Exhibition floor space at Multimodal 2012, the only gathering for all sectors of the UK and Irish logistics industry and its customers, is fast approaching sell-out.

Clarion Events, the organisers of Multimodal 2012 feel the encouraging response from the logistics industry reflects the fact that the event has become an enduring highlight in the supply chain calendar.

The event, now in its fifth consecutive year and to be held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, from May 1-3, Multimodal 2012 promises the strongest showing yet and will host a wide spectrum of companies, including third party logistics providers (3PLs), ports, deep-sea and short-sea shipping lines, freight forwarders, international hauliers, rail service providers, terminal operators and equipment and technology suppliers. A host of industry leading companies have confirmed their presence again this year, including GB Railfreight, SDV, Associated British Ports, Dachser, Pall-Ex, Transfennica, DB Schenker, Forth Ports and DSV, to name but a few.

Moreover, a host of first-time exhibitors have recognised that Multimodal is the venue at which buyers review innovative logistics solutions and where they are encouraged to take those first steps towards doing business with new partners.

Among new exhibitor names this year can be counted global top ocean container carrier Maersk Line, which operates over 500 modern containerships. The liner shipping sector‘s presence is further strengthened with signing of Hapag Lloyd, operator of 135 ships on 80 line services.

A raft of forwarding and freight and logistics management companies are joining the line-up, from family-owned European road and world air and sea freight forwarder UFS, to the US1.6 billion turnover BDP International.  The company specialises in the vertical markets of chemicals, healthcare retail and consumer and has 4,000 customers worldwide with offices/partnerships in 120 countries.



Winner of IFW’s recent Heavy Lift/Project Forwarder Award, Allseas Global Logistics, is to take advantage of Multimodal as a platform for its project and out-of-gauge specialist services. Simmonds Transport, which has grown from beginnings as a small transport company to a provider of fully integrated and tailored logistics services, including IT, warehousing, distribution and supply chain consultancy, has also opted to join the Multimodal exhibitor ranks.

GB Railfreight’s sister company within the Eurotunnel Group, Europorte, is another new name for Multimodal 2012, as it speeds towards securing its position as the first licensed rail service developer throughout the EU. The rail freight sector will also see Colas Rail and VTG as new exhibitors this year.

Among providers of essential hardware to the logistics industry, Dennison, which has been designing and manufacturing tipper, skeletal, curtain-sided, platform, drawbar and many more trailer units for four decades, joins the exhibitor list.

“Today’s astute logistics operators are aware that in the current tough business climate they need to maximise their market profile, and Multimodal 2012 is the ideal forum in which to achieve that goal,” said Event Director Robert Jervis. “To be in this healthy position with bookings, with still more than three months to go, is extremely gratifying and stems from the fact that exhibitors have confidence in the knowledge that they really are interfacing with the people that make logistics services buying decisions,” he added.

Of more than 4,000 visitors to Multimodal in 2011, 88% were shippers or freight forwarders and 98% held a position at senior management level or higher.

As in previous years, Multimodal’s exhibition will be complemented by a series of thought-provoking seminars and discussion forums, designated meeting areas and business facilities will be provided and there is programme of related events and networking opportunities planned.

To register and find out more about Multimodal 2012 please visit www.multimodal.org.uk



About Multimodal:

Taking place from 1st to 3rd May 2012 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Multimodal aims to attract a large group of exhibitors and visitors from across the whole spectrum of freight transport, logistics and supply chain service providers than it ever has before.

Multimodal 2012 is the only UK event that brings together all sectors of freight transport under a single roof.  The Seminars and Briefings which are an integral part of the event, have scheduled an enlightening and thought-provoking range of topics, tackled in an interactive fashion by panels of experts or as briefings presented by representatives from centres of excellence. Topics range from insight into the media, customs, container shipping trends, container swaps, security, reducing empty loads and ports’ role in adding value, to e-sourcing, collaborative logistics, supply chain optimisation, key performance indices (KPIs) and logistics data analytics.

For further information about Multimodal 2012, please contact:

Robert Jervis, Event Director,
Clarion Events Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 207 370 8373
E-mail: robert.jervis@clarionevents.com
www.multimodal.org.uk

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