Record numbers of utility and construction professionals converged on Louisville, Ky., for the 2019 International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Registered attendance topped 19,000, from the United States, Canada and more than 65 other countries worldwide.
"We shattered our attendance record," said John Rozum, ICUEE show director. "Our 70 registration kiosks were printing 25 badges per minute between 8 and 10 a.m., so we knew the temperature wasn't the only thing running hot that day and breaking records."
ICUEE 2019 included over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and solutions for the utility construction industry. Exhibitors covered a record 1.34 million sq. ft. or more than 30 acres. Exhibits included the show's signature hands-on equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations.
"By all measures, this was an outstanding ICUEE with more to see and experience than ever before, and it was gratifying to see such positive energy among attendees and exhibitors," said Rick Johnson, ICUEE 2019 show chair and CEO Emeritus of Charles Machine Works. "ICUEE is always such a tremendous opportunity to make lasting industry connections that help participants continue to grow and stay competitive."
ICUEE 2019 featured a new equipment demonstration area, new and expanded education programs, and new networking opportunities.
The show's new UTV Test Track featured utility terrain vehicle displays and test-drive courses for hands-on evaluation of machine capabilities.
"Team Altec enjoyed spending time with show attendees celebrating 90 years of innovation and customer satisfaction at ICUEE 2019," said Lee Styslinger III, CEO of Altec. "ICUEE always serves as a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with our customers."
ICUEE has been known as the place to be for innovative equipment in the industry, and 2019 is no exception.
"This is our first year at ICUEE, and this is the place to be if you are focused on the utility construction industry," said Amine Khimjee, vice president of sales and marketing at Fat Truck, a manufacturer of industrial off-road utility vehicles. "We have seven people working the booth and we have been busy throughout the show."
ICUEE also looked to attract the next generation of workers: A new Career Skills Event brought hundreds of high school students from throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana to the 2019 show to interact with exhibitors and learn about rewarding industry careers.
AEM, show owner and producer, partnered with Bridging America's Gap on the event, which included hands-on learning stations, talks with industry professionals and tours of the show floor.
New and expanded education offerings included more field classrooms on the show floor and new lunch-and-learn sessions. Desi Matel-Anderson, FEMA's first chief innovation officer, returned to ICUEE in 2019 to lead three Disaster Simulation Labs.
A new Emerging Technologies Pavilion joined expanded Safety and Fleet Management exhibit pavilions on the indoor show floor. These pavilions helped group specific types of exhibitors to make it even easier to spot what's new, making them a "can't miss" feature at ICUEE.
The ICUEE 2019 show badge included access to the show's first-ever ICUEE Live! at Fourth Street Live! Concert in downtown Louisville's Fourth Street Live! dining and entertainment complex, for a fun networking event that featured local music from The Crashers & Soul Circus. The closing Bourbon, Beer and Bites networking reception returned with complimentary tastings of the food and beverages of Louisville.
The next ICUEE will be held Sept. 28 to 30, 2021, returning to Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center.
ICUEE, officially known as the International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition, comes once every two years and is known as The Demo Expo for its equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations. It is the largest and leading event for utilities and utility and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends.
ICUEE owner and producer is Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the North American-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
For more information, visit icuee.com and aem.org. CEG
The International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), also known as the Demo Expo, featured more than 30 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Jeremy Harsin, global product manager-industrial for Cummins Inc., introduced show-goers to the new Cummins “Electric Test Vehicle” which is a joint collaboration between Hyundai and Cummins and will be unveiled at a later time as a Hyundai R35E electric-powered compact excavator.
Displaying their newest product offerings and new larger sized and more diverse configurations of Morooka utilities carriers, including a Morooka MST4500VDL carrier with a 40-ton crane, (L-R) are David Byrd, Jason Sage, Curt Unger, John Lide, Buck Seymour and Hide Takaya.
Lots of interest at the Tadano exhibit, which featured the new Mantis GTC-500 crane with auger on the second stage of the boom.
In the Manitowoc exhibit area, a Grove GHC30 was displayed and heavily promoted for its outstanding versatility, ease of transport and ease of operation.
There was a wide array of machines available for test operation, including this Kubota KX040-4 eco plus mini excavator in the Kubota demonstration area.
Exhibiting trucks and trailers in its exhibit space, Towmaster and its parent company, Monroe Truck Equipment, had plenty of key staffers to promote its product offerings including (L-R) Russ Woelke, Bob Pace, Dan Nommensen, Rick Clark and Hal Acree.
The Deutz display had a couple new engines being introduced including the first built Deutz TCD 2.2 L3 75 hp (@2600 rpm) engine. Showing its product offerings at ICUEE are (L-R) John Dutcher, Alec Hurley, Robert Mann, John Chowaniak, Steve Corley, Thomas Miller and Gavin Hale.
Toku America’s Willie Studway (L) and Dan Crow showcased the company’s recently introduced TNB-4M post pounder at the ICUEE show.
Jeremy Bailey of Doosan Portable Power was ready to discuss the company’s HP450/VHP400 air compressor with an all-new drive train
TORO and Charles Machine Works Inc. (Ditch Witch) kicked off ICUEE with a press conference providing an update on the merger of the two companies with key staff members including (L-R) Neil Borenstein, Peter Moeller, Dennis Wierzbicki, Rick Rodier and Shan Kirtley.
At the Ditch Witch outdoor equipment display and demo area, Larry Kindschi was on hand to discuss the company’s new compact and powerful JT24 horizontal directional drill.
Dan Cooper of Case Construction Equipment guides Andy Blokker of Avertex Utility Solutions, of Amaranth, Canada, through the controls on this Case 580 Super N backhoe.
(L-R): At the Ditch Witch outdoor equipment display and demo area, Ditch Witch Mid-States’ Sam Swartz, Dan Durkin and Matt DiIorio joined David Herrholtz of Ligonier Construction and Amy Herrholtz of Blacklick Equipment and Sales to review the latest equipment from Ditch Witch.
(L-R): Prinoth Ltd.’s Eric Steben, Scott Brown and Doug Little addressed attendees at the company’s press conference, discussing its range of tracked vehicles and land clearing equipment as well as the company’s custom engineering capabilities in meeting the unique requirements of its clients.
(L-R): Representatives from Palfinger Inc., Bill Boner, Jason Jankowski, Randy Fleck and Keith Giar were joined by representatives from Omaha Standard Palfinger, Anthony Gentile, Keith Ball, Jason Mayberry and David Phillips at the company’s outdoor equipment display.
Lube-a-Boom’s Jonathon and Jo Roberts were ready to discuss the company’s line of specialty lubricants for a variety of equipment and applications including telescoping boom cranes, aerial lifts, telehandlers and forklifts.
Evan Brown of Kato Compact Excavator Sales was on hand to discuss the company’s expanding lineup of excavators, tracked carriers, tracked loaders and skid steers.
(L-R): Emily Rentschler and Bob Candee were ready to discuss the latest addition to Fecon’s lineup of forestry mulchers, the all new Stage-5 compliant FTX200 mulching tractor.
J&J Truck Equipment’s Eric Knopsnyder (L) and Nate Weaver were pleased to announce that the company was recently named an authorized distributor of Palfinger PAL Pro Mechanic Trucks.
(L-R): Steve Thornbury, Hugh Gordon and Rob Barnett of C.W. Machine Worx spoke with attendees about the company’s line of dust suppression equipment.
Equipment Corporation of America’s Tom Wardell speaks with attendees about the company’s foundation and soil remediation equipment, including the ALLU Processor, an excavator attachment capable of penetrating and effectively mixing a variety of difficult materials.
During an ICUEE press event, Custom Truck One Source CEO Fred Ross discussed the company’s growth and how regionalized upfitting will deliver better equipment access while minimizing freight costs for its customers.
Jason Hardage (L) of GGB, based in Thorofare, N.J. discusses the latest equipment innovations from Bandit Industries with Scott Woods.
Dave Stewart (L) and Tim Miller, of SMI Compact, a division of Screen Machine Industries, discuss the company’s line of compact crusher and screeners sized to address a wide variety of jobsite applications.
Terramac’s Chris Keys (L) and Andy Banas were ready to discuss the company’s RT6U crawler carrier, here equipped with a Terex Commander 4047 digger derrick.
With two outdoor exhibit spaces as well as a variety of equipment on display in manufacturer’s booths, Custom Truck One Source maintained a high profile at the show.
TT Technologies displayed its full line of trenchless Grundomat piercing tools, Grundoram pipe ramming tools and Grundoburst and Grundocrack pipe bursting tools at ICUEE 2019.
Greg Worley, product specialist of Caterpillar, shows off the new 6-ton class Cat 306 CR Next Generation mini-hydraulic excavator.
The VMAC Multifunction Power System, powered by a Cat industrial diesel Tier 4F engine, includes six power sources in one compact, quiet system. With noise reduction panels, low and high idle controls and standby mode, operators can safely communicate while working without disturbing the job site or the neighbors.
(L-R) are Lonny G. Emerson, co-owner of EZ SPOT UR Attachments with Roger Crom and Garry Christopherson.
A big unveiling event during ICUEE 2019 as Vermeer Corporation’s Lee Schroeder officially introduced the crowd to the new Vermeer XR2 vacuum excavator.
Thunder Creek Equipment’s MTT690 multi-tank trailer allows for legally transporting diesel fuel without a HAZMAT. A rear utility box adds 3 ft. to the length and 650 lbs. to the empty weight.
From Fat Truck, this incredible ATV can take your entire crew and gear to otherwise impossible-to-reach locations.
From Manitex, this TC60131 crane is one of hundreds of cranes available for up-close inspection.
What can be better than going to a trade show and operating equipment? Entire theme parks are built around the idea. Case brought in a big cross-section of its fleet for attendees to take for a spin.
Michael Watt of LiuGong touts the benefits of the new LiuGong 9018F compact excavator that is powered by a Yanmar engine.
Since 1894 Chicago Pneumatic has been providing air-powered tools to the construction and mining trades.
John Deere put crawlers to work demonstrating their pushing powers as well as their state-of-the-art guidance systems.
Tiltrotators can be a particularly versatile, cost-saving tool for utility contractors. Rototilt was the very first company to bring this technology to the United States’ market and the company is well-versed in the needs of contractors.
The Bobcat E35 is ideally sized for working in tight urban areas.
This National Crane boom truck with 152 ft. of boom and 205 ft. of Jib was provided by the northeast’s own Stephenson Equipment.
Trench Plate Rental Company had a great product display and a host of representatives with decades of experience to discuss the latest company news and product innovations including (L-R) Gary Hooks, Grant Lamberson, Jeff Vojko, Keith Lamberson and Wayne Agamie.
Chip Durren (L) and Pat Jennissen of Felling Trailer announce a new available option from Dexter Axel called Dexter Tow Assist. This option adds ABS break functionality to the trailer, for a much safer load and tremendous saving on tire wear. It also provides sway mitigation so that uneven loads can be safely hauled with the ability to break properly when need be.
OilQuick’s automatic quick coupling system for excavators allows the operator to switch attachments in a matter of seconds.
Not only is asphalt recycling continuing to be the wave of the future, it’s extremely profitable and the people at Bagela are absolutely the leaders in the field. (L-R) are Greg Harla, Chris Spinella and Stewart Kovalick.
Elliott Equipment Company President & CEO, Jim Glazer, addresses a press conference at the ICUEE show, announcing the company’s latest equipment innovations.
FAE USA had both an indoor and outdoor exhibit to accommodate various product displays. Some of the outdoor exhibit guys included (L-R) Allen Tennis, Lee Smith, Giorgio Carrera, Chad Florian and Jim Thompson.
The Ring Power Utility Equipment outdoor display was staffed by about a dozen representatives showcasing equipment such as Vac-Con excavators, Vac-Con Mudslingers, Terex TC55 bucket trucks and various other products on display in both the Terex Corporation and Brooks Brothers Trailers exhibits.
Sunward USA, a first-time ICUEE exhibitor, had a good-looking display and was introducing its new Sunward SWTH 634 telehandler. At the booth are (L-R): Michael Hong of Taycor Financial, El Segunda, Calif.; Mike Madraid of Sunward USA, Denton, Texas; Vu Nguyen, also of Taycor Financial; Dameron Silcox and Mike Flowers of Sunward USA.
Scott Powerline and Utility Equipment had machines scattered around the show, including this slick looking combo of a Volvo ECR145EL crawler with a Bay Shore Systems drill unit
The new Hyundai HX140 LC was introduced at ICUEE and this particular unit was equipped with an Engcon quick coupler tiltrotator attachment. (L-R) are Engcon North America’s Per-Oskar; Steve Alig, Pioneer Telephone, Kingfisher, Okla.; and Chad Parker, Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Norcross, Ga.
Registration was a “well-oiled machine” early morning on day-one as attendees flocked to attend the first educational sessions and opening day of the show floor.
