RWM 2016, the UK’s largest event for resource efficiency, showcased an array of recycling and waste management innovation to improve the way we manage the world’s assets and inspire a new generation of resource managers.
Organised in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, the show –which took place from 13th to 15th September at Birmingham's NEC – featured over 500 leading exhibitors, 149 expert speakers and hosted over 200 hours of free-to-attend CPD-accredited content across the three days.
Significant speakers
This year’s show featured an exceptionally strong seminar programme which focused on providing business critical insight into tackling current recycling and resource management issues. Highlights included a highly popular session on extended producer responsibility, Local Authority harmonisation, the future of green energy from waste, as well as leading speakers including food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart, who delivered a passionate and engaging session on the possible ways to reduce the enormous amount of food waste across the supermarket supply chain. Mary Creagh MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee joined Dr Alan Whitehead MP, co-chair of the APSRG, and Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party, to explore how Brexit will impact the future of resource, energy and environment policy in the UK.
There were many other key speakers across the Circular Economy Connect, Energy from Waste and Local Authority theatres. These included Marcus Gover, new chief executive at WRAP who made his inaugural speech at RWM; Lee Marshall, chief executive of LARAC; Mat Crocker, deputy director of illegals and waste at the Environment Agency; Jacob Hayler, executive director at the Environmental Services Association and Wayne Hubbard, chief operating officer of the London Waste and Recycling Board.
Key features in 2016
In the show’s Outside Ride and Drive area, visitors had the chance to test drive equipment to understand how machinery could benefit their businesses while gaining first-hand knowledge of the latest features from forward-thinking exhibitors including DAF Trucks, Liebherr-Great Britain Ltd, Mercedes Benz UK Ltd, Stock Sweepers and Terberg Matec (UK) to name a few.
There were also key trails to guide visitors through the exhibition halls which included: a winter maintenance trail, a new & innovation trail, and a British manufacturing trail all highlighting various exhibitors who are leading the industry in their field.
A business match-making platform, RWM Connects helped delegates to connect with customers and arrange on-site meetings to make the most of the extensive networking and business opportunities at RWM.
RWM – the place to launch products and do business
Exhibiting at RWM is ideal for raising brand awareness and visibility, and a number of big business deals were secured by exhibitors at the show. The floor plan is already over 60% full for 2017.
One of the exhibitors who chose the show to launch their new product was Andrew Farrant, Director at Hydro Force Enviro Tech Ltd, who said: “We can save local authorities money, can generate income and help waste management companies develop new income streams. We chose to exhibit at RWM due to the profile of the visitors. Primarily we're targeting waste management companies and local authorities, and this is the show they attend. We have a strong message for local authorities and we feel this is the best platform to launch that message.”
Allan Davies, CMO at AMCS Group added: “Our business is with all of the waste marketplace and RWM is the one event where all of the marketplace comes together. So, for us it's a great place to meet existing customers, prospective customers and all of the connections we have across the industry: suppliers, partners, resellers etc. This event is a great contact hub for us once a year when everyone is under one roof.”
Gary Escott, Director and Co-Owner at OnGrade Ltd, regularly attends the show and commented: “We’ve come to RWM this year largely because we’ve got new products to launch which we want to tell the market about. It has been very beneficial, there’s been a lot of interest in the products and we’ve got some high quality leads from the show that perhaps we wouldn’t have got if we weren’t here.”
One of the event’s returning exhibitors and industry leader, Terberg Matec Ltd, had a clear objective this year. Sheldon Hall, Marketing Manager at the company said: “For us, RWM is the headline exhibition for waste management in the UK. The event gives us a great stage for introducing new products to the UK market. More importantly for 2016 it has allowed us to demonstrate, for the first time in the UK, the new branding for Terberg Matec UK and Dennis Eagle as part of the Terberg Rosroca Group following the merger between Terberg Environment and Rosroca Environment earlier in 2016. We always have a strong show at RWM and this year was no exception with a fantastic flow of visitors throughout the three days, that has provided superb leads and orders for the next 12 months and beyond.”
RWM – leading the way with industry insight
Another reason for visitors to attend the exhibition is to obtain, firsthand, industry insight that could give their business a competitive edge. Once again, significant research reports were launched at this year’s RWM, including a report entitled A Resourceful Future – expanding the UK economy. This was commissioned by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK and written by Eunomia Research & Consulting, which focussed on unlocking and retaining value generated in the sector.
The key topic throughout the industry at the moment is Smart Cities, and at this year’s event, the latest Ricardo Energy & Environment report, The Future is Smart – the role of energy, renewables, water and waste in a Smart City, was presented. The report was commissioned by RWM and highlights some of the key opportunities, whilst examining future trends in the world where all could benefit from being a little bit smarter.
The show floor was thriving with commercial conversation as big brands in attendance sought solutions to their resource efficiency challenges. These included: F&F Tesco, Tata Steel, Heineken UK, Berkley Homes, ASDA, BNP Paribas, Maersk Line and numerous local authorities.
Nicola Meadows, Event Director said: “Our dynamic industry is constantly developing ideas and solutions to make the world greener, leaner and more resource efficient. This year’s show has helped propel remarkable innovation and best practice into mainstream consciousness.
“As the agenda widens across industry sectors, we hope to bring you the latest thinking and innovation available, with seminar programmes that continue to engage, debate and discuss the issues that matter most.”
RWM returns to the NEC next year from 12th to 14th September. It will again be co-located with The Energy Event, The Renewables Event and The Water Event.
To find out more information and discuss bookings for 2017 visit www.rwmexhibition.com, call +44 (0)203 033 2350or email info@rwmexhibition.com.