Business on the up
6 April 2021
I’ve been struck by the number of hirers telling me recently how busy they are supplying access machinery, which is traditionally a very competitive market.
Companies like Rainham-based Hares Hire Services and Instant Plant & Tool Hire of Stoke have mentioned this in earlier blog posts.
And manufacturer Snorkel UK, whose factory is in Tyne & Wear, reports a steady stream of orders to hirers, including Banner Plant as reported last month.
Other developments have included the delivery of ten Snorkel TM2 telescopic mast lifts to Neon Hire Services (pictured below) and ten machines to Tyne & Wear Access (above) comprising S3010P mini scissors, S3219E and S3226E electric scissor lifts, a TM12 self-propelled telescopic mast lift, an S2755BE bi-energy rough terrain scissor and an A46JRT rough terrain articulated boom.
Snorkel UK managing director Andrew Fishburn believes that one reason for this activity is the flexibility of many independent hirers. “Some larger companies furloughed a lot of staff during the first lockdown and perhaps they lost ground,” he tells me. “Independents were able to react quickly to local demand.
“Also, construction generally is buoyant at the moment. House building is strong, major projects are starting to get released and HS2 is well under way. And some businesses that have been quieter than normal during the lockdown restrictions have taken the opportunity to get refurbishment and improvement work done.
“We’re taking orders regularly across our range,” says Andrew, “and we’ve done particularly well with the RT compact scissor lifts. I also think that people want to support British manufacturing.”