July has flown by in a series of key events and networking opportunities for the CEA and our members. A major advocacy win and further expansion to your member benefits portfolio round off an amazing July.
As we approach August and summer shut down for many of our members we have had an incredibly busy July.
Summer party and July Members’ Forum
We kicked off the month (while we still had the great weather) with our July Members’ Forum and Summer Party in Havant. A beach BBQ, complete with Hawaiian shirts and shorts, was in order, and the British weather was very kind to us. The next day, we were hosted at Danfoss and, after a quick room change to hunt down the air conditioning, the Forum was underway with our highest attendance levels to date. Thank you to everyone who joined us. The next Forum will take place at Caterpillar, Desford, on 11 and 12 November, with the usual networking dinner the night before - details to follow.
The afternoon of the Forum provided an opportunity to recap on the CEA Strategy Day that was held in June (hosted by Trelleborg). We shared the output from the day and invited wider input and comments from those present. This work has informed the CEA Strategy 2025 to 2030 and the updated CEA Manifesto. I am delighted that so many of our Manifesto asks have been met or are now firmly on the Government’s agenda with clear pledges. The ‘Manifesto One Year On’ was published on at the end of July , which outlines our successes over the past 12 months and our ongoing commitments to represent the industry. Find out more.
A key advocacy win this month has been the Government's Hydrogen Update, which provides details on government activity in 2025, outlining next steps and emerging opportunities. We were actively involved in the Call for Evidence and are pleasedto see our advocacy on behalf of members has paid off.
Expansion of member benefits
The team has been working hard to expand the range of member benefits now on offer, and I am pleased to announce a further partnership with Cranfield University, including discounts on their Executive Development portfolio for CEA members. These courses are aimed at more senior staff looking to expand their business knowledge and strengthen their management skills. This links seamlessly with our previously announced IMechE partnership also regarding professional registration.
The second major benefit delivered this month is from our partners, ELITE Consultancy. Leveraging their deep expertise and extensive client network within the heavy plant and construction equipment sector, ELITE has compiled a detailed remuneration report that presents salary data points - at the minimum, average, and maximum levels, across technical, sales, and operations roles. In addition to comprehensive salary insights, this report includes data on employee benefits, diversity statistics, and current hiring trends to provide a complete perspective on what matters most to professionals seeking new opportunities. Read the report.
Representing our members
On 22 July I travelled back down to Portsmouth, this time to speak at a Liugong dealer and partner event. An audience of over 100 were present to hear about Liugong’ s extensive BEV range. The opportunity has opened many doors for the CEA to a broader network of key stakeholders from business and government to further the cause for decarbonisation.
PlantWorx2025
And finally, it is almost time for PlantWorx 2025. This year, with two new features – the Sustainability Showcase and ReThinking Futures, aimed at attracting secondary school age students into our exciting sector.
Registration is now open for visitors, so please share this with your clients and customers, as the show offers a unique experience in the UK to see construction equipment operating. This year, we are also welcoming an international team from Mongolia to take part in the Operator Challenge sponsored by JCB. The Awards ceremony and gala dinner are selling fast, so don’t miss out on the chance to brush off those black ties and evening dresses and network with the best in the business.
Congratulations to the Finalists of the PlantWorx 2025 Innovation Awards. The winners of the PlantWorx Innovation Awards will be revealed at the awards dinner on Tuesday 23 September 2025, following the opening day of the show. This high-profile evening will be hosted by magician Ben Hanlin and promises entertainment, networking, and a well-deserved celebration of the people and ideas driving change in our sector.