on track to be the biggest ever. To find out more go to www.imhx.biz