Access hire is the rental of equipment designed to help workers reach elevated or difficult-to-reach areas, such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts. These pieces of equipment can be hired for short periods, meaning that businesses do not need to invest in their own equipment or find space for it. Often, rental companies will take care of maintenance and cleaning for the duration of the rental period, reducing overall costs.
As well as hiring equipment, some companies will offer training and support to ensure that workers are using the machines correctly and safely. Many companies have also earned the prestigious IPAF Rental+ quality mark, which is awarded to rental companies that have been independently audited to meet the industry’s most stringent standards for customer service, safety, staff training, contract terms and machine inspection.
Access Hire: A Comprehensive Guide to Elevated Work Platforms and Equipment
The 2022 Access50 list of the world’s largest access equipment rental companies has seen a number of changes from last year, with newcomers and old favourites jostling for position. The overall ranking of United Rentals remains unchanged, while the biggest Chinese rental company, Shanghai Horizon, has slipped down to eighth place this year.
Other notable entries include Outreach Access, Kelling Group, and AJC EasyCabin. Outreach Access supplies truck and van mounted access platforms across Scotland, Northern England, and Ireland, while Kelling Group specialises in supplying specialist access equipment for rail, road, telecommunications, street lighting, and electrical transmission projects. AJC EasyCabin, meanwhile, offers both MEWP and telehandler rentals and has an impressive fleet of more than 1,800 units.