Strong demand for powered access equipment in the UK market

The access equipment market, which consists of both powered and non-powered products, was worth an estimated £280m in 2014.

Following a difficult period, an improvement in the powered access equipment sector saw the access equipment market return to growth in 2012. This improvement reflected the resumption of fleet building, fleet refreshment programmes and re-equipping in the rental sector to replace fleet disposals during the construction downturn.

By contrast, the non-powered sector has remained relatively flat over the past few years, though it is thought to have seen reasonable growth in 2014. Following on from growth seen in 2013/14, improving trading conditions are expected to see the overall market grow by around 7% in 2015, primarily due to the strong performance in the powered access equipment sector.

Key non-domestic construction sectors providing good opportunities include infrastructure, offices and industrial construction, while rental demand in non-construction markets, such as event management and manufacturing RMI, have also been relatively buoyant. In overall terms, the rental sector is the key sector for access equipment, particularly in sub-sectors such as access towers and MEWPs, and this has been particularly relevant in recent years as hire companies replenished their stocks following disposal of equipment at the start of the economic and construction downturn.

Overall, powered and specialist equipment is estimated to account for over 55% of the market in 2014, with non-powered access equipment accounting for the remaining share.

“Product growth areas, as seen with the push arounds recently, will positively impact on the market - for instance there is a trend towards tracked spiders, booms and platforms at present” said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “Steady growth in construction output, coupled with any future health and safety legislation will also have positive implications for the market - as will price rises, which may occur as a result of raw material prices or other factors.”

The overall market outlook to 2018 is positive, based on increased confidence in the recovery of the UK economy and more importantly that it will be sustained. The access equipment market is forecast to grow by around 20% in the 2015-18 period, with powered equipment accounting for the majority share.

The ‘Access Equipment Market Report –UK 2014-2018 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.