Material Handling - Market Report CAN YOU HANDLE IT? Hirers are experiencing a boom in demand for material handling


equipment, due in part to the pandemic. Dan Jenkins talks to three suppliers about what else is driving this surge.


H


ire companies large and small are snapping up material handling


equipment. This boom was initially fuelled by social distancing requirements on sites, as the right machine can turn a three-person job – such as fitting plasterboard – into a task easily achieved by one. However, while contractors might have hired them to comply with new regulations, they are re-hiring them for the productivity benefits.


John McGhee, Group Marketing Manager at the Hire Supply Company (HSC) said: “Contractors on construction sites now need to be as self-sufficient as possible. They might initially hire for the social distancing requirements, but once they understand the true benefits these products bring, they are coming back time and time again. The beam lifter will fit in the back of an estate car, so hirers love the fact that this is a product that the customer can come and collect – there’s no hassle with transport.”


have been specifically requesting ours over the competitor, which is a fantastic endorsement.”


Niche market


APS, the UK distributor for Hinowa, has also seen increased demand for its stand-on tracked forklift and dumpers.


Jonathan Wiseman, APS Sales Manager, said: “The tracked forklift is still a niche product, but a number of rental companies are now buying them. Invariably they are used on construction sites to move materials such as a pack of bricks from the front of a property to the rear, when there is not room for a telehandler. As a stand-on, pedestrian operated machine, users don’t need an operator licence as they would with a telehandler. This makes it much more appealing to contractors.”


One of the selling points of the TP series forklifts is that it can be fitted with a range of attachments. “Any attachment that would go on a forklift can go on this machine,” he added. “You can turn it into a boom crane or a dumper in a matter of minutes, which makes it very versatile.”


The Hinowa HS701 hi-tip


HSC also provides marketing support to help hirers promote the key features and benefits of the product to their clientele.


“We have seen a significant increase in growth across all material handling products, but particularly for beam and panel board lifts,” added McGhee. “It is not just independent hirers, either – we have major national hire companies investing in these products now. One independent hire company has a fleet of material lifts exclusively from one manufacturer. They took two of our lifts and said their customers


A unique selling point for the dumpers is that they use a mast configuration rather than a scissor pack to elevate the bucket. “A mast is stronger, more stable and uses fewer moving parts,” added Wiseman. “There are no worries about debris getting into the scissor pack, and the strength of the mast means you have a higher tipping height.”


High standards


Hird is officially launching four new cranes from Valla, which will be on its stand at the Executive Hire Show. Carl Cooper, Sales and Aftersales Manager for Hird, said: “The market has received them well and we have a very strong order book. Everyone wants electric cranes for their green benefits. The good thing about Valla is that they have been building electric cranes for years, so


Hinowa TP1800 moving solar panels


they really understand the product. Recently, some of the key drive train components have got smaller and cheaper, enabling Valla to make more compact cranes with even better capabilities.”


Supply constraints


Virtually all OEMs are struggling to ship equipment into the UK due to worldwide logistics issues, and material handling is no different. Increased demand and reduced supply can create shortages. “One of the biggest issues within the industry is supply,” added McGhee. “We are selling out of board and beam lifters as soon as the stock comes in.”


Wiseman added: “The market is certainly brisk at the moment. There is a very positive feeling among hirers, and they are comfortable spending money. We have new stock coming in the summer to meet increased demand.” n


Dale Wilder Plant & Tool Hire bought two Beam Lifters from HSC


May 2021 - Executive Hire News 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36