Industry News

• JLG introduces Rental Series scissor lifts
  JLG Industries, Inc. introduced two new electric scissor lifts at The Rental Show, Feb. 5-8 in New Orleans. The Rental Series 1932RS and 3248RS offer 19 feet and 32 feet platform heights respectively. The 1932RS has a 500-pound lift capacity and the 3248RS has a 705-pound lift capacity. The machines are slated for production in April.
• Skyjack debuts 63-foot articulating boom at The Rental Show
  Skyjack debuted its new prototype 63-foot articulating boom at The Rental Show, Feb. 5-8 in New Orleans. The SJ 63AJ has an expected platform height of 63 feet and horizontal reach of 40 feet, "the hottest spec for this type of machine," Paul Kreutzwiser, Skyjack's senior product marketing manager, told Access, Lift & Handlers at the show.
• ARA forecasts 6.9% growth in North America as "mood lightens"
  The US rental industry will far outstrip general economic growth in 2012 helped by a structural shift towards rental, said the American Rental Association (ARA) on the opening day of the Rental Show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• We're watching you: the growing benefits of machine tracking
  Far from Big Brother machine tracking systems can be of benefit to the end user, the rental company and the manufacturer. Maria Hadlow looks at some of the solutions available.
• Manitou sales up 35% with another 15% expected for 2012
  Manitou has announced that its turnover figures for 2011 are 35% higher than 2010 (to €1.1billion) and expects a further 10 to 15% rise in 2012. Final quarter figures were 27% higher than the same period in 2010.
• New AWPT course for managers and supervisors
  The International Powered Access Federation's North American subsidiary, AWPT, has launched a new aerial work platform (AWP) training course aimed at enabling supervisors and managers to prepare for and safely coordinate various types of AWPs on site.
• Snorkel appoints new regional sales manager
  Aerial lift manufacturer Snorkel has appointed Bert Rayer as its new regional sales manager for the western US and Dakotas.
• Palfinger results say access improving and export vital
  Palfinger's revenue increased 30% in 2011 and profit (EBIT) was up 83%. Although no figures are broken out specifically for the Palfinger Platforms division, the company said that "improvements in the product division Access Platforms had a positive effect."
• IAPA 2012 shortlists announced
  Following many hours studying the excellent submissions for this year's International Awards for Powered Access and several more in deep discussion, our panel of judges have reached a decision.
• Fairbanks Scales and Terex AWP cooperate over PDI of Genie products
  National network of Fairbanks Scales Industrial Service Technicians will be carrying out PDI ( Pre-delivery Inspection) and operator familiarisation on Genie equipment.