On June 13–14, 2025, at Molloy’s Quarry in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, CQMS — the nation’s only dedicated Construction & Quarry Machinery Show marked its seventh edition with its most ambitious and resilient performance yet.
Despite torrential rain the day before and heavy downpours on the second day, the show held firm across 100,000 m², featured over 150 exhibitors, and displayed €100 million worth of machinery, drawing more than 6,000 attendees (excluding under‑18s and exhibitors) to witness live machinery in action.
From the muddy grounds of Tullamore to the backbone-strong exhibitors and visitors, CQMS 2025 was truly a show for boots — and business.
Event Overview: Scope, Scale & Scale-Up
CQMS is a biennial live‑demonstration trade event, established in 2013, that has grown into Ireland’s foremost showcase for working plant, quarry, recycling, and construction machinery. The 2025 edition stayed true to its roots, offering two demonstration zones, a vast static display area, and an innovation spotlight that brought together established global manufacturers, local dealers, and a growing cohort of international machinery brands.
Key Numbers at a Glance:
• 2 days (June 13–14)
• Over 200 exhibitors
• €100 million+ of equipment on show
• 100,000 m² site area
• Over 6,000 visitors (adults only, excluding exhibitors)
• Prize fund of €50,000 awarded to one lucky attendee
The prize fund promotion — where visitors entering showed a chance to win €50,000 in show credit — proved a strong draw. The winner was announced live on June 14, building anticipation and excitement across both days
Major Exhibitors & National Brands in Action
CQMS 2025 featured nearly all of Ireland’s leading construction and quarry equipment names, such as Finning Caterpillar, McHale Plant Sales, Komatsu, Takeuchi, Shantui, XCMG, and Hitachi, alongside key service providers including EMS Machinery Develon, Mecalac, Renault Trucks, and many domestic dealers.
Quarry equipment specialists also stood out, with heavyweights like Roco 9, Terex Finlay, Metso, Terex Wash Systems, Omega Crushing & Screening, Aska Sykes, and Barford Equipment, as well as broader international names including MB Crusher — which showcased 17 of its attachments in static display, inviting visitors to walk through and speak to experts directly.
Additional confirmed participants such as STAUFF UK highlighted the show’s pull for hydraulic accessory and system providers. McLanahan Corporation was also prominently featured, with its UK stand in “Crusher Alley” showcasing its UltraFINES System and processing know‑how to attendees of CQMS 2025
Live Demonstrations & Spectacular Display Highlights
The Legendary “Big Push”
One of the standout spectacles was the Big Push — a synchronised manoeuvre involving five large bulldozers working together to move material up a slope. Thanks to Hinch Plant Hire, HML Plant, and Frank Pratt & Sons for providing the machinery, it stood as a powerful testament to resilience, coordination, and scale, becoming a keynote moment talked about well beyond the show days.
Brokk’s Demolition Robotics in Action
The Swedish manufacturer Brokk, represented in Ireland by Ken Finn, attracted large crowds with their powerful robotic demolition machinery. Their live demonstration underlined the precision, power, and safety benefits of remote-operated systems — touching on the sustainability and innovation theme the event increasingly embraces
Digging with Dave & Takeuchi’s Busy Stand
The interactive “Digging with Dave” sessions on the Takeuchi stand, managed locally by Conor Breen of BFM, saw continuous engagement. The compact machines were tested, examined, and discussed for their real‑world appeal in civil, landscaping, and finishing work.
MB Crusher’s Attachment Gallery
At Stand 5 in Zone 4, MB Crusher provided a static walk‑through of 17 attachments including jaw crusher buckets, screening units, pulverizers, and grapples. Attendees were invited to explore the attachments, learn from product specialists, and see how modular tools can transform on‑site operations
Local Support & Community Commitment
None of the above would have been possible without exceptional local support:
• Enda Whelan of Whelan Rock, credited with bringing machinery to prep the site before the show.
• Pat Molloy, his son Patrick, and the Molloy family, who worked tirelessly under adverse conditions to prepare the quarry.
• Local firms C & QEMS, Irtech, Castle Paints, CK Plant, and Agri Knives who all contributed manpower and resources to ensure the site remained safe and organised.
Their efforts were central to the event’s success, demonstrating how a major national trade show can only happen with genuine community partnership.
Industry Feedback & Business Outcomes
Despite weather-related challenges, the consensus among exhibitors and attendees was crystal clear: business was done. Machinery orders, service contracts, and finance queries were consistently logged throughout the two days.
Financial partners Capital Flow and PTSB were on hand to guide and support attendees exploring funding and lending options.
Industry testimonials highlighted CQMS as a place where decisions are made — “You see it, you touch it, you talk to the team, you do the deal.” Feedback emphasized the unique value of a working show format, where machinery demonstrations happen in real time, rather than static or purely exhibition halls.
From reception areas to demo zones and networking spaces, the show facilitated serious trade while embracing the camaraderie of a passionate industry.
Spotlight on New Talent: Sarah Scally Award Winner
Adding a heartfelt dimension to the event was the awarding of the €50,000 show credit to Sarah Scally, a 22-year-old native of County Offaly. Sarah works for CL Plant in Mullingar and earned the top prize as an embodiment of youth, regional pride, and dedication to machinery professions.
Her win resonated across the event — not just as a marketing prize, but as a sign of the future generation engaging deeply with the built environment.
Her passion traces back to family roots — her father and grandfather both working in machinery and construction — and serves as a powerful reminder that CQMS is both an industry showcase and a platform for celebrating emerging talent.
Broader Themes: Sustainability, Innovation & ESG Trends
CQMS 2025 also underscored global trends in sustainability and compliance:
• Battery-powered plant machinery and zero-emission equipment were strongly featured, reflecting the industry’s pivot toward ESG-compliant operations.
• Recycling and waste-handling solutions — such as crushers, screening attachments, and recycling attachments — drew attention, with MB Crusher and companies like Omega and Metso emphasizing onsite material reuse.
• Expert panels, machine walkthroughs, and technology showcases helped raise awareness of how modern equipment can meet both commercial and environmental demands.
These themes elevated CQMS beyond a machinery display, positioning it as a forum for discovery of next-generation solutions.
MC’s & Mascots – The Lighter Side
Our unofficial event mascot Hector delighted visitors across the weekend: visiting trade stands, engaging in conversations, and bringing smiles to both exhibitors and attendees. His presence, combined with friendly Ground Staff and MCs guiding visitors between live zones, made CQMS feel approachable and memorable.
Organiser’s Vision & Future Intentions
Machinery Movers Magazine, as the event organiser, reaffirmed its ambition: to make CQMS Ireland’s leading dedicated machinery show and transform it into an international trade event that attracts visitors and exhibitors from across Europe and beyond. With exhibitors like XCMG, Komatsu, and Takeuchi attracting interest from UK and Continental Europe, the stage is set for future expansion in 2027 and beyond.
The next edition is scheduled for April 2027, with dates to be confirmed. Planning is already underway to deliver an even larger footprint, more innovation showcases, and stronger international draw.
Final Reflections – A Muddy Success Story
The challenges that rain presented ultimately became a highlight: the grit, unity, and professionalism displayed by everyone involved brought CQMS 2025 alive. As one exhibitor put it: “It’s not the weather that defines CQMS — it’s the determination, the machines, the deals.” Visitors who arrived muddy at the site left energized and optimistic, many reporting that discussions started onsite became contracts offsite.
With over 6,000 attendees, €100 million in machinery, and powerful live demonstrations across two tough days, CQMS 2025 exceeded expectations and delivered real value.
Machinery Movers Magazine and the CQMS team extend their heartfelt gratitude — to exhibitors, to the Molloy family, to local partners, to the suppliers, financiers, and most importantly, to every visitor who braved the conditions and helped make CQMS 2025 a triumph of industry spirit.
