This morning’s attendance was also healthy, demonstrating that despite all the economic doom and gloom plenty of people are still keen to find out about what’s new in the marketplace. Event director Paul Mathers told CIN that first-day numbers were on a par with the preceding ACE in 2007. He said it was a pleasing result given the current economic climate. ACE 2009 brings together around 150 exhibitors displaying everything from excavators and wheel loaders to wear parts and lubricants. Ammann distributor Conplant fed a grateful media contingent breakfast this morning while showing off the ROPS 2 and Ammann Compaction Expert systems. ROPS 2 is a system developed by Conplant to help prevent rollovers on vibrating rollers. It has been fitted to nearly 170 rollers in Conplant’s hire fleet for the past two years. Conplant managing director Ian Coleman said ROPS 2 had performed so well that it was now available here as an option on new Ammann vibrating rollers, with Ammann now planning to offer the system on the European market. “Ammann’s decision to offer this product in Europe is a real testament to the value of ROPS 2,” Coleman said. “The European market is very high volume, with potentially thousands of customers in the roller segment.” New machines being launched at ACE include Hyundai’s Dash 9 excavators, Komatsu’s MR-3 mini excavators and Toyota’s 5SDK skid-steer range. Wacker Neuson is debuting its 701S skid steer and 1101C rubber track loader. To find out more about ACE, visit < a href=http://www.aceexpo.com.au/ class=storylink>www.aceexpo.com.au