Products
HeliTech helped participants expand their horizons
October 4, 2011 By Carey Fredericks
Oct. 4, 2011, Duxford, U.K. - Two hundred exhibiting companies made the most of last week’s glorious weather and visitor interest in Helitech 2011. This year’s visitor numbers matched the high levels of attendance from the previous event in 2009 with almost 4,000 visitors; total attendance reached more than 5,000.
A number of first time exhibitors experienced a particularly good show. Paint and accident repair specialist RH Bodyworks was one of them. After the company completed its first ever helicopter paint project for Bond Helicopters, it was suggested that Helitech would be an ideal launchpad for expanding into rotary wing work. RH Bodyworks’ traditional business covers paintwork for everything from the demanding world of Formula 1 trucks to buses. “Helicopters require the same materials and finish that are needed for F1 trucks,” said Mike Cerrino, the company’s Business Development Manager. “We are based on an airfield so helicopters can fly in but we also have 10 special paint booths that were built to handle trucks but easily accommodate helicopters. During Helitech we met several people who are now coming to see our dedicated facility.”
Another first time exhibitor, Cotswold Helicopter Centre, also praised the event. “It’s been a fantastic platform for launching a new type of aircraft. It’s given us access to a genuinely eclectic customer base including flight training organisations, potential private owners and also people looking to do a type rating. Interest in the aircraft has been overwhelming and a number of visitors to the show have indicated an interest in purchasing a machine,” said Andy Moorhouse, Flight Instructor Director at Cotswold Helicopter Centre. The company is the exclusive UK distributor of the new Guimbal Cabri G2 advanced light helicopter.
Civil Defence Supply, which was promoting its portable signal approach path indicator system, said it had received interest from representatives of the fire services during Helitech – a market the company had not yet considered for its product. The DRAGON FL3 fits into a small, easy to carry case and only takes a few minutes to set up. One benefit is that it can help police pilots when they are flying at night into an unlit area to judge their approach safely.
Helitech stalwarts such as AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Sikorsky, were also pleased with the way the show had gone. Lynn Leach, Senior Manager for Trade Shows & Customer Relations at Sikorsky, said: “Helitech 2011 proved to be a very successful show for us. We conducted numerous meetings with customers at our booth, which allowed us to maintain good relationships and communicate updates on our programmes and aftermarket services.”
Helitech Exhibition Manager, Brandon Ward, said: “The majority of our exhibitors value Helitech as a way of cementing existing customer relationships but this year many have also been impressed with the wide range of visitors attending – offering them both access to new customers but also inroads into different segments of the rotary wing market.”
The next Helitech takes place from 24 to 26 September 2013 at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. For more information visit www.helitechevents.com
