Over 500 attend first ELEVarte show in Spain

The first-ever Spanish ELEVarte show drew more than 500 visitors from Spain and Europe, said the event organisers IPAF and Spanish publication Movicarga.

Held at the Alcalá de Henares park north of Madrid on 17-18 September, the show has a similar ‘informal' feel to Platformers' Days in Germany and other events such as Vertikal Days in the UK and Verticaaldagen Benelux in Holland.

Although the Spanish access market continues to struggle - with construction activity at around 50% of the peak level before the financial crisis - the event managed to attract over 30 companies displaying over 100 machines.

Products on show included MEC Aerial Platforms' Titan machine - in the colours of Riwal - and the new 16 m version of the Mecaplus self-levelling articulated boom (see separate story).

Romina Vanzi, IPAF representative for Spain and Portugal, said; "ELEVarte marks the start of a new philosophy of meetings between Spanish professional. Our industry needs a forum to share experiences and knowledge, and a stage to establish personal contacts between customers and dealers. This is what we have offered at ELEVarte."

IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman said; "Our Spanish members asked us to look at economical ways of supporting their activities in these difficult times - ELEVarte was our response".

The show was officially opened by Marta Viñuelas, councillor for tourism and economic development of Alcalá de Henares. ELEVarte is jointly organised by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Spanish magazine Movicarga.

More details about ELEVarte are at www.elevarte.es