The Executive Hire Show returned to the Coventry Building Society Arena on 11 and 12 February 2026 and, by every measure, delivered another highly successful event for the hire industry.
While the final audited figures will be confirmed in the coming weeks, the early results already point to a strong year for the show. A total of 2,116 budget-responsible hire industry professionals attended across the two days, with 153 exhibitors on the show floor, including 30 companies exhibiting for the first time. Audience targets were exceeded compared to the 2025 and 2024 events, underlining the show’s continued draw for the sector.
Visitor numbers were up year-on-year, but just as importantly, the quality of the audience stood out. The halls were busy with decision-makers who came with a clear purpose: to see the latest innovations, place orders, and make the most of the many show-only deals on the latest tools, machinery and solutions. Exhibitors reported strong, focused conversations throughout both days, with many pointing to tangible business being done on the stands.
Innovation was a clear theme across the show, with a wide range of new products, technologies and solutions on display, including developments that support more efficient operations and decarbonisation. The Innovation Trail once again proved popular, helping visitors quickly identify new products and solutions across the show floor. Peter and Lucas Haddock interviewed the ten selected companies, with all of the ‘Top Ten’ videos available to view on the Executive Hire Show website.
At the heart of the Executive Hire Show is the strength of relationships across the industry, and few illustrated that better than Daniel Koranteng from Premier Plant Hire Africa, based in Accra, Ghana. Daniel travelled to the UK specifically to attend the show and to meet with SANY UK & Ireland, the major plant supplier to Premier Plant & Tool Hire Limited in London. As he develops a mini-excavator hire market in Ghana, Daniel has found his relationship with SANY and Paul Kuebler particularly valuable in building both his knowledge and his business in Africa.
The show also attracted a number of well-known industry voices and content creators, underlining its role as a key meeting point for both buyers and the people shaping conversations across the sector. Among those attending were Nick Drew (Digger Man Blog), Ollie Gunns and Ben Wade, better known as Ben the Operator.
Ollie Gunns, content creator and owner of Gunns Contractors, said:
“Trade shows are great for lots of reasons. They take you off-site for a day, give you the chance to catch up with people across the industry, and let you get hands-on with the latest equipment before committing to a purchase. I always come away with something to think about, a new idea for the business, or a conversation that could lead to future opportunities. It was well worth the visit to the Executive Hire Show this year.”
From a commercial point of view, the show floor reflected a strong appetite to do business. Will Redmann, Distribution Manager North at Thwaites, said:
“It was great to welcome John Harding, National Sales Manager at KHD Brokk Hire, to the Thwaites stand. KHD are among the first UK hirers to take delivery of two 2-tonne Hi-Swivel all-electric dumpers, in a deal with BTE Plant Sales.”
John Harding, National Sales Manager at KHD Brokk Hire, added:
“It was a real pleasure meeting the team at Thwaites at the Executive Hire Show. We’re delighted to be the first company in the UK to take delivery of the Electric Hi-Tip Swivel Dumper and we’re looking forward to working together. We’re already planning to take another electric dumper in the near future.”
That momentum was echoed elsewhere on the show floor, including a major order by Stuart Energy Limited for 20 FG Wilson Pro Range Stage V diesel generators (20–60kVA) to strengthen its rental fleet. The agreement was signed by the Stuart siblings – Mark Stuart, Lee Stuart and Jane Stuart-Puttnam – continuing a long-standing relationship with FG Wilson that now spans 40 years.
Mark Stuart said:
“Signing this deal at the Executive Hire Show makes it even more special for us. FG Wilson has been a trusted supply partner for 40 years, and that relationship really matters. These generators will go straight into our rental fleet to support our customers with reliable, modern kit. The Executive Hire Show is where the industry comes together and where proper business gets done — and this deal is a great example of that.”
Andy Munford, Managing Director at Shindaiwa, said:
“This was certainly one of the best Executive Hire Shows yet. It’s always a real highlight in our calendar and this year delivered on every front. We had a great couple of days in Coventry and would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit the stand and place orders. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Julie Houston Smyth, Managing Director at LOLEX Ltd, said:
“We had a great two days at the Executive Hire Show with our supplier, Navigator Lifts. The stand was busy throughout, with strong interest from customers. The Ranger low level access mast and the Navigator 6.0 both attracted a lot of attention, with the Navigator 6.0 standing out as the only fully manual, power-free push-around scissor platform on the market.”
Klint Mills, National Sales Manager at Fuelco UK & Ireland, part of the Eredyne Group, said:
“The Executive Hire Show was a great success for us at Fuelco and a really worthwhile event for the team.”
Peter Beach, Director of Marketing at Groundhog, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone at the Executive Hire Show for organising another successful event. It was brilliant to catch up with hire professionals from across the sector, and we really appreciated the number of visitors who took the time to come and talk to us about Groundhog.”
Steve Smith, Area Sales Manager at Skyjack UK, said:
“After a busy few days at the Executive Hire Show, the Skyjack Europe team would like to thank everyone who visited the stand. We really value the relationships we have with our customers and friends, and we appreciate their continued support.”
Damian McCabe, CEO of DyMac Global, said:
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit us at the Executive Hire Show 2026, and a big thank you to the EHS team for putting on a great show.”
From a visitor’s perspective, the business value of the show was just as clear. Will Gough, Managing Director at Dudley-based Will Hire Ltd, said:
“It was a really good trip to the Executive Hire Show. It was great to catch up with suppliers and fellow hire companies, and we’ve got fleet purchases inbound as a result.”
Anthony Rees, Managing Director at Rees Plant Services, added:
“What an excellent day at the Executive Hire Show. There were lots of new products and new ideas on show, and we also came away having done an excellent deal with Gunn JCB.”
Brian Jones, Chairman of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), said:
“We had a great show at the Executive Hire Show at the Coventry Building Society Arena. It was excellent to catch up with so many CPA members and contacts, and to make some new connections. Thanks to the organisers for putting on such a strong event.”
Roger Verallo, Managing Director at Euro Towers Ltd and past Chairman of PASMA, said:
“What a fantastic two days. It was a really great show and brilliantly organised. Our team would like to thank everyone who stopped by our stand – the support and interest we received made the whole event a major success. Well done to everyone involved.”
Jade Allen, Sales Manager at International Platforms, said:
“The Executive Hire Show 2026 proved to be a highly productive and insightful event for our team. As the first major date in the industry calendar, it really does set the tone for the year ahead, and it gave us a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with suppliers, manufacturers, customers and colleagues all under one roof.”
The first day of the show also saw the return of the Passionate Hirer Awards, held on Tuesday 11 February and attended by around 200 exhibitors and senior figures from across the hire sector. Hosted by England rugby star David ‘Flats’ Flatman, the ceremony took place in front of a packed room. Alide Hire and Hire Services Southern took top honours on the night, while Josh Llewellyn, Chairman of the Gaia Group and MHM Group, received both a Special Recognition award and the ‘Industry Legend’ award.
Reflecting on the event, Chris Moore, Publishing and Event Director, said:
“What stood out this year was not just the volume of business being done, but the breadth of new products and ideas being brought to market. Across the show, we saw genuine innovation, from new equipment and technologies through to solutions supporting decarbonisation and more efficient operations. Just as importantly, the continued loyalty of both exhibitors and visiting hire companies shows the Executive Hire Show remains a trusted meeting place for the industry. The conversations and partnerships that start here extend well beyond the two days of the event, and that is what gives the show its real value.”
Looking ahead, the Executive Hire Show will return to the Coventry Building Society Arena on 10 and 11 February 2027, marking the show’s 20th anniversary at the home of hire.