CEA (Construction Equipment Association) was represented at KOMATEK 2026 in Istanbul last week, as the international construction equipment exhibition brought together manufacturers, associations and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.
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 the construction equipment sector.
KOMATEK 2026 took place from 3–6 June at the Istanbul Expo Center and was supported by CECE as an Official Exhibition Partner. Alongside the exhibition, CECE held its Board of Directors Meeting on 4 June and its General Assembly on 5 June at the event.
A key part of the programme was the World Construction Equipment Forum, hosted by İMDER, CECE’s Turkish member association. The session focused on global construction machinery market trends and investment opportunities, with 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 gave a global market overview.
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. For the CEA, being part of CECE is important because it keeps the UK sector connected to the conversations taking place across Europe and beyond.”
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 and the CEA, chaired the meeting.
KOMATEK 2026 provided a useful platform for international discussion, market insight and relationship-building, with CECE thanking İMDER and the KOMATEK organisers for their hospitality and support throughout the event.