Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 Preview
First published in the February 2023 issue of Quarry Management as Bigger Than Ever
Regarded as North America’s largest construction equipment exhibition, Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 is set to become the biggest in the show’s history in terms of exhibition space and the number of anticipated exhibits on display
Taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) next month (14-18 March), Conexpo-Con/Agg is North America’s largest construction equipment trade show, with the 2023 edition set to be the biggest in its history.
According to the show’s organizers, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), this year’s triennial showcase event – which is slated to be 5% bigger than the 2020 exhibition – will feature 1,800 exhibitors and 150 education sessions during its five-day run.
With every square metre of exhibition floorspace – both indoors and outdoors – fully booked, Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 is a complete sell out and AEM say the pace of attendee registration at the end of 2022 was nearly double what it was at the same point in time for the previous show.
‘The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of new opportunities to show how we are taking the construction industry to the next level,’ said Conexpo show director Dana Wuesthoff. ‘Now at 2.8 million square feet of exhibits, there’s more for construction pros to see than ever before.’
Indeed, with demand stronger than ever at this year’s Conexpo-Con/Agg – not to mention the increased exhibition floorspace and expanded footprint – the event organizers say they are confident recent additions to LVCC will help make attendee navigation simple, efficient, and visitor-friendly. The convention centre, for example, now runs the Convention Center Loop – an underground tunnel transportation system (designed by Elon Musk’s Boring Co.) that can transport show attendees in Tesla cars across the venue in less than two minutes.
With environmental issues at the forefront of the construction equipment and heavy building materials industries, Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 is expected to have the biggest focus on sustainability since the show began in 1948. The combination of ambitious sustainability aspirations and the soaring cost of fuel is generating ever-increasing interest in electric and sustainable solutions.
‘The construction industry and Conexpo-Con/Agg are evolving in many ways to adapt and showcase sustainable technologies, products and practices supporting a more sustainable world,’ said Ms Wuesthoff. ‘More than ever, show attendees will see sustainability in action, from electric and hydrogen-powered construction equipment to more recyclable materials and waste-reduction opportunities, to changes we’re making to the show to better support sustainability.’
Emphasizing the importance of what face-to-face exhibitions can offer, and why the construction and aggregates industry continues to be a hands-on, in-person sector, AEM say there is simply no substitute for in-person trade shows and exhibitions when it comes to promoting new products and services, providing networking/collaboration opportunities, and meeting and attracting new customers.
‘This is the event that construction professionals – especially those making company-level decisions and those needing professional development hours – can’t miss,’ said Phil Kelliher, ConExpo show chair and Caterpillar senior vice-president.
‘Seeing the new equipment and techniques on a screen doesn’t compare to seeing it all in-person. At the show, you can see the equipment, ask questions of the manufacturers themselves, and really understand what the equipment and education can do for your career and business.’
Here, QM provides a snapshot of some of the new plant and machinery, technological innovations, and service solutions to be showcased at North America’s triennial showcase construction industry event.
Astec have announced that more than 30 products will be displayed at Conexpo-Con/Agg, including innovative machines and technologies for asphalt road construction, concrete production, materials processing, and the recycling of construction and demolition waste. Among the large exhibits on display will be the CON-E-CO LO-PRO ready-mixed concrete plant and RexCon Model S portable paving batch plant. Astec will also be presenting their latest developments in aggregates processing, including: the Kodiak and Titan cone crushers; the Pioneer jaw crusher (developed for high-capacity production); and the company’s unique portable high-frequency screening plant – the PTSC2818VM. Other key offerings at the show will include a large selection of asphalt pavers and cold-milling machines, ranging from the Roadtec RX-405 and RX-505 cold planers to the Carlson CP130 paver model.
CASE will be showcasing recently launched and upgraded machines from across their wide range of heavy and compact lines, including the updated G-Series Evolution wheel loaders and TV620B compact track loader (CTL), the largest and most powerful CTL that the equipment manufacturer has ever built. CASE will also be highlighting their OEM-Fit 2D and 3D machine control solutions for use on their D-Series excavator range. Designed by Leica Geosystems, the optional machinery feature is said to increase the productivity, accuracy and safety of excavators whilst providing operators an easy-to-use hardware and software platform.
At this year’s Conexpo-Con/Agg event, wet-processing equipment specialists CDE have announced that they will be joined by customers from across North America to help them champion the value of recycling construction, demolition, and excavation (CD&E) waste into high-specification outputs. Darren Eastwood, business development director at CDE, said: ‘Our focus at the show will be demonstrating to the industry how CDE washing solutions are turning dirt into dollars. We’re seeing rapid growth in the waste-recycling space and are awash with waste-recycling enquiries as a result. CDE are leading the charge in supporting the industry to realize value from construction, demolition, and excavation waste, as well as a by-product from the crushing and screening processes.’ Wash plant solutions and equipment on display will include: CDE’s AggMax scrubbing and attrition system; the company’s flagship EvoWash sand-classification and dewatering system; and a counter-flow classification unit (CFCU) for density separation.
Conn-Weld Industries, US specialists in screening equipment, are set to return to Conexpo with new additions to their product line, including a brand-new 6ft x 20ft triple-deck elliptical horizontal screen. With demonstrations throughout the day, show attendees will be able to learn more about its advantages, such as adjusting the angle of motion without shutting down. The Conn-Weld booth will also have interactive kiosks showcasing the OEM’s full product line of vibrating screens, feed systems, and parts serving the aggregates industry.
With digital and automation technologies playing an increasingly important role in helping businesses to grow and evolve, Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 is expected to provide the perfect platform for Develon (formerly Doosan) to update show attendees with their wide-ranging digital technologies, latest product developments, and aftermarket service offerings. The South Korean equipment manufacturer will be hosting three live demonstrations of its Concept-X autonomous worksite during each show day. First exhibited in 2019 with an autonomous Doosan wheel loader and excavator, Concept-X is a smart control solution developed to pave the way for worksites of the future with equipment-driven construction sites. It can survey worksite topography via 3D drone scanning, establish operational plans based on that data, and operate heavy construction equipment (eg excavators, wheel loaders, articulated dumptrucks etc) without human intervention. Visitors to the Develon booth will learn about these new technologies, including the company’s cutting-edge Smart X-Care fleet-management service and Concept-X XiteCloud topography scanning drone, while gaining a better understating of how digitalization and automation will transform the construction machinery sector for decades to come. Also on display will be a new battery-powered engine, an exclusive Transparent Bucket for Develon wheel loaders, and a new line-up of dozers. Latest products and innovations aside, Hyundai Doosan Infracore (HDI) will be using Conexpo to showcase the new ‘Develon’ brand name/identity to visitors, partners, and customers, both old and new.
Eagle Crusher will be demonstrating how they are pushing the boundaries of aggregates equipment design and technology, with the introduction of two brand-new machines at this year’s Conexpo-Con/Agg. The company will be showcasing its latest UltraMax 1600X-OC portable impact plant, designed for large-scale aggregates operations and quarries. With a feed opening of 1,753mm x 1,295mm, the UltraMax 1600X-OC offers higher-capacity processing and, thanks to a huge, solid-steel, three-bar sculptured rotor (weighing more than 13 tons), the mobile plant crushes even the largest feed material in a single pass. Another new product on display will be Eagle Crusher’s 8x20 screen plant with integrated feed conveyor and blending gates. The mobile screen has been designed for multiple product size solutions and a wide range of customer product mixes to meet individual application needs.
Raising the bar in the safe loading, unloading, and efficient transportation of construction machinery, Goldhofer will be presenting a selection of innovative heavy-duty transport solutions from their extensive product portfolio. Key exhibits on display will include the company’s STZ-VL4 lowboy trailer with flip axle and deck inserts, which has been designed for quick and easy front-end loading whilst handling high payloads. Recently introduced to the US market, Goldhofer will also be showcasing their new P12 Plus highway trailer which has been specially constructed for the transport of medium-weight and heavy-duty machinery. The trailer – which has the flexibility to be operated in either a 12-axle, nine-axle, or six-axle version – comes with a wide choice of accessories, including loading decks and turntables for transporting long and heavy loads using a steerable dolly.
New for Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 from Haver & Boecker Niagara will be their Pulse Condition Monitoring (Pulse CM) technology, along with other innovative mineral processing products and services. Pulse CM is designed to monitor the health of vibrating screens using modern algorithms and artificial intelligence. It provides accurate measurements and forecasts complemented by information that is easy to understand via Haver & Boecker Niagara’s web app. The monitoring system is a wireless diagnostics tool that helps mineral processing operations to be proactive – rather than reactive – when it comes to maintenance efforts, resulting in increased efficiency, decreased downtime and improved reliability. Through consistent use, the company says Pulse CM will accurately point out and predict critical issues, as well as advise when to schedule maintenance.
Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas (HCMA) will be celebrating new beginnings at this year’s Conexpo-Con/Agg, following the end of their joint venture with John Deere almost 12 months ago. To help build and strengthen the Hitachi brand in the North American market, HCMA will be introducing a host of new-generation excavators and wheel loaders that have been specially engineered to provide increased fuel efficiency and optimum performance at the lowest cost per tonne. Other highlights will be a number of machines from the company’s existing product range, including the HitachiZW100-6 wheel loader, the ZX210LC-6 HP excavator, and ZX85USB-5N mini-excavator. Visitors to the HCMA booth will also have an opportunity to give constructive feedback and input to help further enhance the core capabilities of Hitachi’s earthmoving machinery.
JCB are set to showcase their highly sustainable hydrogen combustion technology on the international stage for the first time ever at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023. Flying the flag for British engineering excellence, the OEM is said to be the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen and will be keen to exhibit other industry innovations as part of its ‘Road to Zero’. JCB are known to have one of the largest electric machinery line-ups available in the construction industry, including the development of the world’s first battery-electric mini-excavator, and meeting customers’ demands for zero-carbon products with their ETech range.
Komatsu will be exhibiting the latest technologies, equipment, and service solutions on their ‘Creating Value Together’ themed booth. A wide variety of earthmoving products will be showcased, including the Japanese equipment manufacturer’s latest electric and digitalization offerings, alongside brand-new and recently introduced machines. They will include the 20-tonne PC210E all-electric hydraulic excavator (with Smart Construction Retrofit), which will be introduced to the Japanese and European markets during 2023. Other machines to look out for on the Komatsu booth floor will be the PC900LC-11 excavator and HB365LC-3 hybrid model, as well as the PC360iLC-11 intelligent excavator, the D71PXi-24 intelligent dozer, and PC230F-11 processor. For loading and hauling, the company will be showing the WA600-8 wheel loader and HD465-8 haul truck.
Liebherr will be presenting their latest components and technologies, as well as over 30 machines from seven product segments, including earthmoving and materials handling, concrete technology, and mobile and crawler cranes. Covering more than 60,000ft2 of exhibition floorspace, Liebherr’s booth will feature the TA 230 articulated dumptruck, the R 945 crawler excavator, the L 546 wheel loader, and the PR 766 dozer, among many others.
Celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, Lippmann will be highlighting their vast expertise in the manufacture of crushing, screening, and materials handling systems for the aggregates, recycling, and mining sectors. Renowned for its heavy-duty jaw crushers, the US manufacturer also offers a full range of impactors, cone crushers, screeners, feeders, stackers, and other ancillary equipment for most materials processing applications. Taking centre stage on the Lippmann booth floor, and making its first public appearance, will be the brand-new 1300j-e electric track-mounted jaw crusher.
High-performance wire screen media manufacturers MAJOR will be showing FLEX-MAT Modular PLUS, which offers all the benefits of FLEX-MAT – high open area, efficient stratification, no blinding or pegging – combined with a new and improved wear life comparable with polyurethane screen media. Launched in June 2022, the advanced FLEX-MAT Modular PLUS screen media has been specially developed to perform in harsh screening conditions whilst handling the most abrasive materials, such as granite and basalt.
Martin Engineering, specialists in belt-cleaning and spillage control equipment, will be highlighting new products from their comprehensive line of belt cleaners, dust-control systems, transfer-point solutions, and many other innovations that improve bulk materials handling. Among the products on show will be the company’s intuitive N2 position indicator (PI) system, which tracks belt cleaner performance and tells users when servicing is required via an intuitive cloud-based mobile app or desktop dashboard. Also on display will be Martin Engineering’s latest air-cannon technology and manufactured canoe liners designed for robust belt sealing.
McCloskey International will be unveiling a new brand refresh and new-look colour scheme at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023. The company will also be showcasing its latest range of crushing and screening equipment, including the North American debut of the heavy-duty J4 jaw crusher and new I4C compact crusher. Other machines making an appearance at the show will be the dual-powered S190 screener, the ST100TVR stacker, and washing equipment such as the MR200E pump and 650 cyclone, which were developed in partnership with Metso Outotec’s pump and cyclone division.
At the time of writing, details of the McLanahan machinery line-up were being kept under wraps, but the company recently confirmed that it would be exhibiting at Conexpo with separate booths dedicated to three of its ‘family of companies’ brands – Anaconda, Eagle Iron Works (EIW), and RubbleCrusher. McLanahan will, therefore, have a strong presence at the show with a wide array of leading equipment solutions, improved products, and new application technologies on display.
Superior Industries Inc. will be showcasing no fewer than eight brand-new products, including the worldwide premieres of two new cone crusher models – the Dakota bearing cone and Endeavor spider-bushing cone. The company will also be giving show attendees an opportunity to see its Liberty jaw crusher, Valor vertical-shaft impactor (VSI), and portable Sentry horizontal-shaft impactor (HSI) closed-circuit plant designed specifically for recycling applications. Among the other novelties on show will be Superior’s three-deck Guardian horizontal wet screen fusion platform, plus Aggredry dewatering screen, and the company’s range of TeleStacker conveyors, including a 170ft x 42in XTP swing-axle model. Superior will also be presenting a wide variety of conveyor components, with more than three dozen individual idlers, pulleys, scrapers, and other conveyor accessories on display.
Volvo Construction Equipment will be providing a one-of-a-kind booth experience at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2023 to help customers and other attendees prepare for an ever-changing business environment. Under the theme ‘Change Starts Here. Be Ready For It’, the 55,000ft2 Volvo booth will feature the company’s newest/most popular products, cutting-edge services and technologies, and two operating arenas where show attendees can test drive electric excavators and wheel loaders. Volvo CE will be demonstrating their sustainability credentials alongside their long-standing commitment to decarbonization, with the introduction of the 23-tonne EC230 Electric mid-sized excavator and DD25 Electric compact double-drum asphalt compactor. Other key products on display will include the company’s next series of excavators and upgraded L350 wheel loader. The Swedish equipment manufacturer will also provide a glimpse into the future of the construction industry with a display of autonomous concepts, the ‘world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell articulated hauler’, a remote-controlled unit, and all-new customized services to help more customers reach their own efficiency and carbon-reduction goals.
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