NEWS
Remarkable debut for transport industry pioneering platform
Seeing HVO in action
Redruth-based Mitchell and Webber , the first company in the UK to put HVO fuel to the test during the successful trials started last November , has supplied the renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil to heat a primary school in Gwinear .
Mitchell and Webber director John Weedon commented : “ We all appreciate the need to help the environment as a priority and these trials are to ensure the fuel will work well when converting existing set-ups .
“ We are pleased that only a low-cost conversion is needed in many cases and so far tests are extremely promising with all boilers performing well .”
Gwinear Community Primary School is the first in the country to use the renewable liquid fuel . Head teacher , Lee Gardiner , said : “ Since our school is such a historic building it is extremely difficult to insulate using more modern techniques . Installing a completely new system would likely be disruptive to daily school life and could possibly damage such an important structure .
“ So when I saw the success of Mitchell and Webber ’ s HVO conversions in other settings across Cornwall , I knew I had found the perfect option for Gwinear .”
Local MP and Secretary of State for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , George Eustice , said on visiting the school : “ It could be a very important stepping stone on the way to net zero in rural areas like this .
“ There are a lot of people still reliant on old oil-fired boilers and this is a more environmentally-friendly fuel .
“ They ’ re getting good results on boilers large and small .”
We will hear more from Mitchell and Webber , regarding developments in HVO trials , in our September issue .
The inaugural Innovation and Technology in Transport ( ITT Hub ) event – the largest show of its kind in 40 years – debuted successfully on 30 June and 1 July 2021 to spearhead the future of transport and revolutionise the commercial vehicle market as the industry transitions to net zero emissions and strives to reach maximum efficiency .
Held at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre , which has led the way in the UK ’ s safe return of face-to-face events of this size , the exhibition was attended by 4,000 industry professionals working within the transport industry , including engineers , managing directors , government and major influencers .
Over 150 exhibitors attended , showcasing a range of high-tech products and services , while a Government Hub was attended by several government departments and agencies . The outside Ride & Drive experiences on offer proved a popular attraction with visitors .
British Astronaut Major Tim Peake CMG , one of 30 speakers at Logistics UK ’ s Future Logistics Conference which ran alongside the exhibition , stressed the importance of prioritising the decarbonisation of transport to protect the future health of our planet .
Mark Griffin , CEO at ITT Hub , said : “ What a brilliant inauguration for ITT Hub . We were thrilled to welcome thousands of visitors , exhibitors and speakers to the event to explore the future of transport and tackle the challenges we face together as an industry . We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from the show and , after just one event , ITT Hub has already been established as a vital platform for anyone working in transport . As part of our growth strategy , we are curating a portfolio of recycling and waste management , cold chain storage and distribution , plus even more of the energy and charging technology infrastructure experts
Major Tim Peake CMG and Mark Griffin CEO Binswood Media open the inaugural ITT Hub 2021
David Wells , chief executive at Logistics UK , presenting at the Future Logistics Conference
for next year ’ s event . These additions to our exhibition and programme are the next logical step in the development of the all year round ITT Hub activity and I can ’ t wait to show the industry what we are going to do next .”
Gareth Rogers , CEO of Farnborough International , added : “ This was a remarkable debut for ITT Hub and we are thrilled we could partner with the team at Binswood Media to deliver an event of such resounding success . ITT Hub is a pioneering platform for the transport industry , which will see the launch of revolutionary innovations , landmark government announcements and invaluable relationship building amongst industry leaders . The future of the event is bright and , as the new owners of ITT Hub , we are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Mark Griffin and utilising our exceptional expertise and resources to grow ITT Hub into the leading event and news channel in the sector .”
Taking place alongside the exhibition was the Future Logistics Conference and Kevin Green , marketing & communications director at Logistics UK , comments : “ The Future Logistics Conference was an incredible success , with an unrivalled line up of speakers – including senior representatives from National Grid , Highways England , Zemo Partnership , Renault Trucks UK & Ireland , and , of course , Major Tim Peake – who all shared their unique insights and expertise to help industry and government on the road to net zero emissions , and to tackle challenges such as the growing skills shortage . I cannot wait to come back in May 2022 to see the vast progress industry and government will have made towards decarbonisation in that time , and once again , gather to examine and challenge the forces shaping this vital sector .”
ITT Hub and the Future Logistics Conference will be returning to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre next year , with the date confirmed as 11 – 12 May 2022 .
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