UpRight Changes Name, Plans for Manufacturing in U.S.

As part of a major expansion program by its new owners, U.K.-based The Tanfield Group Plc, UI Distribution North America, Inc., Fresno, Calif., will return to the original name it was founded under in 1947, UpRight USA. Additionally, The Tanfield Group plans to ramp up machine production in UpRight's 65,000-square-foot facility in Fresno.

At the plant, UpRight will increase output of the UL range of vertical personnel lifts, and will introduce new production lines in the future. Fresno also will remain the hub for the North American distribution of UpRight ATS aluminium tower products.

“North America is a huge growth market for us, and we believe we must invest in the Fresno facility to realize our potential,” said Darren Kell, business development director of The Tanfield Group. “What became abundantly clear after my first visit to Fresno was that all our North American operation really needed was a lot more people.” With that said, the company is launching a recruitment drive to invest in more employees across the board, from sales managers to customer service representatives to production staff.

Under the new program, UpRight USA plans to develop a strong network of high-profiled dealers and distributors across North America. Rob Hime, senior vice-president of UpRight USA, and his sales team will personally handle national accounts, such as major national and regional rental companies, along with other special activity sales opportunities that may present themselves.

“The original UpRight name is back and so will be the values and the work ethic that made this company great,” Hime said. “We are putting strategies in place that will greatly improve our customers' experience when doing business with us.” These strategies include offering a full line of UpRight aerial lifts and aluminium scaffolding, along with a comprehensive spare parts program and service department to support the sales effort.

“Our company will be focused on putting the customer first,” Hime added. “UpRight was one of the world's largest powered access companies just a few years ago. We are putting in place the strong foundations necessary to build it back up.”