Major merger creates aerial work platform distributing giant

Telford, UK-based Independent Parts and Service Ltd (IPS) and Huntingdon, UK-based Access Platform Sales Ltd (APS) are to merge their European operations to create an independent full service distributor of powered access (aerial work platforms) in the UK.

Since its creation 10 years ago IPS has grown revenues to in excess of £8 million and is the country’s official parts and service provider for several major manufacturers including Genie and Snorkel. APS has an even longer history with a 25-year track record of sales and support for a range of manufacturers.

The newly combined organisation brings together IPS’s parts sales and APS’s strength in used and new machine sales, especially for Genie, Hinowa, Omme, Youngman and Niftylift.

Tony Jennings, managing director and principal shareholder of IPS, said: “The strengths and attributes of IPS match perfectly with those of APS to create an organisation of huge potential. We firmly believe that the access industry has matured to the stage where manufacturers can no longer afford, or need, to invest heavily in their own support structures in every country.”

APS chairman and founder Jim Daintith said: “For manufacturers seeking significant market penetration, finding and employing sufficient numbers of truly capable individuals for sales and technical roles is extremely challenging, time consuming—and very expensive.”

In addition to Jennings and Daintith, the directors of the combined organisation will be Kevin Shadbolt, of IPS, for operations, and Richard Tindale, of APS, for sales and marketing.

Initially, trading will continue under both the APS and IPS brands.