Executive Hire News › Archives › May 2009 › Market Report : Latest products
Market Report : Latest products
Youngman steps up
HSE statistics for 2007/08 show that 77% of major injuries resulting from a fall from height were from low levels. The Youngman Group offers a comprehensive line-up of access systems for such applications, ranging from aluminium ladders and steps, to specialist ladders and modular scaffold towers, including Minimax and the market leading Boss system.
Recent additions include the Transforma, a professional trade ladder that can be assembled in a variety of configurations to give 19 working heights over four different modes of operation. It can be used as an adjustable stepladder, a stairway ladder, an extension ladder or as two trestles supporting a specially designed telescopic aluminium staging.
Also new is the Teleguard, a stabilised telescopic platform ladder available in two models giving adjustable platform heights of 1.08-1.62m and 1.90-2.44m respectively. It incorporates simple rung-by-rung height adjustment and can be used on flat floors and staircases.
Launched at this year’s Executive Hire Show was the Boss X3 compact battery powered scissor lift. It features sturdy box-section steel scissors and has a 565 by 1050mm work platform with a maximum raised height of 2.55m. Key serviceable components are housed in a pullout drawer for easy access. The machine’s design means no additional stabilisers are required. A tilt switch activates an alarm and prevents ascent if chassis inclination exceeds 1.5°. Youngman recently appointed Huntingdon-based Access Platform Sales as a service provider for the Boss X3.
01621 745900
www.youngmangroup.com
Versatile Planet systems
Planet Platforms’ range of low-level access solutions includes the PROdeck, a push-around, self-contained unit providing a secure working area and two platform heights of 700 and 950mm. Alutec, the manufacturer’s aluminium tower system, can be used to design customised low-level access solutions such as carriage door access steps, door safety barriers, roof access systems, pit boards and cab-end roof access systems.
Protec, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) towers can provide customised access solutions for the rail industry owing to their non-conductive,
non-corrosive and spark resistant properties. Planet has also supplied GRP access steps to Bombardier Transportation to help with testing of new carriages at a workshop in Derby. They were developed to allow personnel to enter and exit several access points in the carriages, as opposed to having a single entry point at one end.
0800 0854 161
www.planetplatforms.co.uk
Building demand for Bravi
Bravi UK believes that on-going demand for low-level access products, including powered, non-powered and push-around equipment, represents an important hire opportunity. The company says that new trends in construction to reduce time and costs, such as modular building techniques and reducing the amount of concrete in floors, are creating demand for lightweight products with on-site flexibility.
The self-propelled battery powered Leonardo personnel lift weighs only 450kg, provides working heights of up to 4.9m and can be driven in the fully raised position. The platform incorporates two rollout decks for increased outreach and the machine fits through standard doorways and
into lifts.
0113 385 4488
www.bravi.uk.com
Hirers Klik with Euro Towers
Euro Towers reports strong demand from hirers for its low-level access line-up, including the Klik Fold, a compact lightweight folding unit that is 2m long and offers six platform heights between 0.2 and 1.7m. Maximum height can be increased to 3.6m with an extension pack. One person can simply unfold the product, fit the board and start work.
Also proving popular are the Minifold, which is 1.5m long and offers the same height options, and the Microfold 1000 podium step, which has a telescopic handrail section, lockable castors and gives platform levels of 250, 500, 750 and 1000mm. Euro Towers can also customise products for applications like vehicle windscreen replacement.
The manufacturer launched its 232 Klik Tower at the Executive Hire Show in February. Having 232mm rung spacings, the frames do away with the need for a separate ladder frame, reducing costs. It is offered in 2, 2.5 and 3m lengths and in single and double width formats. Another product in demand is the Klik High Clearance Unit, designed to be assembled over obstacles like desks and hedges and which has a 1.5m platform height.
MD Roger Verallo will soon be installed as Chairman of PASMA (the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association). “The Association continues to expand and to promote the highest standards of manufacture,” he says. “It is particularly important that the new standards for low-level access products are finalised as soon as possible.”
01604 644774
www.eurotowers.co.uk
Interlink’s fast movers
Interlink Alloy Systems offers a range of podium steps with eight height options, which are reported to be among the manufacturer’s fastest moving products. Other versions can be produced to meet customers’ specific requirements.
The company supplies a complete range of access products including aluminium towers, the Fold Easy folding tower, and the Stairdeck, a patented tower for use on stairways, but which can also be used as a conventional tower.
01992 716579
www.interlinkalloys.co.uk
Pop-Up enhancements raise productivity
Pop-Up Products recently introduced two accessories for its battery powered, push-around compact scissor lifts, which are designed to give contractors easier access to a wider range of work areas and to achieve greater productivity.
The confined space handrail fits directly onto the Pop-Up and Pop-Up+ models. Its reduced size allows the cage and a single operator to access a void above a ceiling through a standard 600 x 600mm ceiling grid.
Also new is a buffer wheel kit, designed to prevent damage to walls and fixtures in first, second and final fix stages of construction and at facilities management sites. Fitting above the existing wheels of the machines, the buffers are designed to quickly rotate when the Pop-Up comes into contact with a surface, and to gently push the machine away.
The machines can be used on projects from the construction phase up to the final-fix stage, enabling contractors to increase efficiency.
Pop-Up Products Sales Director, Paul Gallacher, says “There are a number of concerns that, as the economic downturn puts increased pressure on corporate margins, contractors will resort to using incorrect or inappropriate work at height equipment. Specialist low-level access products such as the Pop-Up and Pop-Up+ help take the complexity out of the situation, by providing simple and safe solutions.”
01244 833933
www.popupproducts.co.uk
Rugged Genie Runabout
Genie’s GRC-12 Runabout Contractor is designed for use at indoor construction sites where contractors are undertaking tasks such as installing and repairing drywall, electrical services and heating and ventilation equipment. The machine can accommodate two people and measures 75cm wide by 1139cm long.
Derived from the GR-12 Runabout model, the Contactor’s steel platform has a lift capacity of 27kg and provides a maximum 5.5m working height. Guardrails are incorporated and the telescopic mast is encased in steel for additional protection against site debris. The machine can be driven when fully raised and has a zero turning radius.
01476 584333
www.genieindustries.com
Clever Monkey Tower
The road-towable Monkey Tower can be erected to its full 6.5m working height by one person in five minutes using the integral hand winch, once the stabilisers have been deployed and the ladder frame raised into position.
The user stays safely on the ground until the platform is raised, and then climbs up through a trap door on to the platform, which has integral guard rails and toe boards. The product weighs 300kg and has a minimum width of 700mm, enabling it to go through standard doorways.
01277 356172
www.monkeytower.co.uk
New compact Power Tower
Power Towers Ltd developed its original Power Tower more than two years ago, in collaboration with the specialist access equipment hirer, Lavendon. It sought a heavier-duty machine than was available at the time and which also had a larger platform, while still being able to pass through standard doorways. Lavendon had one year’s exclusivity on the resultant machine, which had a maximum platform height of 3.1m, but it was subsequently launched to the rest of the hire industry at the 2008 Executive Hire Show.
At this year’s Show, the new Power Tower Nano was unveiled. “Our customers asked us for a machine with a smaller footprint than other products but with a larger platform,” says the company’s designer, Mark Richardson. “We have managed to fit a 1000 by 700mm wide platform size into a working footprint of only 1200 by 750mm wide, with a 360mm closed platform height. The response has been excellent. Current customers and new clients have already ordered in significant quantities.”
The Nano is available in two sizes, giving maximum platform heights of 1.8m and 2.5m respectively. It also incorporates the Autolok wheel brake mechanism, which activates automatically when the machine is elevated. To develop its market presence, Power Towers also used the Executive Hire Show to launch its exclusive distribution agreement with Leicester-based Redband UK Ltd. Redband’s ( 0116 260 2601) agreement is specifically for all UK tool hire companies, the existing customer base for its range of light construction equipment.
0116 200 1757
www.powertowers.co.uk
Lyte gets set for expansion
Lyte Ladders & Towers is in positive mood, following its appointment last year as UK and Ireland distributor for Hailo, a German manufacturer of ladders and industrial products.
Established in 1947, Lyte manufactures a comprehensive range of ladders, stepladders and access towers, and is constantly increasing its product portfolio. The company is currently located in Swansea, but recently announced plans to invest in a new factory and office complex in the Baglan area of Port Talbot. A key factor in the expansion is that the new facility will be situated close to the M4, which will enhance operational efficiency. The premises are expected to be open by late 2010.
01639 846800
www.lyteladders.co.uk |
