Company Announcement - August 5 and 6, 2015 brings the 18th biennial International Materials Handling Conference and Exhibition – Beltcon 18 – to the materials handling and conveyor industry. Now in its 36th year, this prestigious conference is recognised worldwide as a valuable resource in bringing the very latest developments in materials handling to a wide audience. Up-to-date research, new conveyor techniques, report-backs on methodology and installations and new technology are presented by some of the most eminent international conveying specialists.

Beltcon draws on the expertise of distinguished speakers from academia, researchers, professional engineers working in the field and practical, hands-on conveying experts who present two days of informative and absorbing materials handling and conveying information. Speakers this year include Simon Curry, Billie Christie, Nelson De Andrade, Alan Exton, Adi Frittella, Abri Smit, Hannes Kotze, Prof Gabriel Lodewijks, Willem Niemandt, Marian Obtrebski, Dave Pitcher, Stephan Roos, Graham Shortt, Graham Spriggs, Henk Van de Ven, Andre Van Staden, Dr Ben Van Zyl, Craig Wheeler, Yijun Zhang and Michael Thompson.

Topics cover designing idler rollers, take up winches, analysis of belt stresses, conveyor maintenance, chute design, belt cleaners, pipe conveyors, overland conveyors, conveyor energy requirements, aramid conveyor belts and splicing, materials handling storage design, idler bearing misalignment, the Namakwa Sands dual carry conveyor, RFID and BTM, overland conveyor noise, energy saving belt conveyor design and conveyor belt bottom cover failure.

This conference and exhibition of products relevant to the conveying industry grows in stature and quality each  time it is held. Beltcon 17, in 2013, was hailed as the best ever, and this year's Beltcon promises to be even more successful. Delegates include owners, managers, decision makers, designers, engineers, technicians, manufacturers and constructors of bulk materials handling systems and conveyor belts.

Beltcon is supported by the Conveyor Manufacturers Association and is organised by Cost Time Resource. This is the same team that recently held the successful inaugural conference on Safety in the Conveyor Industry – Safecon – which will now be held every second year, alternating with Beltcon.

Delegates attending can claim credit points towards the ECSA Continuous Professional Development requirements. Accommodation is available at the conference venue.