Vimpex marks two decades growing alongside The Emergency Services Show

Vimpex has been part of The Emergency Services Show since its launch in 2006. At the same time, the company was expanding into rescue equipment – marking the start of a period of growth that has closely mirrored the show itself. We spoke to Managing Director, James Jones about how that relationship began, and what has changed across the sector over the past two decades.

“The first show coincided with our business diversifying into rescue equipment,” he says. “We were investing in developing a new division and the timing was perfect.”

The event looked very different in those early years. When it launched, it brought police, fire, ambulance and suppliers into the same space at a time when they were largely operating separately. Since then, it has grown in both scale and reach, reflecting a wider shift towards joint working across the emergency services.

“In size, obviously,” Jones says, when asked how the show has evolved. But for him, it’s the audience that has kept it relevant. “The breadth of visitors has always impressed us,” he adds. “More recently, there have also been more overseas visitors, which is great to see.”

That growth has mirrored Vimpex’s own. “We have matured exactly in parallel to ESS. Our rescue division is 20 years old too,” Jones says. “Our business has become a highly respected and trusted brand in the UK emergency sector.”

Some of his strongest memories from the show are the simplest. “The time when we brought in an entire car and turned it on its side as part of our exhibit,” he says.

That hands-on approach has been part of the show from the start. It was never just about selling kit, but about bringing together the people who design and supply equipment with those who use it on the ground. Over time, that has expanded to include seminars, collaboration spaces and a growing focus on emerging challenges, but the core idea remains the same.

There are still barriers in how the sector engages with suppliers. “The UK emergency services sector is sometimes hesitant to speak to suppliers,” Jones says. But he points to the show as a way of overcoming that. “ESS is well established. It’s in the calendar for the people we need to see. The show is trusted by our customers and is therefore well attended.”

The nature of those conversations has also changed. Expectations around equipment are higher, and it is now used in more complex, multi-agency environments, with greater scrutiny and awareness of long-term risk.

Procurement remains one of the biggest challenges. “It seems to change every year, from FireBuy in the early 2000s, to frameworks and now national procurement,” Jones says. “It remains a minefield, and the process still needs significant improvement.” For Jones, the solution is straightforward: “Let’s get back to a shared procurement diary across the fire services. An R&D and product trial hub would be good too.”

For Vimpex, maintaining a strong relationship with the sector comes down to listening. “Whether at a show or directly with the customer, early engagement, concept testing and first-to-market trials are vital,” he says. “The useful ideas come from conversations with people doing the job.”

Looking ahead to the future, one issue stands out. “Specifically in firefighting, awareness of and mitigation of the risks from exposure to poisons and carcinogens is going to be of massive importance over the coming years,” Jones says. While awareness is improving, he believes action is lagging behind. “We are not cleaning firefighting PPE or SCBA nearly well enough in the UK.”

Two decades on, The Emergency Services Show is a much larger event than it was at the start. But for companies like Vimpex, the value is not just in its scale. It is in the conversations it creates – bringing the right people together and reflecting what is changing across the sector.

Check out our recent interview with David Brown, Co-founder of The Emergency Services Show, where we look back at the last 20 years together. Read more here.

Vimpex is a founding partner at The Emergency Services Show 2026, taking place from 16-17 September at the NEC in Birmingham. You can find them on Stand M1. Register your interest to attend here.