Executive Hire Show 2026 Sets the Agenda for Smarter Hire
The UK and Ireland plant and tool hire sector doesn’t do hype for long. If a product doesn’t earn its keep in the yard, survive the realities of transport, or stand up to rental abuse, it won’t last. That’s exactly why the Executive Hire Show 2026 matters. With the event sold out well ahead of doors opening and 148 exhibitors confirmed for 11–12 February at the Coventry Building Society Arena, the show is shaping up as a straight-talking snapshot of what hire businesses are actually buying, maintaining, financing and supporting as sites tighten requirements and margins remain under pressure.
Now in its 19th year, the Executive Hire Show has grown into one of the sector’s most reliable signals of market direction. It’s not a conceptual technology showcase. It’s a working exhibition built around practical kit and systems, where conversations are as likely to be about service intervals and parts availability as they are about low emissions and digital platforms. That blend of day-to-day realities and long-term change is the story of hire in 2026, and it runs right through the show floor.
What stands out this year is the way product development is meeting a shifting set of customer expectations. Contractors and local authorities are driving tougher safety standards, site access restrictions, environmental compliance, and in many cases, explicit requirements for quieter and cleaner equipment. Hire fleets sit right in the middle of that change, expected to supply compliant machines quickly, keep them working, and do it without turning maintenance costs into a slow bleed. The Executive Hire Show 2026 reflects that pressure, with an exhibitor line-up spanning access, compact plant, lighting, power, parts, welfare, handling equipment, surface preparation and software.
A Sold-Out Floor Reflects a Hire Market That Still Wants to Invest
The headline figure of 148 exhibitors tells its own story. While construction demand fluctuates by sector and region, hire remains a core engine of equipment availability, particularly for contractors managing variable workloads and increasingly complex project requirements. A sold-out event suggests that manufacturers and suppliers still see the hire channel as commercially vital, not just for sales but for ongoing fleet replacement cycles, aftersales support, and the introduction of new product categories.
Just as important is what that exhibitor count represents in practical terms. Hire businesses are balancing reliability against innovation. They need machines that can cope with repeated handovers, inconsistent operator experience and varied site conditions, while also aligning with evolving emissions compliance and safety expectations. The Executive Hire Show has become a place where that balancing act is visible in physical form, from compact equipment and access solutions to power and welfare systems designed around reduced fuel use and simplified operation.
This year’s mix also signals a more diversified supplier ecosystem. The show brings together established brands and a notable number of first-time exhibitors, offering hire companies both trusted reference points and fresh alternatives. For fleet managers and procurement teams, the value of the show is often in those comparisons: not just which machine performs best in ideal conditions, but which supplier is likely to deliver parts quickly, provide support without fuss, and offer realistic ownership costs over the life of the asset.
First-Time Exhibitors Bring Fresh Options Across Core Hire Categories
A notable feature of the 2026 edition is the presence of 25 first-time exhibitors. That matters because it points to opportunity in a market that remains competitive but far from stagnant. New entrants don’t succeed in hire by simply launching something different. They succeed by removing pain, reducing downtime, improving usability, or offering a commercial advantage that fleet operators can actually bank on.
The first-time exhibitor list spans access, materials handling, power, welfare, software and specialist equipment, indicating where innovation is most active. Access remains a particularly dynamic category, with new solutions focused on making low-level access quicker, safer and simpler. In the same breath, site logistics and welfare equipment are evolving to meet higher expectations around environmental compliance and operator wellbeing, which have moved from “nice-to-have” to baseline requirements on many projects.
This influx of new exhibitors also reflects a broader trend in the hire sector: increasing specialisation. Fleets are no longer built solely around generic plant and power. Hire companies are being asked for specific solutions for indoor work, low-noise night shifts, emissions-controlled urban areas, and projects where operational disruption must be kept to a minimum. That’s where niche equipment and smarter support services start to make a serious difference.
Access Equipment Evolves With Simplicity, Uptime and Fleet Compatibility in Mind
Access remains one of the strongest pillars of the Executive Hire Show 2026, and it’s easy to see why. Access equipment in the hire market must deliver immediate readiness, intuitive operation and consistent reliability. A breakdown doesn’t just stall a project. It triggers re-delivery costs, emergency repairs, customer frustration and reputational damage. That’s why the show’s access line-up leans heavily into practicality.
Euro Towers returns with its aluminium tower, podium and low-level access ranges, supported by show-only deals aimed at hire businesses looking to expand or refresh core access inventory. For many fleets, aluminium access equipment remains a dependable workhorse category. The commercial logic is straightforward: steady utilisation, broad application range and manageable servicing requirements.
Alongside the established names, new solutions are arriving with a clear focus on reducing complexity. Navigator Lifts Ltd, a first-time exhibitor, is introducing self-powered manual access platforms designed to provide low-level access without relying on batteries or hydraulics. The range is positioned for environments where mechanical simplicity, uptime and ease of use are essential. Demonstrations will include the Navigator 6.0 push-around scissor lift, along with the Ranger and Scout mast lifts.
This is the sort of approach that resonates in the hire market. By stripping away the most failure-prone systems, suppliers are addressing a persistent issue for hire fleets: the gap between product specification and real-world rental conditions. Equipment that doesn’t depend on charging, doesn’t require complex maintenance, and doesn’t leave operators guessing can often outperform more advanced systems when it comes to daily fleet efficiency.
LGMG Machinery UK Ltd is also debuting at the show, bringing a broader access portfolio that includes electric, hybrid and diesel options, alongside telehandlers and a new low-level access range targeted at high-turnover hire fleets. The expansion of electric and hybrid access equipment reflects the growing demand for cleaner solutions without compromising on duty cycles, particularly in urban environments and indoor applications where emissions restrictions are tighter.
Aluminium access remains prominent as UTS Sales & Repair Ltd highlights its UK-manufactured tower systems. UTS is also placing emphasis on compatibility under the PASMA Compatibility Protocol and its repair and refurbishment services designed to extend fleet life and protect asset value. For hire operators, refurbishment and compatibility are not minor details. They’re cost-control mechanisms, allowing mixed fleets to remain usable and compliant without constant replacement.
Compaction and Compact Plant Focus on Hire-Friendly Performance and Serviceability
Compaction equipment may not get the same attention as access or excavators, but it’s a dependable category for hire fleets supporting urban works, utilities and landscaping. Hamm will exhibit its HD 10–HD 12 G-Tier compact tandem rollers, with the HD 12 G VV being shown in the UK for the first time. Compact dimensions, straightforward operation and hire-friendly servicing are central to the proposition, which aligns with how these machines are actually used in the field.
There’s a growing emphasis in the hire sector on equipment that reduces operator friction. If a machine requires complex setup or frequent corrective maintenance, it becomes less attractive, even if it performs well in ideal conditions. Compact rollers that are easy to operate and easy to service remain valuable because they fit into high utilisation patterns without creating logistical headaches for fleet teams.
Compact plant and air power are also key themes. Doosan Bobcat UK Ltd will showcase a focused selection of equipment, with particular attention given to the Stage V PA12.7V portable compressor. Designed with variable pressure and flow control, the unit aims to cover a wider range of applications with a single machine, supported by a compact footprint, improved fuel efficiency and enhanced service accessibility. Bobcat will also highlight electric and low-emission machines across its broader portfolio, reflecting the gradual but steady shift toward lower-impact equipment options in the rental channel.
For hire businesses, compressors remain a commercially meaningful category because they feed into so many tasks: breaking, drilling, cleaning, utilities work and site services. A machine that can flex across applications without requiring multiple specialised units can help fleets improve utilisation rates and simplify stock planning.
Surface Preparation Moves Toward Battery Power and Cleaner On-Site Operation
Surface preparation is a category where technology shifts can have immediate operational impact, particularly in indoor work, refurb projects and urban environments where dust control, noise and emissions have become defining constraints. At the Executive Hire Show 2026, Trelawny SPT Ltd is bringing its VoltMax battery-powered range to the hire sector for the first time.
Built around advanced 82V lithium-ion technology, the range is designed to deliver consistent high-torque performance without emissions, low vibration, or the need for transformers. That’s a meaningful combination for hire customers looking to avoid the friction of power management on constrained sites. It’s also a strong example of how electrification is spreading beyond vehicles and loaders into task-specific equipment that can directly improve site conditions.
For hire fleets, the value of battery-powered surface preparation tools is not simply environmental compliance. It’s about practicality: fewer trip hazards, quieter operation, reduced need for specialised power supplies, and easier deployment in mixed-use buildings or occupied environments. Those benefits can turn a niche rental category into a higher frequency service offering.
Excavators and Electric Telehandlers Reflect Demand for Cleaner Urban Capability
Excavators remain a cornerstone of any hire fleet, and the mini excavator category continues to be a dependable performer across civil works, utilities, landscaping and smaller construction projects. SANY UK returns for its fifth consecutive year at the show with a selection of hire-focused machines, including the SY10U, SY20C and SY26C mini excavators. Compact dimensions, reduced tail swing and strong digging performance remain key selling points, particularly as more work shifts into confined urban sites and infrastructure maintenance projects.
The show also highlights a trend that is no longer speculative: electric lifting and handling equipment is beginning to stake a credible claim in mainstream hire. SANY will present the STH625e electric telehandler, designed for zero-emission, low-noise operation in indoor and urban environments, supported by a five-year warranty.
Electric telehandlers represent a meaningful shift because they sit in a category traditionally dominated by diesel power and heavy duty cycles. If electric variants prove capable in real-world rental use, they open up new possibilities for hire fleets serving low-emission zones, indoor logistics and sensitive sites where noise control is a contractual requirement, not a preference.
Lighting and Temporary Power Take Centre Stage as Site Expectations Change
Lighting and temporary power emerge as two of the strongest themes of the Executive Hire Show 2026, reflecting how site infrastructure is changing alongside equipment fleets. Contractors increasingly expect lighting systems to deliver safe working conditions with minimal setup time, while power solutions must meet stricter emissions standards and, in many cases, adapt to quieter operating environments.
Airstar will showcase its Sirocco balloon lighting range, designed to eliminate glare and harsh shadows through 360-degree diffused output. Fast setup times, compatibility with small generators and battery-powered options make the range particularly relevant to hire fleets that need equipment to deploy quickly and perform consistently across varied sites.
HIMOINSA will present the HCOMPACT+ mobile lighting tower, combining LED technology, a Stage V Yanmar engine and advanced control systems aimed at demanding site conditions with low fuel consumption and extended service intervals. For hire operators, service intervals matter. A lighting tower is only profitable when it’s out earning revenue, not waiting for maintenance.
Battery-powered lighting continues to develop as a practical alternative for restricted-access locations and urban works. Power-2-Go will offer silent, fume-free lighting towers, aimed at sites where noise and exhaust emissions create operational and compliance challenges. This kind of equipment has shifted from being an occasional specialist request to becoming part of a broader move toward low-impact site logistics.
The wider generator category remains prominent. AJ Power and AKSA Power Generation UK will present Stage V-compliant generator solutions for standby and prime power, while Hatz will demonstrate engine, diagnostics and hybrid power solutions. These offerings underline that diesel power remains central to many projects, but the market is clearly demanding cleaner and more efficient configurations.
One of the standout debuts comes from Liebherr Great Britain Ltd, introducing the Liduro Power Port LPO 100 mobile energy storage system. Positioned as a zero-emission alternative or complement to diesel generators, mobile energy storage is increasingly relevant as contractors seek to reduce idling engines, cut fuel consumption and support hybrid site setups where renewables and stored energy can play a larger role.
GenZero, a brand by NightSearcher, will present portable power stations designed as a clean, quiet alternative to petrol and diesel generators. Fuel-free, low-noise systems have a growing role in industrial, commercial and remote applications, particularly where simplicity and reliability matter more than peak output alone. With scalable options suited to temporary sites and emergency use, portable power solutions are finding a foothold in hire as customers look for flexible alternatives to traditional generator deployments.
Parts, Transport and Handling Support the Real Business of Keeping Fleets Moving
If electrification and digital platforms are shaping the industry’s future, parts and handling support remain the realities that define profitability in the present. Hire businesses can tolerate many things, but extended downtime isn’t one of them. The 2026 show reflects this with a strong emphasis on parts supply, logistics, and equipment designed to simplify daily operations.
First-time exhibitor MAXA Group, formed from the merger of ATE UK and Trailparts, is bringing a consolidated parts and support offering. The objective is clear: reduce downtime through simplified ordering, strong stockholding and rapid response. In hire, speed wins. The quicker a fleet can return a machine to service, the more resilient it becomes against margin squeeze.
Towmate will showcase a new Plant Trailer with design updates focused on durability and ease of use, alongside its latest Rolling Chassis Trailer, described as a fully VCA Type-approved base for custom builds. Transport equipment can be an overlooked element of the hire ecosystem, but it’s fundamental. A robust trailer solution helps prevent damage, reduces loading risk and improves turnaround efficiency across deliveries and collections.
Towmate will also demonstrate the LaySAFE system live, showing how it supports safer and more efficient pipe-laying on site. Safety-led site systems are increasingly part of hire provision, not because hire companies want to expand into consultancy, but because customers want integrated solutions that reduce risk and improve productivity.
Materials handling is represented by SHS Handling Solutions, showcasing pallet trucks and stackers supported by servicing, inspections and operator training. That pairing of product and support matters in hire, where compliance and operational readiness can be just as important as the equipment itself.
Armorgard will highlight secure storage, sheet handling and lithium-ion battery charging systems designed to support safe battery management on site. As battery-powered equipment becomes more common, charging infrastructure and safe storage solutions become essential. Hire fleets supplying electric tools and machines are increasingly expected to provide the supporting ecosystem, not just the headline equipment.
Site identification and compliance remain a practical necessity. Sov Print Ltd will present its SUPATUFF tag and label range alongside the SUPASCAFF inspection tags intended to simplify scaffold compliance. These products may not be glamorous, but they address daily site requirements that can cause costly delays when overlooked.
Tufftruk Ltd will exhibit its TRUXTA range of battery-powered mini dumpers and power barrows, including the EB800PTP articulated stand-on dumper with an 800kg payload and regenerative braking. Compact site transport equipment is seeing growing demand where manoeuvrability and low emissions are essential, especially in tight or sensitive environments.
Tools and Specialist Equipment Continue to Anchor the Show’s Rental DNA
Despite advances in electrification and software, the hire sector still relies heavily on tools, consumables and specialist equipment that keep sites productive. That’s reflected in the return of core suppliers like TIMCO and Toolpak, both of which continue to support the distribution networks that feed the hire ecosystem.
RUBI UK will demonstrate professional cutting equipment aimed at hire and trade use. Cutting and preparation tools remain steady earners for hire businesses, particularly when they offer durability, predictable performance and simple maintenance.
Woodchippers also maintain a strong presence. Först will showcase the Cadet range alongside established hire favourites, while TH White Machinery Imports will exhibit Ohashi tracked woodchippers, including the diesel ES160DH. The hire market for chippers remains tied to landscaping, local authority works and site clearance, and demand tends to remain resilient even when wider construction cycles fluctuate.
Husqvarna Construction returns with a focus on improving safety, reducing dust and lowering site impact. Highlights include a new generation of intelligent, mobile air cleaners aimed at improving air quality, along with the latest power cutters and diamond tools featuring lower emissions. Battery-powered demonstrations will include the 94V PACE platform and Husqvarna’s 36V battery range for lighter applications. Dust control and air quality are increasingly central to site safety expectations, and hire businesses supplying practical mitigation equipment stand to strengthen customer relationships while supporting compliance.
Concrete and site support equipment also features, with RollyCarri introducing polyethylene drum mixers designed to reduce noise, rust and maintenance. It’s a reminder that incremental improvements to familiar equipment can still deliver meaningful value for hire fleets, particularly in categories where maintenance costs and longevity make the difference between profit and frustration.
Welfare, Environmental Compliance and Site Standards Keep Rising
Modern sites are under growing scrutiny, and welfare provision is no longer treated as an afterthought. The Executive Hire Show 2026 includes a strong selection of welfare and environmental management solutions designed to reduce impact while meeting evolving expectations.
CabinTec and Groundhog will both present welfare solutions focused on reducing environmental impact. Groundhog will showcase its sustainable welfare range across single- and twin-axle units, alongside a brand-new product launch at the show. CabinTec will showcase its SaniSpace Solar range of toilets and showers and introduce the SentrySpace Solar range of site security cabins.
These offerings align with a broader shift in site requirements. Contractors increasingly expect welfare units to offer lower running costs, reduced fuel use, and better user experience. For hire companies, welfare has become a category where differentiation is possible, not only through product choice but through service reliability and rapid deployment.
Environmental compliance continues to tighten, particularly around washout management, spill prevention and water treatment. Kelly Tanks Ltd will make its Executive Hire Show debut with concrete washout and water treatment systems designed to support straightforward compliance. Fentex will showcase spill solutions including the EVO recycled range and SpillTrapper system, reflecting ongoing demand for practical containment products that help contractors meet environmental obligations without excessive administrative burden.
Digital Platforms and Skills Show How Hire Operations Are Being Rebuilt
Alongside machines and equipment, the Executive Hire Show continues to reflect how hire businesses are modernising operations. In a sector where administrative friction can quietly erode profitability, software platforms and workflow tools are becoming more important, not less.
MCS Rental Software will return with rental management and mobile solutions, while DocuWare, represented by DocTech, will demonstrate digital document workflows aimed at replacing paper-based processes. For hire businesses dealing with contracts, inspections, service records and asset tracking, digital workflows aren’t about fashion. They’re about control, speed and reducing avoidable mistakes.
Online visibility and marketplace models are also represented. Vooba will offer practical guidance on improving enquiry quality and digital presence, while SharePlant Rentals introduces a marketplace approach designed to improve utilisation and reduce transport miles. Whether marketplace models become a central pillar of the hire economy remains to be seen, but they reflect growing interest in making asset use more efficient and cutting unnecessary logistics.
Skills development will be highlighted on the CPA stand, where a plant simulator supplied by Tenstar Simulation will offer visitors hands-on insight into operator training and early engagement. With labour availability and competency remaining critical issues across the construction and plant sectors, training technology is becoming part of the wider industry toolkit, and hire companies have an increasing role to play in supporting safe, skilled equipment use.
A Show Built Around What Hire Businesses Need Right Now
The Executive Hire Show 2026 is not trying to predict the future in sweeping gestures. It is showing, in real terms, how the hire sector is adapting to site demands that keep getting tighter. The products on display speak to a market that wants lower emissions, better safety outcomes, quieter operation and smarter logistics, but not at the expense of uptime, serviceability and cost control.
Alongside the exhibitor categories previewed in detail, the show will include a strong base of established brands such as Kubota, JCB, Hilti, Altrad Belle, Close Brothers Asset Finance and National Tool Hire. That mix of manufacturers, equipment suppliers, finance providers and hire operators reflects how interconnected the sector has become, with asset investment, customer service and operational resilience all feeding into one commercial equation.
Chris Moore, Publishing and Event Director at the Executive Hire Show, said: “The strength of the event lies in its practical relevance, giving visitors the chance to see working equipment, speak directly with suppliers and explore solutions that can be applied immediately within their businesses.”
With the show taking place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 11th and 12th February, hire professionals heading to Coventry will find an event shaped less by buzzwords and more by the equipment, systems and services that can make a real difference in the yard on Monday morning.
