CEA (Construction Equipment Association) was represented at KOMATEK 2026 in Istanbul last week, as the exhibition brought together manufacturers, associations and industry leaders from across the international construction equipment sector.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA, attended the event as part of the CECE meetings programme, which included the CECE Board Meeting and General Assembly. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to meet with familiar industry names, build new connections and discuss shared priorities affecting construction equipment manufacturers, suppliers and the wider supply chain.
KOMATEK 2026 took place from 3–6 June at the Istanbul Expo Center and was organised by İSDER, the Materials Handling, Storage & Industrial Equipment Association of Türkiye. CECE meetings were held alongside the exhibition, including the CECE Board Meeting and General Assembly.
A key part of the programme was the World Construction Equipment Forum, hosted by İMDER, CECE’s Turkish member association, which focused on global construction machinery market trends and investment opportunities.
The forum included contributions from Megan Tanel, President and CEO of AEM, Oğuz Yusuf Yiğit, Secretary General of İMDER, Riccardo Viaggi, CECE Secretary General, and Chris Sleight, Managing Director of Off-Highway Research. Chris also moderated the session and delivered a global construction equipment overview.
The discussions were particularly relevant for the UK sector, with figures presented at KOMATEK showing the UK as Türkiye’s third largest import market for construction machinery in 2025, behind China and Japan, with imports valued at $318.135 million.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA, said:
“KOMATEK was a really valuable few days, with the CECE Board Meeting, General Assembly and World Construction Equipment Forum all taking place alongside the exhibition. It was good to see so many familiar brands and faces, but also to make new connections and hear different perspectives from across the global construction equipment sector.
“Chris Sleight’s market overview was particularly useful, setting out the wider picture for construction machinery and the trends influencing investment and demand. The figures shared during the event also showed the importance of the UK’s trading relationship with Türkiye, with the UK listed as one of Türkiye’s leading import markets for construction machinery.
“For the CEA, being part of CECE is important because it keeps the UK sector connected to the conversations taking place across Europe and internationally.”
The CECE General Assembly also included discussions on key industry issues, EU–Türkiye trade relations and the upcoming CECE Congress 2026, which will be hosted in London later this year. CECE President Phil Layton, of JCB, a CEA member company, chaired the meeting.
KOMATEK 2026 provided a useful platform for international discussion, market insight and relationship-building, with CECE thanking İSDER and İMDER for their hospitality and support throughout the event.
