Friday quiz: Access equipment fatalities | Manitou’s new battery joint venture | Who is new Nixon Hire CEO?
1) By what percentage did fatal and major incidents involving powered access equipment decrease in 2024, according to IPAF’s Global Safety Report? 15% 26% 12% 2) Where will Manitou and Hangcha’s new lithium-ion battery joint venture be established? Metz, in northeastern France Le Mans, in Sarthe, France Toulouse, in southern France 3) What is the […]
US Fed holds rates steady as construction prices rise
The decision, announced following the Federal Open Market Committee’s latest meeting, was expected by most analysts. The announcement involved some historic intrigue, however, as two Fed governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, dissented in favour of lowering rates; a rare move that suggests some division among officials of the central bank. In its statement, the […]
New CEO for Opifex-Synergy in US
Opifex-Synergy, the major US rental business in the Southern states of the US, has appointed Joseph ‘Jay’ Vaughn III as its CEO. Vaughn was the CEO and co-founder of Texas-based Opifex. His appointment follows the merger last year of Opifex and Florida-based Synergy Equipment. He succeeds Synergy founder J C Mas, who will become chairman […]
Capex drop hits Genie quarterly revenues
Lower than expected capital expenditure from customers has resulted in a 17% drop in net sales for Genie in the second quarter of the year. Sales at Terex Corp’s Aerials division stood at $607 million, representing a $125 million fall year-over-year as rental customers focused primarily on replaceing their fleets. Genie’s GTH-1044 The lower than […]
Spreading the load: How cranes giant Palfinger wants to take its access platform business to the next level
Palfinger, the Austrian engineering group is known around the world for its cranes. The Salzburg-based manufacturer, founded in 1932, produces more than 100 models of truck-mounted articulated loader cranes and is easily considered the market leader in the segment. Yet, despite this specialism, Palfinger, which also produces marine lifting solutions and truck-mounted forklifts, is looking […]
Herc issues first results since H&E acquisition
Herc Rentals has reported its first quarterly results since finalising the acquisition of H&E Equipment at the start of June, with revenues for the three months to 30 June up 18.2% to US$1 billion and EBITDA profits up 12.8% to $406 million. These figures include one month of contributions from H&E, but pro forma revenues […]
United Rentals raises full-year guidance
United Rentals has raised its full-year guidance for 2025, following what it described as solid second-quarter results. The company cited continued growth across both its general rentals and specialty businesses as key drivers of performance. For the three months to June 30, total revenue rose to $3.943 billion, including $3.415 billion in rental revenue which […]
Ritchie Bros. acquires J.M. Wood
Ritchie Bros. has completed its acquisition of J.M. Wood Auction. The deal will grow the companies’ offerings to customers in Alabama and adjacent states in the US. “Both Ritchie Bros. and J.M. Wood have spent decades building trust through integrity, relationships and a deep understanding of customers’ businesses,” said Jim Kessler, Chief Executive Officer of […]
MEC centre of excellence to drive next generation products
MEC Aerial Work Platforms has opened a new Engineering Center of Excellence. The cutting-edge facility, located at MEC’s headquarters and factory in Kerman, California, features advanced CAD design technology, modern communication and meeting spaces, specialized testing equipment, and a clean-room R&D lab. The two-story, 8,000 square foot center is designed to foster creativity and collaboration […]
Home Depot expands product distribution with $5.5bn deal
The Home Depot in the US is to acquire building products distributor GMS Inc for US$5.5 billion, including net debt. The deal is being made through Home Depot’s trade subsidiary SRS Distribution and will further expand its position supplying building products to professional customers. SRS, which was acquired by Home Depot in 2024, has 800 […]