Chinese powered access - Market Report


“All of this investment is making hire companies and their customers more comfortable with our brand. We are becoming part of the normal selection process when it comes to choosing an access platform provider. Ten years ago, the expectations were that Chinese equipment was lower cost but had quality issues, but that has changed. By the time the product becomes indistinguishable from a western product there won’t be an awful lot of difference in pricing. It is more about the quality of the product and the support infrastructure around it.”


Product innovators


One area where the Chinese manufacturers are now at the forefront of the market is the electrification of rough terrain booms and scissors. For decades the domain of diesel, these mid-sized machines are now becoming battery powered.


At the Vertikal Days trade show earlier this year, XCMG showcased a new 66ft and 86ft all-electric telescopic booms, and since then has also launched a 60ft articulated boom. It has signed an official agreement with Elite Access Repairs Ltd which becomes its spare parts and warranty work partner in the UK. Elite is also selling XCMG machines and Hire Safe Solutions has already placed an order for 25 units.


Adam Bessell, managing director of Elite, said: “XCMG is one of the biggest manufacturers of construction equipment in China, they have the expertise, size and scale to be a major player in Europe.


“It is our business to know machines inside out and it became immediately clear to us that the XCMG machines are every bit as


“The old prejudices about quality are falling away. People realise the Chinese have upped their game – in some cases these products are better than some of the machines from the more established brands.”


Sinoboom’s ethos currently is to sell battery- powered platforms in Europe. “It is a good position for us to take because there is pull- through from the customer base, rather than it being us pushing it on them,” said Lawson. “Battery power is nothing new in access equipment, because of applications where machines need to work indoors, so producing all-electric machines for outdoor use is the next step.


“Diesel won’t immediately disappear but as time goes by traditional diesel products like a rough terrain scissor lift will see their market share get nibbled away by electric products. We are beginning to see the infrastructure to support electric rough terrain machines on site – one of the first things that gets installed on site now is power supply. Another priority is the pouring


Dingli’s Northwood says this leading position in product development is a demonstrable trend. “There is a strong realisation that Chinese manufacturers are now innovators,” he said. “We are making access platforms more robust and durable, as well as driving the market forward with innovative products.”


Another area where Chinese manufacturers are leading the pack is in oil-free lifts ideal for clean environments like data centres, chemical processing or food and drink production. “In the last three years we launched a completely oil-free mast lift which has been very well received,” added Northwood. “We will be extending that technology through our slab scissor range over the coming months – that is true innovation. There have been oil-free scissors from North American manufacturers, but their price point does not appear attractive to the rental market - this technology needs to be available at a commercially acceptable price.”


Market share


Chinese manufacturers see this as just the beginning of a shift in the balance of power, as they seek to take more market share off the established western brands.


“To use the automotive analogy, China has rocked that whole world in terms of who are the biggest players – it has torn up the rulebook,” said Pinnacle’s Lawson. “Something similar is happening in powered access. The arrival of the Chinese manufacturers in the UK has shaken up the box and we will have to wait and see who comes out as winners.”


Sinoboom sees a bright future for battery powered machinery in Europe.


Bessell added: “I think it could be a big swing, the Chinese could end up with most of the UK market. Chinese manufacturers are bringing out better machines than the established manufacturers and they can deliver them faster. The Chinese saw the supply chain issues coming and have been waiting for their opportunity; now it has arrived.” n


Chinese manufacturers


in the UK has shaken up the box and we will have to wait and see who comes out as winners


‘‘


good as those from the really big western brands. We’re looking forward to getting the machines out there so hire companies can see this for themselves.


The arrival of the


’’


The XCMG XGS22E telescopic boom.


of concrete slabs, enabling electric access products to go to work and negating the need for more expensive and less clean diesel machines.”


July/August 2022 - Executive Hire News 21


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