Powered Access Division:   Key Drivers for Growth

Global sales of powered access platforms are closely tied to the performance of the construction industry. The global economic recession has created a challenging environment for the powered access sector. However, Tanfield's Board of Directors are confident that the medium and long term growth prospects of this sector remain positive.

Engineers in the UpRight plant, Europe.	Engineers in the Snorkel plant, America.

Stricter EU legislation on working at height continues to drive wider adoption of aerial work platforms, especially in new EU member states, while growing adoption of Western construction practices in the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia is also increasing Powered Access sales in emerging markets.

Awareness of the cost efficiencies and safety benefits of aerial lifts is growing in many of the same countries that are also engaging in new commercial construction and infrastructure projects.

The ratio of platforms to construction workers in these developing markets is growing, but there remains a considerable opportunity to reach similar utilisation rates to that of mature markets such as North America, Western Europe and Scandinavia.