Interview with Skyjack’s Malcolm Early: Sustainable Rental Solutions
Malcolm Early, vice president of marketing, Skyjack; talks about the relevance of low-level access, demand for alternative fuel sources, eco policies, the importance of familiarization as key to safety, and more.
RER: What are the most important developments in mobile elevating work platforms in the past year - especially technology that would be of interest to rental companies?
Early: I would point to two areas. Firstly, the continued relevance in the low-level access sector in the form of the microscissor. With data centers and similar mega projects playing a key role in rental activity, low-level access applications demand several competing design requirements that are essential to customer acceptance. For example, low GVW (under 2000 pounds) while also providing the performance and productivity expected of a slab scissor lift, such as 500-pound capacity and two-person occupancy (indoor) and the ability to drive from one location to the next while the platform is raised. Of particular note is the advent of features like Skyjack’s XStep for our micro range, which maximizes reach and productivity by providing operators with safe, increased access into and around tight, restricted spaces, such as ceiling openings and ceiling-mounted structures.
Secondly, demand continues for machines that offer alternative fuel sources to diesel and dual fuel. In broad terms, this is often called electrification. Skyjack has recently launched a series of battery-electric and hybrid electric articulating booms in Europe. While demand was initially strongest in Europe, Skyjack has seen increased interest in North America and is in the process of launching these models in the Americas. Unlike some other offerings in this sector, Skyjack is focused on developing these articulating boom models without sacrificing performance or features found on diesel machines. Skyjack’s new boom range has common specifications, parts, capacities, reach, and dimensions across diesel, all-electric, and hybrid-electric options, allowing rental companies to choose preferred power within a single machine.
What’s new in your company’s MEWP offering over the past year or so?
Early: Following from above, Skyjack has launched its Micro Scissor range and a range of all-electric and hybrid electric articulated booms. The micros are designed to fit through standard doorways and in most passenger style elevators, without the need for folding rails, and to work in environments where space is at a premium. The platform features a rollout extension deck with up-and-over capability, and an AC electric drive that provides consistent power, torque, and traction. Compared to other micros, Skyjack’s mighty micros feature equal or lower gross vehicle weights and floor loads, and the steel front wheel motor guards offer part protection not available elsewhere in the sector. Skyjack’s new all-electric and hybrid-electric rough terrain articulating boom line has been developed to provide a clean, quiet, sustainable rental solution with no emissions, lower operating costs, and increased utilization. These machines are available with integrated load-sensing technology, a three-person work platform, and high-performance AC electric traction and pump motors that deliver high torque power and consistent multi-function capability.
What are some of the most interesting applications for MEWPs that you’ve seen currently or over the past year or so?
Early: Rental companies across the globe have adopted all-electric and hybrid-electric technologies and are turning to us for simply reliable machines with exceptional serviceability and customer support. There are an increasing number of rental companies with ambitious environmental conditions, as national and local governments look to leverage their eco policies through infrastructure spending, which means contractors, and therefore rental companies, look to employ these machines.
Rental companies can all read the manufacturers instruction or IPAF “how to use” documents, and pass that documentation on to the customers, but what are some of the most important tips or suggestions for safety on aerial equipment that you would like to pass along to rental companies? What are the most common mistakes renters of aerial equipment make?
Early: Operators may assume that every aerial work platform is the same, but there are often differences in operation practices, performance, function, and components. We encourage operators to spend time with the machines they rent, or are servicing, to become familiar with operation and performance. Familiarization is a major key to safety. To support operators and technicians, Skyjack’s ELEVATE Live gives machine operators direct access to key information through a QR code on the equipment. Available free on all Skyjack machines, operators can view the machine’s health status, pre-use inspection checklists, quick start guides, familiarization videos, emergency procedures, and serial-specific machine data. By putting essential resources in the hands of users, ELEVATE Live promotes efficient equipment use and reduces support demands on rental companies.
Looking ahead, what are the next new development or developments in aerial equipment technology? What are some developments you would like to see? What’s on the horizon?
Early: Electric and hybrid-electric machines are starting to be more common in the industry, especially as demand grows for sustainability information and performance. The successful adoption of this technology will be interesting. As we have seen these products come to market, we have seen compromises in performance. However, in the case of our new booms, we have been focused on developing technology that does not compromise on performance. That means common performance specifications across diesel, all-electric, and hybrid-electric models.