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Hillhead 2026 is set to have more exhibitors and live demonstrations than ever before, with all the leading OEMs signed up for the biennial quarrying industry extravaganza.

What to watch out for

With 600 UK and international companies showcasing new products and service solutions at the show, Hillhead provides an invaluable opportunity to see first-hand the latest plant, machinery, and technological innovations!

Finning UK & Ireland (Stand V1) will take Hillhead visitors on a ‘guided journey’ through the digital tools and smart technologies driving operational improvements. Designed to help operators identify on-site challenges and explore practical solutions, the Finning Caterpillar experience will feature dedicated zones for discussing efficiency gains, process optimization, and extended equipment support. Finning’s expert team will be on hand throughout the show to provide insights into the key trends shaping the quarrying and construction sectors, as well as advanced applications that help businesses work smarter. 

At Hillhead, McHale Plant Sales (Stand Y3) will showcase a range of mobile equipment solutions for construction, aggregates, and waste-recycling. The display will focus on Metso crushers and Komatsu's latest innovations, including the new HM460-6 articulated dumptruck (ADT), PC220LCi-12 excavator, and WA485-11 wheel loader. Also featured will be the Komatsu Dash-11 PC130-11E0 mid-sized excavator, developed specifically for the UK and Irish markets.

ACE Plant Ltd (Stand H14) will be showcasing the Dromone D80 ‘Ball & Spoon’ hitch at this year’s Hillhead, underlining their focus on improving towing safety and reducing exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) in construction environments. By integrating the D80 system, the company is future-proofing its fleet while setting higher standards in safety, compliance, towing performance, and operator welfare. The Dromone D80 Ball & Spoon hitch, together with ACE Plant’s safety chain solution, will be demonstrated in a live environment using a dust-suppression unit with rain gun and spinning disc. The setup not only demonstrates effective site dust control but also shows how the system helps reduce whole-body vibration for operators.

Recognizing Hillhead as the world’s premier quarry exhibition, South African crushing and screening specialists Pilot Crushtec (Stand M3) will use the biennial event to introduce their latest TwisterTrac VS350E mobile vertical-shaft impact (VSI) crusher and engage with prospective European distribution partners. ‘We want to make a big statement about our latest model TwisterTrac VS350E, which complies with the European Union’s Stage V emissions regulations,’ said Francois Marais, sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec. ‘Secondly, we are actively looking to engage with potential distributors for both the TwisterTrac and our broader product range – mobile and static.’ The TwisterTrac VS350E is equipped with a Stage V-compliant Volvo Penta engine that cuts emissions and fuel consumption by up to 40%. Its intuitive start-up panel and straightforward onboard annunciator display make it user-friendly for operators, while the machine’s variable-speed control ensures precise adjustment of output sizes and shapes.

Bunting (Stand C9), manufacturers of industrial magnetic equipment, will showcase a selection of proven magnetic separation and metal detection solutions from their extensive product range that help quarry operators protect critical machinery, reduce maintenance costs, and maintain consistent product quality. Key exhibits on display will include the company’s suspension magnets, TN77 metal detectors, pulley magnets, and the powerful ElectroMax overband magnet. These systems are designed to remove tramp metal, enhance material quality, and keep crushing and screening operations running smoothly without unplanned downtime.

Continental (Stand U2) will be highlighting their latest innovations in earthmoving tyres and digital solutions designed for the toughest quarrying and construction environments. The OEM’s radial earthmover tyres are well known for their integrated intelligent sensors, which provide real-time pressure and temperature data to enhance fuel efficiency and minimize downtime. On display will be the new LD-Master Rock L5, designed for extreme load conditions, alongside the next-generation MPT 91, offering strong traction and high mileage across both on- and off-road environments. The Conti CrossTrac range will also be showcased, combining on-road efficiency with off-road resilience for better handling, reduced fuel consumption, and excellent resistance to cuts and chipping.

Exhibiting at Hillhead for the first time, Jihostroj (Stand PC68) will be keen to promote their hydraulic pumps and motor solutions to a wider international audience. The centrepiece on the Jihostroj stand will be the QHDM2 reversible hydraulic motor, part of the Czech engineering company's heavy-duty cast-iron series designed for mobile machinery in mining and material processing. This robust motor is utilized in applications such as mobile crushed stone sorting machines, highlighting Jihostroj’s expertise in durable, high-performance hydraulic solutions.

Digger Guard (Stand S10) will use Hillhead 2026 to unveil their latest innovation, Sky Shield, a new weather-protection system designed for operators of open-cab mini- and micro-excavators. Positioned as a first-of-its-kind aftermarket solution in the UK and Ireland, Sky Shield is engineered to protect against rain, wind, sun, and site debris, helping to reduce weather-related downtime while improving operator comfort and productivity. Also on display will be Digger Guard’s Vandal Guard security systems, Polymer Handrails, and bespoke engineered polymer components.

Thwaites (Stand N1) will present a new range of dumpers that focuses on safety, sustainability, and operator performance. Leading the line-up will be the latest nine-tonne ROPS+ dumper, featuring an advanced safety system with a wraparound frame, a pull-down roll bar, and a triple-lock motion-inhibit function to ensure safe operation. Also making their debut are the electric two-tonne hi-swivel and three-tonne power swivel models, delivering zero-emissions performance with all-day operation powered by lithium-ion batteries. Completing the display is the production version of the nine-tonne Rotator dumper, offering 360° operator visibility through its rotating cab and enhanced safety controls. A cabbed power swivel dumper will also be on show, rounding out Thwaites’ latest line-up of compact machines.

As the official UK distributor for Hyundai industrial engines, Marshall’s Industrial (Stand B7) will showcase the latest in high-efficiency powertrain technology at this year’s Hillhead exhibition. Engine product highlights will include the fuel-efficient G2 Series (1.8- to 3.4-litre) and the award-winning DX Series (5- to 7.5-litre), recently named ‘Diesel of the Year 2025’. Both ranges meet EU Stage V and US Tier 4 Final standards, providing clean, reliable performance across a broad spectrum of applications. The Marshall’s team will also be available to discuss the full Hyundai engine portfolio, including the advanced HX12 hydrogen engine and the robust 8- to 22-litre diesel range, ideal for large-scale repowering and export projects.

Earthmoving attachments manufacturers Miller (Stand W28) will once again exhibit a comprehensive range of heavy-duty products, including an extreme rock bucket engineered for the most demanding working environments. The display will also feature Miller’s industry-leading GT quick-coupler range, including the GTS, GTX, and GTT tilt-couplers, all now covered by a five-year extended warranty. In addition, the company will showcase its micro-manual coupler, recognized as ‘the most compact and lightweight solution’ on the market. Miller’s Ready to Dig bundles will also be on show, offering a cost-effective and convenient attachment solution for machines ranging from 1–20 tonnes. Following its success at Hillhead 2024, a special-edition charity bucket will also return to the Miller stand.

EPC-UK (Stand B21) – specialists in drilling, blasting, and commercial explosives – will present a suite of technology-driven projects and services at Hillhead 2026, to enhance blast performance and deliver greater value to customers. Central to the display will be the upgraded Expertir blast-design software, a key component of EPC UK’s technology ecosystem, helping engineers to plan and execute safer, more efficient, and optimized blasts. The company will also highlight its ROG+ (Rock-on-Ground Plus) service, alongside tailored software and hardware solutions that bring advanced analytics and full digitalization to blasting operations. In addition, EPC-UK will use the event to unveil a major multi-million-pound investment in a future-ready booster manufacturing plant, set to produce high-quality pressed TNT boosters in the UK.

Automation specialists Baumer (Stand PB43) will present their extensive range of durable, high-performance sensors and encoders, designed specifically for the challenging conditions of quarrying, mining, and bulk handling. Products on display will include the GIM600R, a high-precision, exceptionally reliable inclination sensor for mobile machines. Delivering verified accuracy of up to 0.1º, it combines cutting-edge performance with the latest functional safety compliance, achieving PLd certification under ISO 13849-1:2023. Also featured is the Magres EAM 580RS absolute encoder, a PLd safety-certified solution for mobile automation. Boasting robust magnetic sensing and CANopen Safety communication, the device excels in demanding conditions, with IP67 protection, high resistance to shock and vibration, corrosion resistance up to CX (C5-M), and an E1-compliant design – making it suitable for the toughest on-machine environments.

As demand for waste-recycling continues to rise and reliance on landfills declines, Hillhead will provide the ideal stage for Recycleye (Stand PB49) to showcase the QuantiSort 2.0 AI-powered waste-sorting system – the latest generation of the company’s optical sorting technology for waste streams, including construction and demolition materials, WEEE, and metals. Building on the success of its predecessor, the QuantiSort 2.0 combines enhanced AI, higher-resolution sensing, and patented ejection technology to improve material recognition and sorting accuracy. Engineered to perform in dusty, moist, and low-light conditions, the system delivers consistent results in environments where traditional optical sorters can struggle. With processing speeds of up to 28 billion calculations per second and double the previous image resolution, it supports faster decision-making while reducing energy consumption.

WearKraft, (Stand PB5) a worldwide provider of crusher wear parts for the quarrying, mining, and recycling industries, will be taking the opportunity to showcase their engineering expertise. Visitors can meet the team in the Showground Pavilion, where business line director Jamie Ash and sales director Brendan McAnulla will discuss solutions for all major crusher types, drawing on extensive international experience. Supplying parts for jaw, cone, impact, and VSI crushers, the company operates distribution centres in the UK, US, and Asia–Pacific to ensure fast delivery and local technical support. All components are ISO 9000-certified and precision-engineered for extended wear life and reliable performance, making WearKraft a trusted partner for operators worldwide.

These are just a selection of exhibitors who’ll be at the show this year – view all the latest exhibitor news at www.hillhead.com/news/exhibitor-press-releases

Live demonstrations

The working demonstration areas are one of the defining features of Hillhead, offering visitors the rare opportunity to see plant and equipment performing a real ‘job of work’ in a live quarry environment.

New for 2026, the Quarry Face demonstration area will introduce a programme of curated demonstrations, hosted by Nikki Dean, an experienced broadcaster and technology presenter. Designed to give visitors greater insight into equipment performance, the programme will combine structured presentations with expert commentary and direct engagement from manufacturers. A large LED screen will also be installed to enhance visibility across the quarry face, ensuring visitors can follow the action and key talking points in real time.

There are four separate demonstration areas:

• Quarry Face – Three benches spanning the length of the quarry face will host over 35 machines, including excavators, wheel loaders, dumptrucks, dozers, cold planers, hydraulic breakers, screening buckets and mist cannons, with curated sessions running throughout the day.
• Rock Processing – Also known as ‘Crusher Alley’, where a range of tracked and skid-mounted crushers, screens, scalping grids and stockpiling conveyors can be viewed.
• Recycling – Located to the south of the exhibition site, showcasing specialist crushers, shredders, screens and washing equipment.
• Registration – Featuring rock processing and recycling demonstrations as visitors enter the show.

Registration for the event is quick and easy – simply click here to access the registration site, enter your details, and receive your entry badge by email. 

The exhibition takes place at Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton, Derbyshire, UK.

We look forward to welcoming you to the show!

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