In focus

Access international New machines from Genie and JLG promise to be among the highlights of this year's American Rental Association's annual trade show. These are expected to be Genie's long awaited big boom, the articulated Z-135, and JLG's move into the trailer sector in the form of its 35 ft (10.5 m) platform height T350 and 50 ft (15.2 m) platform height T500 units. Bil-jax too will have a new trailer on show in the shape of its 36/32T telescopic boom with 42 ft (12.8 m) working height and 32 ft (9.8 m) outreach. AI understands that a second new bil-jax machine will also be on show, but details are currently not available. Powered access solutions will also be on show from scissor specialist Skyjack and the rejuvenated Snorkel, as well as electric scissors from the reborn MEC, now owned by Equipment Parts Wholesale.

Custom Equipment will use the show to premier its first step into the powered access sector with a lightweight and compact electric scissor designed specifically for in-door use.

Scaffold will be aplenty. From exterior heavy-duty steel through to light-duty aluminium and fibreglass products for the rental industry – there is sure to be something there for any static access needs.

In excess of 10000 visitors are expected to attend the event, with over 600 exhibitors displaying their products that have been designed with the rental industry firmly in mind. For those in a buying mood, once again there will be the opportunity to take advantage of ‘Show-Only Specials’.

It is not just hardware that will be on show. The ARA has put in place a full educational seminar programme that runs for the duration of the show. Bob Dole, who is scheduled to address his audience on ‘Leadership and values in the 21st Century’, will give the keynote speech on the morning of the 15th. The 13th will also see ARA's popular Construction University, with a full day of seminars tailored for a construction/general tool rental audience. This will be followed by an evening reception.

Access Exhibitor List Stand Number

Access International 4461

Access International's publisher, KHL Group, will have a booth at the show, highlighting its portfolio of construction trade publications – Access International, European Rental News, International Construction, Construction Europe, International Cranes and Specialized Transport and Demolition and Recycling International.

A-1 Plank & Scaffold Manufacturing 3594

Will be exhibiting examples from its ranges of interior and exterior scaffolding products for residential, commercial and industrial applications, including utility scaffolding, guardrail systems and other accessories.

ADI 4969

Dealer for new and used powered access equipment offering a wide range of used, reconditioned booms, scissors and other types of platform, as well as telehandlers and other construction equipment.

Advance Scaffold Pty Ltd 3025

This Australian company will be presenting its range of aluminium scaffold products, and its mobile scaffold tower in particular. This offers a tube wall thickness of 2.6mm that provides longer service life, 48.6mm outside diameter tube that use standard scaffold fittings and jacks, 500mm transom centres. 1 metre and 1.5 metre frame incorporates guard rail and are available in widths of 700mm, 1200mm, 1800mm, 2400mm & 3000mm.

Alum-A-Pole Corp 2027

Produces an extensive range of aluminium scaffolding components for use in the construction industry. Representative examples of its products and services will be on display.

AWPT Inc 4864

AWPT will be extolling the virtues of its aerial work platform training programme, modelled on the successful IPAF scheme in Europe. It has been tailored by industry experts to meet the specific needs of US State and Federal requirements, including ANSI, OSHA, CSA and others.

bil-jax 1680, 2554,2664

bil-jax will be exhibiting products from its extensive ranges of frame and system scaffolding and other construction equipment. The company also offers trailer-mounted and vertical mast aerial work platforms. A highlight will be the new 36/32T telescopic platform. The trailer-mounted boom provides a 42 ft (12.8 m) working height with 32 ft (9.8 m) of outreach and features an automatic, self-levelling hydraulic outrigger system that allows set-up in 30 seconds when all four outriggers are deployed simultaneously.

Champion Elevators 5533

Champion Elevators, Inc. manufactures and distributes a variety of rack-andpinion personnel and material elevators for a wide range of applications. Its elevators comply with the ANSI 10.4, ANSI 17.1 Part 5.7, ANSI 17.1 Part 4.1, ABS, DNV, Lloyds and EN81.1 standards. Representative examples will be on show.

Custom Equipment 4463

New player in the indoor electric scissor sector, who will be showing its brand new HB1030 Hy-Brid lightweight with a working height of 16 ft (4.8 m) and all up-weight of 1150 lb (522 kg). It features a narrow width of 30 inches, a 750 lb (340 kg) capacity and a 30 inch platform extension. This machine has been designed for applications where restricted floor weight loading and difficult access would make it impossible to use other powered access solutions.

East Coast Manufacturing and Design 4154

Sells a wide variety of aerial lift equipment from boom lifts, scissors, and trailers from JLG, Genie, Condor, MEC, Marklift, Snorkel and Skyjack. The company also sells a wide range of other construction equipment. It also provides repair, repaint and rebuild services.

Gadsden Scaffold Co 2968

Gadsden manufactures a wide range of scaffold products for the construction industry, including narrow, standard and walk through designs. Tower scaffolds are also available, along with a wide range of scaffold accessories.

Genie Industries 4212

The highlight of the Genie stand is expected to be the new Z-135 articulated boom, with a platform height of 135 ft (41.2 m) and a maximum outreach of 70 ft (21.3 m). One of the machine's unique features is the patent pending axle configuration, where each axle pivots from a vertical mounting pin to provide easy and quick set-up. Other machines on show include the articulated TZ-30 and TZ-45 booms, the telescopic S-45 and S-65 booms, GS-5390 and GS-2668RT rough terrain scissors, and GS-1930 and GS-2632 electric scissors.

Granite Industries 1634, 1736

Ohio-based Granite is one of the largest scaffold manufacturers in the USA. It produces an extensive range of scaffold frames, utility scaffolds, system scaffolds and scaffold accessories. The company will be displaying examples from these product ranges.

Haulotte US 4762

Machines from French manufacturer Haulotte's range of booms, scissors and vertical mast aerial work platforms will be on display.

JLG Industries 5016

JLG will be premiering its all-new trailer mounted platforms. Two models will initially be available – the 35 ft (10.6 m) platform height T350 and the 50 ft (15.2 m) platform height T500. In addition, other machines from the company's lines of powered access equipment and telescopic handlers will also be on show. These will include the 600S 60 ft (18.3 m) telescopic boom, models from the ES scissor range, the 2294 rough terrain scissor and driveable vertical lifts.

LDC Industries 4936

LDC will be showing its Unilift range of trailer-mounted booms. The Unilift 538 is a 36 ft (11 m) working height telescopic unit, while the Unilift 542 is an articulating design with a working height of 42 ft (13 m).

MEC Aerial Platform Sales Corp 4266

On show will be the company's 1932 ES and 2633 ES electric scissor lifts, which are making their comeback following the company's purchase by Equipment Parts Wholesale. The 1932 ES has a working height of 25 ft (7.8 m) and the 2633 ES has a working height of 32 ft (9.7 m). Both lifts have a deck capacity of 500 lb (227 kg). MEC told AI that it plans to add two larger electric machines to its range later this year.

Metal Tech (Omega) 3336

Canadian manufacturer of exterior and interior scaffolding. Representative samples from its product ranges will be on show at the company's booth.

Michigan Ladder 2017

Michigan will be displaying products from its ranges of wood, fibreglass and aluminium ladder, and ladder platform products, along with an extensive range of accessories.

Niftylift 4952

Trailer manufacturer Niftylift will be showing models from its ranges of trailer and self-propelled aerial work platforms with working heights from 33 ft (10 m) to 69 ft (21 m). The company also produces tracked machines, as well as a range of booms suitable for mounting on vans and trucks. AI understands that the company's TM34HGE, TM34T, TM40, TD34T and possibly an SP26 tracked unit will be on show.

QualCraft Industries 3451

QualCraft will be displaying its UltraJack pump jack aluminium scaffold system with a maximum working height of 48 ft (15 m).

Skyjack 4636

On show will be representative models from SkyJack's ranges of compact and conventional scissor lifts, and its mid-sized and large rough terrain machines. A total of 16 models are available, with platform heights from 21 ft (6.5 m) up to 56 ft (17 m).

Snorkel International 4250

Representative machines from Snorkel's range of telescopic booms with working heights from 37 ft (11.3 m) up to 126 ft (38.4 m), three machine range of articulated booms (UNO41, AB50J and AB68J), three machine range of slab scissors (S1920, S2033 and S2545) and three model rough terrain scissors (SR2504, SR3284 and SR4084) will be on show

Telpro 2369

Included in Telpro's ranges of construction equipment is the Tele-Tower adjustable work platform with a static load rating of 550 lb (249.5 kg) and a maximum total height (Including safety rails) of 14.7 ft (4.5 m) and, using an extension,: 21 ft (6.5 m). Maximum platform height is 11 ft (3.4 m) and with extension: 17.5 ft (5.3 m).

UpRight

Products from UpRight's range of powered access will be on show, including scissors, articulated and telescopic booms. The company will also be featuring its aluminium scaffolding products.

US Markets 4669

Aerial work platform re-rental specialist offering a wide range of equipment to the North American rental sector. While rental or re-rent is its major activity, it also offers new and used equipment for sale from manufacturers such as Skyjack, Terex, Genie, Hydra Platforms, and others. Rent-to-own programs are also available.

Werner Ladder 2721

Werner manufactures and distributes fibreglass, aluminium and wood ladders and other climbing products for a wide range of residential and industrial applications. Representative examples from these ranges will be on show.

Wing Enterprises 3583

US ladder manufacturer, whose product ranges include the Little Giant Ladder and Little Jumbo Safety Steps. The Little Giant Ultra-Lite is a Type 1A ladder rated at 300lbs that uses a special resin that is non-conductive and allows the ladder to be lighter and stronger than conventional fibreglass, and comes in 17 ft (5 m) and 22 ft 6.7 m) lengths.

On the social side

For those planning to combine business with a little pleasure, there will be plenty to choose from. Quite apart from the obvious attractions up and down the ‘Strip’, the ARA has put together social and educational events to allow visitors and exhibitors alike to indulge in some networking with old and new colleagues.

Starting with a golf tournament at the Rhodes Ranch golf club on Sunday 13th February, the programme rolls into the Monday with lunches hosted by the 10 ARA regions and a ‘Dessert with ARA’ immediately following. The evening of Monday 14th will also see a ‘New Product Spotlight Reception’ that will combine typical Las Vegas entertainment with a preview of selected new products making their premieres at the trade show. Genie's S-135 telescopic boom and Customer Products' electric scissor will be the main access interest at this event.

The social programme will be brought to a close by an evening fundraising reception on Wednesday 16th hoisted by ARAPAC (the ARA's Political Action Committee), which is part of the ARA& 's government affairs programme.

There will be plenty of other points of interest at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Las Vegas' golden strip. The island-themed Mandalay contains numerous restaurants and shopping opportunities and features a tropical lagoon in addition to its hotel accommodation, casino and 1.5 million square feet exhibition floor where the show is being held.