A-Plant invests £4 million in Genie machines

As part of a major investment and innovation programme in the company’s access fleet, UK rental company A-Plant has purchased over 200 booms and scissor lifts manufactured by Genie.

Valued at almost £4 million, the order comprises diesel articulated booms from 10.3m (34ft) to 24.4m (80ft), Diesel Stick Booms from 13.7m (45ft) to 26m (85ft), electric booms from 9.1m (30ft) to 13.7m (45ft), as well as a wide range of diesel and electric scissor lifts. All of the new machines are telematics-ready, allowing hirers to access real-time information online, such as the exact location of the machine, utilisation and the capability for remote machine disabling.

The telematics system is also programmed to require an International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) PAL card for operation, assuring that only trained operators use the machines. In addition, all of the new Genie booms have been fitted with electronic secondary guarding as standard. Designed to alert ground personnel when an obstruction causes the operator to make contact with the platform control panel, the system interrupts boom movement, sounds an alarm and causes a light to flash.

Half of the new machines have already been delivered to A-Plant Powered Access Service Centres across the UK and the full line-up of new Genie machines will arrive in the coming weeks.

A-Plant’s regional managing director Paul Dennis said, “We are delighted to incorporate these new Genie machines into our fleet, as they offer our customers the peace of mind of ensuring that only trained operators can utilise the equipment, together with a multitude of benefits in terms of accessing real-time fleet management information.

“As well as replenishing our fleet for customers operating in more traditional construction markets, we have invested in new lightweight, compact machines which are ideal for use in markets such as retail, airports and facilities management and have proven extremely popular for work in and around the London area.”

New additions to the fleet include the new lightweight, compact Genie Z33/18 electric articulating boom lift, which is designed to easily drive through standard doorways or to access overhead work from aisles and confined spaces. With quiet, emission-free operation, it is suitable for use in noise-sensitive environments. Another new addition is the Genie GS4047, a 14m (46ft) electric scissor lift, which meets the demands of high rise indoor spaces. Reaching its full working height in less than 70 seconds, its 24V Battery Pack allows operators to use the machine over a full eight-hour work shift.

A-Plant is part of the Ashtead Group plc and is one of the UK’s largest equipment rental companies with over 135 Service Centres nationwide and more than 2700 employees.