Hi-Reach appointed as new Snorkel distributor for South Africa

Snorkel has appointed Hi-Reach Manlift (Pty) Limited as its official distributor for South Africa.

Headquartered in Springs, South Africa in the Gauteng province, approximately 50km (31 miles) east of Johannesburg, Hi-Reach was previously the official distributor for Genie. Hi-Reach CEO, George Landsberg has been involved with mobile elevating work platforms for more than 23 years, and in 1999 founded Johnson Access, before opening Hi-Reach in 2005. He is involved with various industry bodies, including previously holding the position of vice president at the Institute for Work at Height (IWH), president of the Contractors Plant Hire Association (CPHA) and chairman of the SABS Technical Committee TC214.

With two branch locations, Hi-Reach offers a full range of MEWP products and services, including new and used equipment, spare parts, product support, financing, equipment rebuilds, inspections and training. As the official Snorkel distributor, it will have access to the entire Snorkel product range, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, mast lifts, material lifts and telehandlers.

Hi-Reach operates from a new facility in Apex Industrial, Benoni where it took delivery of its first stock of Snorkel lifts in April 2021. The company has been providing parts, service and repairs, as well as training services from its Springs and Alrode locations in Gauteng since early 2021.

Regarding the appointment, Snorkel CEO, Matthew Elvin, said, “We are delighted to welcome Hi-Reach Manlift to the Snorkel family. Hi-Reach is a well-established company with significant experience and tenure in the industry, and I am confident that this will be a strong and successful partnership.”

Landsberg said, “Snorkel provides the ideal wide-spectrum of MEWPs and telescopic handlers for our market, and as they have already sold a number of machines into Southern Africa over the last twenty years or so, it is not an unfamiliar brand. The cultural fit with Snorkel also made the decision relatively easy for us.”

Michael Wright, director at Snorkel Middle East, added, “South Africa is a growing market with significant potential for all types of aerial lifts and material handling equipment. George and the Hi-Reach team are incredibly well-regarded and I know that they are the right partner to bring our innovative full-line product offering to this territory, backed by excellent local service and support.”