KHL Group acquires CEWEF

International construction information supplier KHL Group has acquired the CEWEF conference and event from initiator Groeneveld Group, a specialist in automatic maintenance and safety systems.

KHL plans to build on the foundations laid by Groeneveld in the last five years and expand the event to appeal to the wider construction industry. In line with this, it will be re-named the International Construction Economic Forum (ICEF) and will incorporate CEWEF. The next event will be held in Amsterdam in November 2013. It will comprise a conference and networking opportunities, along with awards and a Gala Dinner honouring successful construction projects around the world. Groeneveld will be a leading sponsor of the 2013 event.

The ICEF 2013 programme will be tailored to meet the needs of executives and senior managers among contractors, consultants, rental companies and equipment manufacturers in the global construction industry, and will also appeal to the wider community of high-level stakeholders, such as governments, NGOs, development banks, project funders and trade associations in the sector.

ICEF’s core themes will include forecasts and opportunities in the construction industry, project management and successful project delivery, and equipment technology and asset management.

The ICEF awards will honour projects from around the world that demonstrate excellence in management and execution. Most sought-after is exepcted to be the new International Construction Project of the Year award, which will recognise outstanding sucess in a major construction project of global significance. Further categories for the awards and the composition of the judging panel will be announced at a later date.

Commenting on the acquisition, KHL Group managing director James King said, “Over the last five years Groeneveld has established CEWEF as a high-quality conference and networking event for the equipment industry. The acquisition by KHL Group will allow us to take it to the next level, broadening its appeal and establishing it as a true global meeting place for senior executives from all stakeholder groups in the worldwide construction industry. We will maintain ICEF’s roots in the construction equipment industry, and we are delighted that Groeneveld remains committed to the event as a leading sponsor.”

CEWEF president, Thierry Schuermans said, “We are proud of what we have achieved with CEWEF over the last five years, and the positive feedback we have received from delegates after each event is testament for this. We are confident that under KHL’s stewardship, the event will continue to grow and reach its full potential as a global industry meeting place. We look forward to a continued long association with ICEF.”