PlantWorx 2025 Closes with Strong Sales, Innovation and Optimism for the Future
PlantWorx 2025, the UK’s largest working construction equipment exhibition, concluded on 25th September at Newark Showground after three vibrant days that saw innovation, sustainability, and collaboration take centre stage.
Drawing over 10,000 visitors and hosting more than 300 exhibitors, this year’s event reaffirmed its role as a key meeting point for the construction machinery and technology community, not just in Britain, but globally.
A Record-Breaking Turnout
PlantWorx 2025 attracted visitors from across the UK and far beyond, including delegations from Latin America, Asia, and even Mongolia, highlighting its growing global influence. The event also saw 107 new exhibitors, some signing up only days before the show, a clear signal of the sector’s confidence and appetite for innovation.
The indoor pavilion became a bustling hub, affectionately described as an “Aladdin’s cave” of technology, packed with everything from precision tools to advanced software solutions. For many, it was an opportunity to reconnect, discover new products, and strike meaningful business deals.
Innovation Drives the Show
As expected, innovation was the heartbeat of PlantWorx. Major launches and live demonstrations were everywhere, setting the tone for the industry’s next big leap.
- GAP Hire Solutions wowed visitors with its Fusion Pulse welfare units, the GP360 and GPO660, blending solar technology and smart power management to drastically reduce generator use.
- Takeuchi showcased its new TL compact track loaders (TL8R-2 and TL12V-2) alongside its impressive range of electric excavators, including the TB10e.
- Parksafe Group introduced its Human Form Recognition (HFR) system under the new Zone AI brand, reflecting the growing importance of AI-powered safety on site.
- Safety Shield Global presented its S.T.R.E.A.M app, offering a real-time glimpse into the future of connected site safety.
Meanwhile, IPG Energy turned heads with a fuel-flexible generator capable of running on hydrogen, LPG, e-fuels, and diesel blends, a nod to the hybrid future of site power. Sunward brought a line-up of compact excavators and scissor lifts, including the SWE 08F and SWE 35UF, which proved popular among fleet operators seeking efficiency and reliability.
Heavy Hitters and High Flyers
One of the biggest crowd-pullers came from Finning UK & Ireland, unveiling the Cat® 285 XE Compact Track Loader, the most powerful in its class and powered by a 3.6-litre Cat engine built in Peterborough.
Cat Product Expert Jas Kundra noted: “They don’t get any bigger than this, and the 285 XE is perfect for operators wanting to lift larger payloads and traverse longer distances. You can even raise the bucket while still opening the door, ideal on a trailer or uneven ground.”
Elsewhere, Merlo delivered one of the event’s most memorable experiences. Visitors lined up for a chance to ascend 35 metres in the ROTO 50.30 S PLUS, taking in panoramic views of the showground. With its 5-tonne capacity, 30-metre lift height, and 360° turret rotation, it showcased why Merlo remains synonymous with precision and innovation.
Manitou impressed too, unveiling the MRT 4070 rotating telescopic handler, a 40-metre, 7-tonne powerhouse focused on operator safety and ergonomic comfort.
Success Stories and Strong Sales
Exhibitors were quick to praise the show’s atmosphere and business value. Richard White of Site Arc called it “a fantastic show,” adding that they’d taken orders on-site and plan to return “bigger and better” in 2027.
Peter Spillard of Spillard Safety said his team had “plenty of productive conversations,” while Scott McCabe of PVS Data described PlantWorx as “the ideal platform to meet tier-one contractors and key buyers.”
Partnerships also blossomed at the event. Groundhog announced a long-term collaboration with GAP Group to deliver sustainable mobile welfare units, a partnership designed to span decades. Sales & Marketing Director Peter Beach praised the show’s organisation and confirmed: “We’ll definitely be back for PlantWorx 2027.”
Meanwhile, Xwatch Safety Solutions celebrated a major win, taking home the PlantWorx Innovation Award (Safety Category) for its next-gen Mk2 system. “Winning the Innovation Award was the highlight of the week,” said Jemma Dycer Hopkins, adding that the show offered unparalleled opportunities to discuss the future of safety and telematics.
Big Names, Big Impact
JCB once again commanded attention with one of the largest and busiest stands at the show. Event Manager Charlotte Etemad said: “It’s been great to engage with customers and dealers, and to have our sales and product teams here together.” JCB’s presence was further amplified when they won the Best Stand Build Award during the show.
SANY UK & Ireland also had reason to celebrate. Reuben Stapells revealed that Lynch Plant Hire would take delivery of SANY’s new 3.5-tonne electric excavator immediately after the event, a milestone for both companies’ sustainability goals. Leigh Harris, SANY’s Business Development Director, confirmed record deals and called it “our most successful show yet.”
The sight of ‘SOLD’ stickers plastered across machines from XCMG, Hightop, and others proved that PlantWorx remains a true working show, where transactions happen in real time.
Adrenaline and Engagement
The new PlantWorx Drag Race became an instant crowd favourite. Ford Rangers from Evans Halshaw roared down the runway towing fully loaded trailers, thrilling spectators. Scott Heath, CV Sales Leader, confirmed: “We’ve already made nine sales from the event, that’s a great success for us.”
The Operators Challenge, sponsored by JCB, was another hit, with skilled drivers wowing audiences while influencers like Digging with Dave kept energy levels high. The Site Sustainability Showcase also drew huge interest, spotlighting hydrogen-powered equipment, solar-hybrid systems, and battery storage innovations.
Luis Bassett, Decarbonisation & Sustainability Manager at the CPA, summed it up: “The diversity of technologies and engagement this year was outstanding. We must keep our options open and support all forms of progress, not just perfection.”
Celebrating Innovation and People
The PlantWorx Innovation Awards, sponsored by Finning Cat, Merlo, and DBT, were once again a highlight. Worsley Plant won Best Use of Engineering & Technology for its Dynaset HRVB bucket, Kubota earned the Alternative Power Award for its Electric Retrofit Kit, and Gaia Group took the Sustainability Initiative Award for Automate®. The Excellence in Workforce Development Award went jointly to Rethinking Futures and Lynch Plant’s Second Chances Programme.
CEA CEO Viki Bell praised the winners: “These awards show how committed our industry is to tackling challenges, from emissions and safety to skills and innovation.”
PlantWorx also put a spotlight on the next generation of engineers. The Rethinking Futures programme and Student Day encouraged young talent to explore real-world engineering challenges, helping to shape the workforce of tomorrow.
A Bright Outlook for 2027
Social media buzzed with photos and videos of demos, machines, and crowds, extending PlantWorx’s reach well beyond Newark. Exhibitors reported strong engagement, new partnerships, and perhaps most importantly a shared sense of optimism.
CEA CEO Viki Bell summed up the event’s spirit: “As my first PlantWorx, it exceeded every expectation. The passion and energy were extraordinary. The CEA stand alone served over 200 coffees, 250 packets of biscuits, and six cases of beer, proof that great conversations and connections fuel our industry.”
As PlantWorx 2025 closes, one thing is clear: the construction equipment industry is not just back, it’s thriving, evolving, and building towards a smarter, greener, and more connected future.
