Under the theme: ‘New Horizons | Building the Recovery’, the multi-stream online conference will feature over 50 highly engaging, educational and informative presentations and no less than 12 panel discussions across two days, providing invaluable insights into the major developments that will shape and transform the mineral extractives and construction sectors over the next decade.

The seminars have been specifically chosen to deliver a high-quality programme of topical and technical presentations that will be an invaluable source of knowledge and key advice for those who work in the mineral products industry and construction supply chain, as keynotes, speakers and panels explore the themes of Decarbonization, Digitalization and Infrastructure.

Among the many high calibre speakers confirmed for the virtual symposium are: Martin Baxter, executive director of policy at IEMA, who will open ‘The Carbon Crisis’ session with ‘Making the transition to a low-carbon future’; and Jane Lindsay-Green, an energy-transition specialist from Shell International, who will demonstrate the transforming landscape with ‘Responding to changing energy needs: the pathway to decarbonization in construction and cement’.

Complementing the climate change theme, Tim Burnhope, JCB’s chief innovation officer, will feature in the ‘Time to Flick the Switch’ session. Mr Burnhope will explain how innovative near-zero-emission diesel engines and groundbreaking electric and hydrogen technologies can help accelerate the roadmap to zero emissions.

During the ‘Making Modern Materials’ session which closes the Decarbonization stream, among the speakers taking part will be John Shields, owner and group energy director of Longcliffe Quarries, who has set the ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2027 and will present ‘Calcium Carbonates without the Carbon’.

Opening the Digitalization stream, Avi Nowitz and Eitan Vesely of SKF will contribute to the ‘Removing the Human factor’ session by providing a unique insight into ‘Automated Machine Learning’ through SKF’s Enlight AI solution.

Robert Whetstone, vice-president of Martin Engineering, will join Valeria Zimenkoya to explore ‘The challenges of creating win-win business models with IoT solutions’ in the ‘Intelligent Plant Control’ session.

Meanwhile, Dr Liam Bermingham of EPC-UK will present in the ‘Evolution at the Interface’ session and explore how a digital quarry, alongside mobile plant telematic systems, can make a significant impact on productivity, effectiveness, and safety – as well as cost savings in the blasting process.

The Infrastructure stream will look at the impact of HS2 on the minerals extractive industry. The Tarmac team of Rob Gossling, head of commercial engineering; Graham Cooper, lime director; and Robert Lane, HS2 general manager, will explore the project’s commitment to more sustainable construction with ‘Facing the Challenges of HS2’ and ‘HS2 Raising the Bar’.

The latest technologies transforming road construction will also be discussed with Marcus Wiksten of Topcon Positioning Group using the Nordøyvegen project – an impressive civil engineering scheme connecting five islands off the coast of Norway – as a case study on ‘how to win the bid for Infrastructure Projects’.

The Digitalization stream on 31 March will be moderated by Zoe Kleinman (pictured above right), a leading technology journalist and presenter with 20 years of broadcasting experience and a passion for all things tech, having covered stories home and abroad for some of the UK’s most-watched news shows, as well as BBC World TV and national and international BBC Radio, such as Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme.

The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) will also run a dedicated ‘People’ stream on 30 March exploring the technical and leadership skills that the people delivering this transformational change will need to master. Entitled ‘Creating Future Leaders: Building Skills for the Future’, three sessions throughout the day will look at the health and safety challenges in the post-pandemic era; what makes a good leader – beyond technical competence; and skills capability and personal development for the mineral extractives professionals of tomorrow.

And with some areas of the conference programme oversubscribed, plans are being made to add a fifth ‘Industry Spotlight’ stream to accommodate wider demand for participation in the event. A full agenda and line-up of speakers for this stream will be announced in the coming weeks.

With digital technology playing an increasingly key role in helping businesses to grow and evolve, more than 300 UK and international suppliers of plant, equipment, materials and services have confirmed their participation at Hillhead Digital.  

Attendees at the online event will be able to browse through hundreds of exhibiting companies, sourcing the latest equipment and service solutions in the quarrying, construction and recycling industries. Functionality will allow them to visit virtual booths, request/arrange online meetings with company representatives (live chat or Zoom); watch exclusive new product videos; peer-to-peer network; download brochures, conference handouts and other useful information into their online basket; and much more.

Richard Bradbury, managing director of the QMJ Group, commented: ‘With exhibitors unable to showcase their products and services at physical exhibitions over the last year, Hillhead Digital will provide a dynamic platform for the community to reconnect and share all of the positive developments that will help shape the construction recovery.

‘Our digital-format event will extend Hillhead’s international reach and increase its coverage of the technology sector and younger demographic groups. It will celebrate the enormous contribution the sector makes to the UK.’

Below we provide a brief glimpse of some of the latest innovations, products and services to watch out for at next month’s all-digital event.

Brown McFarlane will be introducing one of the widest ranges of in-stock carbon and stainless steel plates available. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in new warehouses and the latest equipment, including a state-of-the-art processing facility offering steel plate profiling, high-definition plasma cutting, drilling, laser and water-jet cutting and machining. Further enhancing their stainless steel sheet and plate offerings to the quarrying and mining sectors, Brown McFarlane have been appointed as exclusive suppliers of high-performance, wear-resistant Creusabro products for the UK and Ireland, alongside other sole distributorships including NLMK Europe’s Quard range of abrasion plates and Quened line of Q&T plates. 

Energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions have now become central to the way many businesses in the quarrying industry and related sectors operate. Echoing this message will be Cambridge & Counties Bank, who recently commissioned a research study into sentiments towards decarbonization and electrification of vehicles. The finance solutions specialist found that a vast majority of SME business owners (94%) believe UK companies that use vehicles and wheeled assets have a responsibility to change them to electric vehicles as soon as possible, with almost half (46%) saying this should be a priority.

HES Sales, a leading supplier of hydraulic, pneumatic and electric tool brands, will be highlighting their successful track record in meeting the equipment and aftermarket needs of both SMEs and major construction firms. For example, the company was recently approached by a contractor for its on-site lifting and jacking expertise to help support the installation of a 65m bridge, over the M42 motorway, near Birmingham. The new road bridge – the first permanent structure to be installed along the route of HS2 – required innovative engineering techniques to minimize disruption to the road users below. The bridge was, therefore, constructed off site and manoeuvred along the motorway by a self-propelled modular transporter, before being affixed to composite concrete abutments. Supplied by HES Sales, 16 Hi-Force single-acting, fail-safe lock-ring cylinders – each with a 400-tonne lifting capacity – were placed upon temporary support stools on the east and west bridge abutments, resulting in a successful installation. 

Innovative thinking will be the spotlight in the K-Form Screen Rails booth, where visitors will be able to learn more about the company’s environmentally friendly UPVC screed railing. Offering an alternative to steel and timber formwork, the lightweight and durable K-Form product (manufactured from 100% recycled materials) is designed for concrete pours of up to 225mm thick and does not require removal after placement of concrete. Other product innovations on show will include MEA Water Management’s DM drainage channels for use on roads and motorways, and their PG and Mearing PG EVO drainage products for multi-storey car parks. Another key exhibit will be Adfil’s high-performance Darus macro-synthetic fibre range, which offers a proven alternative to conventional steel mesh concrete reinforcement for mineral processing project applications, where durability and service life are key considerations. 

Sykes-Pickavant, a UK market leader in the supply of specialist tools, will be showing a selection of products from their newly expanded range of equipment solutions for the industrial and construction sectors. Among the new exhibits will be three bearing installation kits and a heavy-duty bearing-extraction solution for use on engine, gearbox and industrial machinery bearings. The company will also be introducing two new internal collet extractors and threaded stud extractors for the removal of tapered dowels. 

Industrial cleaning equipment manufacturers Tennant UK will be exhibiting a host of products and technological developments at Hillhead Digital, including the S16, their latest battery-powered ride-on sweeper featuring leading-edge innovations designed to combat the challenges facing today’s industrial facilities managers. The S16 is a versatile fume-free machine that has been engineered for ease of operation and maintenance, whilst providing exceptional productivity benefits. Key features of the sweeper include: MaxPro sweeping technology, which provides consistent brush power regardless of surface and debris changes in both indoor and outdoor applications, allowing users to achieve consistent cleaning results on various surface types; and an Eco-mode for reduced energy consumption, helping to extend run time and reduce noise for anytime cleaning.