Active growth spurt with APS

Scottish powered access rental company, Active Access has taken delivery of almost 60 machines from Access Platform Sales (APS), as it continues on the next phase of its major expansion plans.

Active Access Limited was acquired by Euro Mechanical Handling Ltd (EMH) – part of the ZL Group - in 2017, with the aim of making it Scotland’s leading independent provider of access platforms. The company’s recent investment now takes its fleet up to more than 330 machines, with a commitment for a further 150 in 2018.

Seref Zengin, managing director of EMH, said, “We acquired Active Access because we knew it was a company with great potential, and we have truly transformed the business this year. Our main goals were to invest in our fleet, significantly grow turnover and also move up the value chain, with signed supply agreements with major construction contractors. We are delighted to have already achieved all our objectives and our focus has now moved to next year’s goals.

“Our most recent acquisition of almost 60 access platforms, along with a further £1.7m investment for over 150 machines next year, will support these new contract wins and provide headroom for further growth. We also purchased five trucks during the year, increasing our delivery capabilities so we are now not only providing a nationwide service across Scotland, but also increasingly supplying platforms to customers in northern England.”

Active Access was founded in 2003 and is based in fully-owned, purpose-built, 3-acre premises in Bellshill, near Glasgow.

David Irvine, finance director for Active Access, added: “The turnaround of the business in the last 12 months has been incredible. Our success has been fully supported by our bankers, with considerable credit lines being approved and put in place so we have the confidence to continue to expand our fleet and grow our business.”

The fleet investment in 2017 includes a variety of Genie machines consisting of S125, SX150, S80, Z80, Z62, Z45 and S65 units; as well as a range of Hinowa tracked booms spanning 17, 20 and 26 m working height. There was also an Isoli 210 vehicle mounted boom.

Active Access purchased all the machines from APS, an authorised UK distributor for both Genie and Hinowa. With the independent Scottish rental company also committed to invest circa £1.7 million in around 150 new machines during 2018, this would take its fleet size to more than 480 units. This investment will include the first UK order for an exciting new Hinowa tracked boom that will be officially launched early next year.