This year’s PHEX Manchester, taking place between 17-18 October, looks set to be the best one yet. HVP previews what visitors can expect to see at Old Trafford.

Kicking off in just a few weeks, the UK’s leading plumbing and heating exhibition, PHEX, returns for its second event of the year. Held on 17-18 October at Manchester United’s famous Old Trafford Stadium, PHEX Manchester is yet another opportunity for plumbing and heating installers and contractors to keep up to date with all the latest important developments in the industry.

This year’s Manchester show is set to be one of the biggest and best ever. Over 80 heavyweights from the heating and plumbing world will be attending to display their new products, offer show-only deals, and give away stacks of amazing prizes.

 

Speaking of prizes, the popular #PHEXGIVES promotion will be returning. PHEX has teamed up with a number of fantastic exhibitors, including Conex Bänninger, Flamco, and Viva Sanitary to offer a selection of excellent giveaways for visitors to the show.

 

Regular attendees of PHEX Manchester will be able to see a lot of new things at year’s show. PHEX is welcoming a whole host of new exhibitors in 2018 – 17 in total – including names such as Daikin UK, Sentinel, and Wilo.

 

Once again, an engaging and informative seminar programme will feature at PHEX Manchester, with Gas Safe Register, the APHC, and OFTEC all delivering presentations covering the issues that matter to installers.

 

Football fans will be able to make the most of the iconic venue with a free tour around Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. All attendees to the show will also receive a voucher for a free lunch, as well as a free beer in the afternoon as part of the PHEX Happy Hour, sponsored by Williams & Co.

 

Best of all, the event is completely free to attend, meaning there’s no reason to miss out. Free parking is available on-site, and the venue is served by the Old Trafford Metrolink tram station.

 

Over the course of this article, we will give you all the info you need to make the most of your trip to PHEX Manchester, including details about everything on offer at the event.

 

New products

 

It wouldn’t be PHEX without a plethora of new products available at the show for visitors to get their hands on.

 

Pump manufacturer Stuart Turner will be launching its new range of digital pressurisation units at this year’s show.

 

The new Stuart Digital Pressurisation Units mark the company’s move into the heating sector. The range offers an automatic filling and pressure maintenance solutions for sealed heating and chiller systems. They are capable of filling a system from empty, and then maintaining the fill pressure in sealed systems.

 

Fluidmaster will be displaying its new AIRGAP fill valve at PHEX Manchester, which features a spiral vortex-generator for quiet cistern refill, as well as air-gap technology to eliminate backflow. A fast-fit height adjustment means it installs to water levels between 140-240mm.

 

Installers will also be able to learn more about the newly launched Flamco RedProtect at the show. The tablet-based filtration and chemical range from Flamco offers an 84% reduction in plastic, an 8% reduction in pumping costs, and over 90% reduction in weight compared to traditional manufacturers, according to the company.

 

Finally, measuring instrument manufacturer Testo will be bringing the new Testo 300 Flue Gas Analyser to Old Trafford. The company says the analyser combines intuitive touch operation with robust construction and highly efficient documentation. It is fitted with long life sensors, and the instrument is available with a four-year warranty.

 

To keep up to date with the all the products that will be featured at PHEX, keep checking the exhibitor list at www.phexshow.co.uk ahead of the show.

 

Seminars

 

A packed seminar programme awaits visitors to PHEX Manchester, with a host of engaging sessions from industry leaders set to expand your learning and knowledge.

 

The start of October marks the beginning of Quality Plumber Week (QPW). Organised by the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), QPW is about championing the diverse skills of plumbing and heating engineers, and celebrating the role they play in keeping people healthy and safe. This year’s theme seeks to debate the introduction of a single mandatory license to operate a plumbing and heating business, and the APHC will be delivering an interesting seminar on how we can achieve this at PHEX.

 

OFTEC will be delivering a seminar covering what installers need to know about recent changes to the ErP Directive which requires them to specify low NOx oil boilers, as well as providing advice about how to meet the new regulations.

 

Gas Safe Register will once again be giving its popular presentation, covering all the technical updates you need to know as a practising Gas Safe-registered engineer. Make sure to arrive early to get a seat!

 

For the full timetable of seminars, stay tuned to www.phexshow.co.uk.

 

#PHEXGIVES

 

PHEX has partnered with a selection of exhibitors to provide some exclusive prizes for the show. All you have to do is visit the #PHEXGIVES partner stands to find out how to enter.

 

For fans of football, visitors to Flamco’s stand will be able to win two tickets for a Manchester United game, including hospitality.

 

One lucky visitor to Conex Bänninger’s stand will take home a £150 John Lewis voucher, and Viva Sanitary will have a ‘Viva Hamper’ featuring an Apple Watch for visitors to win.

 

In addition, Fluidmaster has an AIRGAP product package up for grabs for visitors to its stand.

 

Prizes are subject to change, but you can keep up to date with the latest goodies on offer at www.phexshow.co.uk, or follow @phexshow on Twitter for the latest information.

 

Free stuff

 

At every PHEX show, there’s tons of freebies for visitors to grab, from pens to bags, and more! But did you know that every ticket nets you a free lunch, as well as a voucher for a free beer as part of the PHEX Happy Hour, which takes place in the afternoon each day. There is also free parking for all visitors attending the event.

 

PHEX also provides visitors the amazing opportunity to tour the iconic home of Manchester United. Immerse yourself in the world’s most famous club, experience the magnificent trophy room, and enjoy the atmosphere inside the 'Theatre of Dreams'. But make sure you arrive early, as places are limited.

 

Most importantly, don’t forget that the event is completely free to attend! All you need to do is register to attend in advance at www.phexshow.co.uk/manchester, or on the door when you arrive.