Bright Skyline
20 August 2020
Changing work practices following the Covid-19 outbreak are creating demand for low-level access machinery, according to Skyline Hire of Dunstable.
“When the government announced that sites could re-open, we decided to keep working to serve contractors on essential projects,” says James Faulkner, Sales Director. “We picked up a lot of new business. One job at a temporary hospital in London required 45 machines.
Winning work
“Our customers include M&E contractors, ducting installers and electrical engineers, and many have been winning work over a wide area. We are supplying equipment as far afield as Nottingham to the north down to Bournemouth and the south east.”
Skyline has been experiencing strong demand for low-level access machines such as the Ecolift and Pecolift, made by Power Towers, because of the need for social distancing. James says that some contractors are specifying twice the usual number to avoid two people being close together in one basket.
“We also offer aluminium towers and podium steps which will always be popular, but the Eco and Pecolifts give a similar working height (4.2m and 3.5m respectively) and can be wheeled around a site so easily.”
Special guards
The machines can be fitted with Eco/Peco Guards made by the supplier Metal and Modular based in Northampton. These give extra protection to prevent inexperienced operators from over-reaching.
“We have ordered a lot more of the Guards in the last few months because of the demand,” says James. “They are very quick to fit and removed using a system of hooks.
Another popular Metal and Modular product in the Skyline fleet is the Autobraked Ductwork Rack for the safe storage and transportation of tubing around work sites. Two braked lever handles on either side of the unit must be depressed by the two operatives before it can be moved.
“They are all out on hire at the moment,” says James. “That reflects the volume of work that’s going on and the need for site managers to avoid trip hazards."
