JLG Host Access Alliance Event.

JLG, a leading designer and manufacturer of access equipment, hosted an Access Alliance one day event at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire on 16 October 2019. Access Alliance members collaborate to serve a national customer base and offer a diverse range of equipment from leading manufacturers. The event provided an opportunity for some of the UK and Ireland’s strongest independently-owned powered access sales and rental companies to get together to discuss regional and national industry trends, underlining JLG’s aim to further support the UK and Ireland’s access industry.

“Part of our UK business strategy is to reengage with small to medium companies,” said Bradley Abrahams, JLG sales director for the UK and Ireland. “Getting in touch with the industry and focusing on this sector of the rental market will allow us to understand the costs for them to run and maintain their machines and therefore develop a better return on investment for these customers.”

The programme for the event included an insightful presentation from JLG senior sales director (EMEAIR) Laurent Montenay on the current economic climate and sustainability of the access hire industry within Europe and the UK and Ireland specifically. The discussion outlined the differences between the two markets and proved popular among attendees.  “The presentation from Laurent was my highlight of the day and extremely useful,” said Tony Crawford, sales marketing and commercial director at Mr Plant Hire, based in London. “It’s an important topic, the learning was invaluable and I will be sharing it among my own sales staff.”

JLG also took the opportunity to present a range of new products and technologies, introduced by chief engineer for Digital Products (EMEA), Neil Doherty. Some of these were on display at Carden Park, including electric booms, the R-series of scissor lifts and the industry’s first mobile control app that accompanies the recently released scissor lift series. “There’s an impressive range of machines on show today, and I’m particularly interested in the electric booms,” says Wayne Grainger, Managing Director of Scunthorpe-based Lincs Lifts. “They will result in lower emissions, which is ideal for working in towns and cities. Investing in them will help us stay at the forefront.”

To round up the presentations, International sales manager for Power Towers, Martin Cheese, discussed the growing low-level access market and the increase in demand for platforms offering a safer and more flexible alternative to ladders. The event concluded with a round-table discussion, and a dinner and drinks reception.

“We were delighted to see so many Access Alliance members at this year’s event, and greatly appreciated their feedback on our latest products and developments,” said Abrahams. “We look forward to working with them in the future, and supporting them in offering safe, reliable and cost-effective equipment to their customers.”