Construction Equipment Association

When I was asked for my latest blog, I initially thought, ‘July has been a quiet month’ – until I checked my diary! Another busy month of events and meetings The month started with the IPAF Elevate Event at St Georges Park. At the event, I signed the formal agreement between IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) and the CEA to promote CESAR to their members. The focus of the day was on theft, fraudulent hire, and keeping your business and assets safe.

New relationship will support closer cooperation across the construction equipment and hire sectors CEA (Construction Equipment Association) and HAE (Hire Association Europe) have agreed a reciprocal membership arrangement, strengthening cooperation between two of the UK’s leading industry trade associations.

The skills shortages that construction equipment manufacturers deal with every day now have a number attached to them, and it is a big one. A new report estimates that skills gaps and shortages are costing the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector around £5 billion a year, or roughly 2% of total output. Mind the Gap: The £5bn cost of missing skills is published by the skills charity Enginuity, alongside economic consultancy SQW and Oxford Innovation Advice.

Peter Sebold has been appointed as Key Account Manager Europe, at Hyundai Construction Equipment. Moving from a product management role within the company, Mr Sebold is well known and respected within the equipment business, having held senior sales, marketing and product management positions with several leading manufacturers. Moving to Hyundai in 2019, he has experience in sales support, distributor training, product launches, marketing support and events.

CEA (Construction Equipment Association) has welcomed GRANIT PARTS as its latest member. Based in Peterborough, GRANIT PARTS supplies replacement parts and accessories to professional dealers and workshops across the UK and Ireland. Its extensive product range supports construction machinery, telehandlers, agricultural equipment, forestry and groundcare machinery, as well as workshop and industrial applications.

The CEA (Construction Equipment Association) is pleased to welcome Reich Drive Systems UK Ltd as its latest member. Based in Stockport, Reich Drive Systems UK is the wholly owned UK subsidiary of German manufacturer REICH, supplying its coupling technology throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

NatWest has appointed Ashleigh Dorrington-Harvey as its new Head of Manufacturing and Construction, further strengthening the bank’s commitment to supporting two sectors that play a vital role in driving UK economic growth, productivity and sustainability. Ashleigh brings 14 years of experience across NatWest Group, having held a range of leadership and client-facing roles spanning Personal and Business Banking, Large Corporates, Commercial Mid-Market and National Sectors.

The CEA extends its congratulations to Phil Battle, Executive Director at SMT GB, on completing his MBA with Distinction at the University of Bradford School of Management. Phil recently attended his graduation, marking the end of a two-year programme that he described as challenging, rewarding and incredibly worthwhile.

The CEA has issued a progress update on the tender process for the future operation of CESAR, the CEA-owned official security marking and registration scheme for the construction and agricultural machinery sectors. The Expression of Interest process remains open, with submissions now due by 10 August 2026. Organisations that would like to be considered as part of the process are invited to complete the Expression of Interest form.

Nylacast Group has appointed James Reeves as Chief Executive Officer as the engineered polymer manufacturer looks to accelerate its global growth. Founded in Leicester in 1967, Nylacast produces precision engineered polymer solutions for demanding applications across industries including construction, transport, marine, energy, automotive and manufacturing.