JCB enter $8 billion powered access market
Company launching new range of scissor lifts, articulated booms and telescopic boom machines
JCB have signalled their intention to become a major player in the powered access market by entering the sector for the first time with the launch of a brand new product range. The move is aimed at grabbing a slice of a market where 130,000 units a year are sold – generating an annual revenue of US$8 billion.
JCB have been developing and engineering a line-up of powered access machines in secret for the past two years, and last week the wraps came off an initial nine all-new electric scissor models.
By the end of 2017 the newly launched JCB Access business will be offering a total of 27 new platforms, including scissors, articulated booms and telescopic boom machines, with a high degree of parts commonality between the three model ranges.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: ‘The access market is a truly global market and offers immense opportunities for growth for JCB. It’s a market that is ripe for a new supplier with the ability to offer industry leading, round-the clock-product support. JCB’s 770 dealers with 2,200 depots can deliver the back-up that global customers expect.’
The new JCB Access products – designed in house to meet the needs of rental companies and contractors worldwide – will initially be offered in the UK, France, Germany and North America. The product range has been certified by TUV, ensuring the highest product quality standard, and will also comply with the latest ANSI and CSA legislation.
Lord Bamford continued: ‘Customers in this industry now have a highly credible alternative with a range of products built and certified to a higher standard. We are very excited about the opportunities this offers the rental customers that we already know very well.’
JCB’s dealer network has been undergoing full sales and service training to be able to provide world-class back-up for the access platform ranges. JCB’s LiveLink telematic system will be incorporated as standard on all booms, and available as an option on the scissors.
By the end of 2017 JCB’s range of access platforms will include: nine electric and three diesel scissor lifts from 15ft (4.6m) to 45ft (13.8m); five articulating booms – four diesel and one electric – from 49ft (14.9m) to 81ft (24.6m); and 10 diesel telescopic booms from 67ft (20.6m) to 136ft (41.6m).
