Lizzy Lift, Chicago, Ill., an equipment-rental company that serves customers nationwide, has bought its third PB 7448, a 48-in.-wide, battery-powered, scissor lift with a maximum platform height of 68 ft.

Lizzy Lift bought the high-reaching scissor lift from ReachMaster, Inc., North America's exclusive distributor of the products, which are manufactured in Germany by PB Lifttechnik.

ReachMaster unveiled the first PB 7448 at ConExpo 2014 and sold the first two in North America to Lizzy Lift at the show. Those lifts were delivered in September 2014.

The PB 7448 is an advanced electric scissor lift that stands only 4 ft. wide, yet can reach 68 ft. of platform height (74 ft. of working height). 

Lizzy Lift reports that its first two PB lifts have remained in high utilization with long-term rentals ever since they were delivered. The high usage has led the company to add a third PB 7448 to its fleet just a year later.

Anne Mondlock, rental manager at Lizzy Lift, said the high-reaching scissor lifts rent primarily to existing rack-installation customers, but that Lizzy Lift  receives a high volume of inquiries from other kinds of users, since Lizzy Lift is the only company in North America that currently has the tall, narrow lifts.

ReachMaster representative Stephanie Gunther says that the PB 7448 is battery driven and features well-thought-out details that give excellent usability. Those details include compact design, a tight turning radius, proportional steering, and error-checking diagnosis.

Some of its other features include a weight sensor/control for the platform and scissor system, dual controls (platform control box plus ground controls), and a highly advanced diagnostic system.

Jen DuBose, Lizzy Lift president, said, "In our opinion, the PB Lift is the next "big thing" in industrial maintenance and equipment installation applications.” DuBose says that adding a third unit will let the company serve more customers who seek high reach in a narrow footprint.

ReachMaster debuted the79-ft. platform height BlueLift B85 at the Tree Care Industry Association's recent TCI Expo in Pittsburgh, Pa.

ReachMaster, North America's exclusive importer of BlueLift products, says the new B85 is the only compact lift in the United States powered by a combination of a lithium battery and a gas engine, making it the only true hybrid machine in its class.

With a platform height of 79 ft. and a working height of 85 ft., the B85 is the tallest BlueLift model, surpassing the B72 by 13 ft.

Measuring just 3'2" wide, 6'6" tall, and 17'0" long when stowed for travel with the platform removed, the BlueLift B85 is far and away the most compact lift in its class.

The B85 shares the same new revolutionary technology introduced this year on all BlueLift products, including: innovative electro-hydraulic system that lets a user operate two functions independently at the same time; improved efficiency; the convenience of one controller fits all, and many more.

The system simplifies reduces the number of control circuits, increases power, and lets a user dial in functions with fully proportional control. It also makes operation smooth, precise, and fast, so it is ideal for rental, tree care, building maintenance, window cleaning, and many other applications.

The double-stacked articulating lower boom, four-section telescopic upper boom, and articulating jib deliver up to 79 ft.of platform height, 47'10" of horizontal reach, and 550-lb. unrestricted platform capacity from a machine that weighs just 7,600 lbs.

The B85's key features include multi-position outriggers, auto-leveling, auto centering of the turret, and a two-speed drive system. The standard B85 is powered by a 15-hp Honda gasoline engine and an electric motor, giving unlimited use of the platform both indoors and out. The lift can be also be ordered with a single-cylinder diesel engine and/or lithium-ion battery pack, or the with a hybrid the combines batteries and a combustion engine.

The new system, coupled with BlueLift’s lithium hybrid technology "will revolutionize how the industry defines the latest generations of compact lifts," said Stephanie Gunther, ReachMaster's key-account sales manager. "By improving the operator interface significantly, these hugely versatile stalwarts of the powered access world have become more accessible, safe and simple to use.”

Pinnacle Tree Company, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, purchased the first BlueLift B85 right off the show floor at the Tree Care Industry Association's TCI Expo in mid November.

The new model joins the highly successful B72 that Pinnacle has been running since the beginning of the year. Pinnacle Tree Care owner Greg Templeman, said: “We have been working with the ReachMaster team for a long time. We are very happy with our BlueLift B72, and now we are really impressed with the new B85."

Templeman added, "It has the superb performance and build quality we have come to expect from a BlueLift product. This is a great addition to our range. It will be welcomed by our operators, many of whom are already familiar with BlueLift booms and confident in their operation. It’s very easy and intuitive to use.”

ReachMaster President Ebbe Christensen said that during the show ReachMaster also received a number of requests for other BlueLift AWPs, including the most popular B72, as well as interest in the new B85.

Ruthmann GmbH and ReachMaster Inc. have teamed up to bring North America a new 108-ft. working-height (102-ft. platform height) aerial lift that mounts on a non-CDL truck chassis.

Read the exclusive story in the March-April Lift and Access.

The companies will launch the Ruthmann Eagle T-108 A in booth G2794 at the ConExpo-Con/Agg trade show in Las Vegas, Nev., March 7-11.

The Ruthmann Eagle T-108 A is aimed at the 100+ ft. market for professionals and can be driven with a standard American driver’s license, as the unit is below the CDL requirements with a total weight of only 24,900 lbs.

The new unit offers a vertical work height of 108 ft. and 69 horizontal reach with a 700 lbs. basket capacity. The lift system – which is taken from Ruthmann’s well-known and award winning “Steiger” line-up - is a 108-ft. straight telescopic boom topped by a jib.

The multi-beveled boom profile provides incredible strength and stability, combined with Ruthmann’s highly applauded Ruthmann Cockpit. An innovative operational control system with strong emphasis on intuitive operation and an informative full-color display panel, guiding the operator through every step of safe operation.

The lift system is shipped complete from Germany to ReachMaster Inc., in Texas, where it is mounted on the well-proven Ford F650 chassis, powered by a 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

This unit is the first in a series of sub-CDL units planned for the market under the Eagle name. As is common practice for ReachMaster Inc. as an exclusive specialty lift distributor, the products are market und their own brand name rather than a ReachMaster designation.

While the Ruthmann Eagle is a new product and venture, it is backed by Ruthmann GmbH’s extensive history and experience as one of Europe’s premier manufacturers for truck-mounted aerials.

Rolf Kulawik, Managing Director of Ruthmann GmbH: “We have been active on the U.S. market for some years through our cooperation with Time Mfg. (Waco, TX) on our taller units 125 ft. and above and that remains in place with no changes. However, it has also allowed us exposure to the market segment for smaller units that could be driven without CDL, reflecting opportunities similar to those we have seen in Europe, where the use of smaller truck-mounted lift has made a huge difference for professionals and the rental industry.”

Time Mfg. opted to focus on the taller units, prompting Ruthmann GmbH to look for another partnership for the smaller models, and ReachMaster Inc. was selected for that role.

Added Kulawik: “We have known ReachMaster Inc. for several years, and even before we acquired Bluelift SpA (now Ruthmann Italia) which is also distributed in North America by ReachMaster, Inc. In addition, Time Mfg. and ReachMaster, Inc. have also known each other well for years, and both being Texan companies they speak the same language!”

Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster Inc., said: “We are very excited about this opportunity to join forces with a manufacturer of Ruthmann’s caliber and magnitude. In the past, we have taken on the role of pioneering new product categories, in particular from Europe, and this falls well within our focus on niche products. As often is the case, habit is the strongest obstacle to innovation, but we believe that once the market sees the benefits of a mobile unit of this size and quality that can be operated with a standard driver’s license, it will spark interest in the segment”

Just shy of 33 ft. long, the unit is more compact than other 100+ ft. truck mounted lifts, and easier to operate. In addition to the obvious advantage of eliminating the need for CDL, the operational cost is also lower as their will be no DOT administration and insurance will be less as it from a liability point of view is rated as a big pick-up truck.

Added Christensen: “We see opportunities for the unit in several market segments, from cell phone tower maintenance over wind power (wing tip repairs), to more traditional applications like window cleaning, building maintenance and tree care. And of course, the rental industry should take special interest in this concept as it can lower logistic costs dramatically and represent a new revenue source. Opposite a boom lift, the truck - as a

mobile unit - can drive to and from sites under its own steam, and you eliminate costly and time consuming deliveries, both to the benefit of the rental companies and their customers.”

ReachMaster, Inc. is now a Certified IPAF Training Center
and launches the new training product at ARA’s (American
Association) Rental Show in Orlando Feb 27, 2017
ReachMaster, Inc. adds yet another activity to its range of products by
becoming a certified and approved IPAF Training Center.
Kingwood, February 23, 2017
ReachMaster, Inc., Kingwood (Houston), Texas, is one of the latest official IPAF training centers in North America.

IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) is a global not-for-profit members' organization that represents the interest
of manufacturers, distributors, users, rental, and training companies involved in the powered access industry.

IPAF promotes the safe and effective use of powered access worldwide. The organization is headquartered in the UK, but operates and maintains a North American office with full
time staff to promote IPAF and its offerings.

Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster, said, “We have been an active member of IPAF for several years, and I have personally served – and still serve – on the organization’s North American Regional Council. So, it was a natural next step to become an official training center. Given our niche oriented products, we have always had a high focus on safety by offering operational training on all our brands, and being able to now also offer certified IPAF training only adds to those efforts.”

IPAF provides the PAL (Powered Access License) Card to those who successfully complete the training, which is offered in seven lift categories. The PAL card is the most widely held and recognized proof of training for aerial lift operators, and is valid for five years. It shows the lift category that the operator has been trained in, as well as a photo ID.

Said Christensen: “The PAL card concept is very common in Europe, and growing rapidly in North America, and we hope we can do our part locally and wherever we sell our equipment to increase the number of cards issued. In today’s world, where we
thankfully see very well-manufactured equipment, the most important single element to further increase operational safety of aerial lifts is proper training.”

ReachMaster Inc. is launching the new activity at the upcoming American Rental Association’s “Rental Show “in Orlando Feb 27-Mar 1, 2017, following the official opening of the training center on Feb 16, 2017, where CEO & Managing Director of
IPAF, Tim Whiteman, was in Texas to hand over the official approval plaque.

Christensen concludes: “We couldn’t think of a better opportunity than the Rental Show to launch this new product and activity, given the many lift professionals that will attend this event. No industry is more exposed to operational lift safety issues than the rental
industry, so we obviously want to let the players know that ReachMaster Inc. is now one of more than 30 active trainings in North America that can offer what we consider the best aerial lift training in the world.”

After more than three years of ReachMaster Inc. being the exclusive distributors of Dinolift aerial lifts in North America, ReachMaster, Inc. and Finnish manufacturer Dinolift have mutually decided to terminate their current agreement, effective December 31, 2017.

Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster explained: “When we signed on with Dinolift
in 2014, both parties knew it would be an experiment. None of Dinolift’s products were
known in the market, either from a name or a segment point of view.”

Ebbe Christensen added that although moderate success has been achieved with Dinolift’s
self-propelled, outrigger-supported, RXT series boom lifts and track-mounted XTC series, the overall result hasn't reached the market penetration both companies had hoped for.

Karin Nars, sales and marketing director for Dinolift, said that “Despite a very close
cooperation between us, neither of us believes the results we both want can be achieved
in the near future under the current agreement, and as such we both respect the priorities
that prevail in our respective companies.”

Both Ebbe Christensen and Karin Nars note that the companies are parting in an
absolutely friendly and professional manner, and underline that there will be no changes
in parts supply or technical support for sold units, which will continue to be supported by
both ReachMaster. Inc. and Dinolift.

ReachMaster Inc. strengthened its sales organization by adding a new regional sales manager and partnering with Sun Marketing and its eight sales representatives. 

Effective May 1, Dustin Viertel took up the new regional sales manager position with primary responsibility for sales in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas and overall sales in the central United States. 

Viertel comes with a background as construction manager at Bluegreen Southwest as well as sales representative for Sunbelt Rentals in Texas. He will be located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 

“We are very pleased to welcome Dustin onboard to our team,” said Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster, located in the suburban Houston area. “Dustin has extensive knowledge of construction and maintenance equipment, as well as great experience from the rental sector, which is exactly what we need. While our traditional image as a premier provider of atrium lifts remains strong, we have seen a development in our product lines that expands beyond indoor building maintenance. Both our Falcon and Bluelift lines have increased their application portfolio with new units, and our newer product lines like the Bibi track-based scissor lift and our Ruthmann Eagle truck mounted lines continue to grow well beyond our image as strictly a provider of atrium lifts.”

Earlier this year, ReachMaster entered into an agreement with the Sun Marketing group and its eight sales reps, covering the southeast continental United States. 

“Sun Marketing, headed up by Bill Benjamin in]Florida represents decades of aerial lift equipment sales experience, thanks to their former representation of Nifty Lift and Haulotte,” Christensen said. “At a time where we need more feet on the ground than ever, Sun Marketing is a great addition to our sales network as our lines demand detailed technical and application understanding. Bill and his team are highly respected throughout the entire Southeast states and fit very well into our sales network.”

ReachMaster is now offering anti-entrapment safety systems on all their Falcon and Bluelift compact aerial lift models.

While many scissor and boom lift manufacturers have introduced these systems on their models, the Houston-based company is claiming to be the first to do so in North America for the compact lift segment.

“We have witnessed how these systems saves lives and how Europe, and in particular the UK, has adapted to these new systems on a larger scale,” said Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) had a major impact on the development and integration of the systems in the U.K., and Christensen said the organization was instrumental in bringing the systems to North America.

“With our involvement in IPAF, it has been a natural priority for us to add these safety features also to the compact segment,” said Christensen, who was recently elected as chairman for IPAF’s North American Regional Council.

The anti-entrapment safety system has an activation bar across the control panel. If it’s pushed down by the body of the operator, the unit will immediately stop its movement and move in the opposite direction of its last operator input. At the same time, an alarm will sound at the ground controls, alerting people on the ground that there is a critical situation.

If the entrapment situation rectifies itself by the automatic reverse movement and the operator is safe and unhurt, the unit will reset and the operational functions will resume so that the operator can lower himself to the ground. If the operator is incapacitated or hurt and continues to lean on the bar, the unit will remain nonfunctional, only allowing the crew on the ground to lower the units through the emergency lowering systems.

The systems will be offered as an optional feature the for Falcon and Bluelift models.

“We have decided that the customers should make that decision initially, so we will not offer it as standard, but rather a highly recommended option,” said Tom McKendree, national sales manager for ReachMaster.

However, McKendree says he believes that the system is likely to become standard equipment in the future.

ReachMaster will be offering the system for new units and also as after-market kits that can be applied to most existing models.

German aerial work platform manufacturer Ruthmann is expanding its presence in North America.

The company has established its own subsidiary Ruthmann North America L.P. and plans to continue to develop its presence in the North American market along with its two long-standing sales and service partners, Time Manufacturing and ReachMaster Inc.

Uwe Strotmann, general director of sales at Ruthmann GmbH & Co. KG, has been appointed president of the new company with Rolf Kulawik, managing director at Ruthmann GmbH & Co. KG, named as executive vice president, both based in Germany.

Tom Goyer will take up a new position as vice president of sales and market development in North America and daily manager of the new company. Goyer is based in Tampa, Florida, and will conduct his nationwide activities from there. He brings with him extensive experience in the truck-mounted powered access industry and will be responsible for the strategic development of the Ruthmann truck mounted products in North America.

Kulawik says one of the reasons for this new initiative is to be able to better service their customers.

“With this step we want to provide more support and focus to our sales and service partners by being closer to the customers,” Kulawik said. “Tom [Goyer] knows the North American market for truck mounted aerial working platforms like the back of his hand and is therefore the ideal candidate for this new important position.”

Time Manufacturing in Waco, Texas, has been Ruthmann’s long-time partner for larger truck-mounted aerial work platforms, and together the two companies have developed the U.S. market for the well-known Ruthmann Steiger products. A key element has been the process of adapting the German-made lifts to conform with ANSI standards. The SKYBIRD 215l is a result of these efforts and sets a new benchmark in North America for this category.

ReachMaster Inc. in Houston has served as the exclusive importer and distributor for the past eight years in North America of the Ruthmann Bluelift line of compact track-based lifts from Italy, and the company will continue to do so.

Last year, ReachMaster expanded its portfolio of specialty lifts to also include the Ruthmann Eagle T108A, the first truck-mounted 108-ft. lift in the United States that can be driven without commercial driver’s license.

“The joint development between our companies of the Eagle mid-range truck mounted line has shown there is a niche market for this type of product,” said Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster, Inc. “We welcome Tom [Goyer] onboard as another great example of Ruthmann’s commitment to the market. I have known Tom for years, and I know he will be a great asset for us in developing this segment of the truck-mounted market together.”

Strotmann said that there are plans to add new models to expand the Eagle line, which will continue to be promoted both at upcoming trade shows and ongoing roadshows.

Goyer said he is looking forward to his new opportunities and concludes.

“The Ruthmann products fit perfectly in the North American market place,” Goyer said. “Together with our partners, we look forward to offering the best of everything in one, coordinated package: high performance, top quality, and superb service and customer support.   This is what the North American market has been waiting for, and I am very excited to be a part of it.”

For further information, please visit www.ruthmann.us.

ReachMaster Inc. announced they will end their sales representation agreement with NACH Marketing, parting ways after more than 15 years of cooperation.

NACH Marketing has served as ReachMaster’s exclusive sales representation group in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii, and it represents a number of other equipment manufacturers in those markets.

Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster, explained that changes throughout the market and company strategies have prompted the decision.

“We have had a great run with NACH Marketing, its president, Mr. Craig Yuhas, and his team for many years; however, as a combination of many factors, it was not possible to continue the relationship at a level that made good business sense to either party,” Christensen said.

“I want to thank NACH Marketing for all their great efforts over the years, and we wish them good luck with their other product lines” he continued.

As for future sales representation, Christensen explained that there will be no day-to-day changes for the customers.

“What I can say at this point is that we intend to strengthen our sale representation on a more direct basis, as we see some great opportunities in the market areas," he said.

For more information, visit reachmaster.com. 

The ReachMaster Bluelift B35-EB is designed specifically to address applications in shopping malls, airports, hospitals, and museum locations, or any location where operator needs to go up, over, and out from a handrail and then descend to work below level. The compact lift does this through an elevator system, mounted to the jib. Once an operator swings the unit out over a handrail, the jib is lowered to the vertical position, creating a system that runs along the jib like an extension and elevator for the basket. 

ReachMaster added Tony Trainer as regional sales manager, as well as four new sales representatives. 

Trainer, who previously worked as a key account manager at Teupen North America for the past five years, will handle accounts in the tree care sector, as well as overall sales in the Southeast. Trainer is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

 “We are very pleased to welcome Tony onboard to our team,” said Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster. “Tony brings extensive knowledge and experience from the compact lift segment of the market and has a proven track record for building strong customer relationships. Our field of work is very niche oriented as a premier provider of specialty lifts, so Tony’s background will fit very well into our portfolio of equipment.” 

Effective January 2020, ReachMaster is also partnering with Strategix Sales Corp. for sales representation primarily with ReachMaster’s line of Winlet Vacuum Glass handling equipment in Florida, Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. 

”Steve Cavayero and his team at Stategix represent a great opportunity for us to expand our activities in the above markets and utilize the many years of experience his team has built,” Christensen said. “While Strategix is particularly strong on the material handling side, they will also be able to introduce and support our other product lines in the markets and work with current partners.” 

For more information, visit www.reachmaster.com.

While most exhibitors are continuing with their plans, some have decided to pull out of the 2020 ConExpo-Con/Agg and co-located IFPE in Las Vegas March 10-14, as concerns about COVID-19, commonly known as the new coronavirus, continue to grow.

Access and material handling industry exhibitors are weighing in on their plans for the show.

As of March 9, the Southern Nevada Health District had announced two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Clark County residents.

Officials from AEM, organizers of the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Festival Grounds, have said they are closely monitoring protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. They are adding extra hand sanitizers, increasing cleaning, and encouraging a “no handshake” policy at the show, which they are estimating will draw more than 130,000 attendees.

Companies in addition to those listed below that have decided not to exhibit or attend the co-located shows include Platform Basket, Miller, BASF, Michelin, Stanley Infrastructure, Allison Transmission, Mack Trucks, Parker Hannifin, Eaton, Danfoss, Sun Hydraulics, Ram Mounts, and Bosch Rexroth.

At IFPE, over 25% of the exhibitor space has been formally canceled to date, meaning written cancellation notice was received. Show officials say they have resold about 2% of their total space. But the announced cancellations reflect a higher percentage. The largest booths where attendees enter the South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center are now empty due to cancellations.

March 7

Palmer Johnson decided to not attend the show and canceled its customer event.

“Palmer Johnson has canceled our BeerHaus Customer Appreciation Happy Hour on Tuesday, March 10, and will not be in attendance at ConExpo-Con/Agg,” said Craig Parsons, CEO. “The safety of our employees and their families is our highest priority. We felt that it was in the best interest to reduce the risk of exposure for our team along with our customers and vendor partners. We look forward to connecting with everyone in the near future in other ways.

March 6

United Rentals, the largest rental equipment company in the world, confirmed its staff will no longer be attending the show. Company executives have also canceled their participation in education sessions. 

JLG Industries is changing its plans for the show, according to Jennifer Stiansen, director of marketing for the company. JLG announced that it has decided to eliminate all travel to and from the show for any staff located outside North America. The company is also cutting its show staff in half and is canceling its customer event.

“We have been watching the situation very closely since its outbreak in China," said Frank Nerenhausen, JLG president. "As the virus spreads, with a reported case in Las Vegas itself yesterday, we are initiating an abundance of proactive measures to keep our employees, customers, and the general public healthy and safe."

Dana Incorporated announced it was pulling out, releasing the following statement:

“The safety of our employees, customers, suppliers, and the public is our highest priority, which is why after careful consideration, and out of an abundance of caution, we made the difficult decision to withdraw our participation from the ConExpo exhibition in Las Vegas. The situation surrounding the novel COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve and we believe it is important to, where possible, reduce the risk of exposure for our team. We have made this decision as a precautionary measure but remain committed to the ConExpo-Con/Agg tradeshow and look forward to the next edition in 2023.”

March 5

Volvo Group announced all its business areas were withdrawing from ConExpo over the virus concerns. On March7, Volvo Construction Equipment said it had hired independent crews to staff its booth, one of the largest in the Festival Grounds at more than 60,000 sq. ft. where their equipment was already in the process of being set up when the company made the decision not to send its employees to the show.

Amber Reed, communications manager for Genie, a Terex brand, said as of March 5, Terex Corporation plans to participate. The company issued the following statement:

“As a global organization, Terex Corporation has manufacturing and support sites across the world, including China and several locations in Washington state. Terex Corporation is focused on keeping its 10,000 team members safe at all times and is taking stringent precautions to protect against COVID-19 coronavirus. Thankfully, to date (3/5/20) no Terex team member have [sic] been diagnosed with the virus. 

“Terex has issued a protocols checklist to all locations globally that outlines a number of safety precautions to be taken locally to protect team members from COVID-19. As a precaution at present, the company is not conducting business travel to or from China, Macao, Hong Kong, South Korea or Italy following an elevated travel alert from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States where Terex is headquartered."

Danita Jaipersaud, public relations manager for Skyjack, said the OEM still plans to exhibit, but they have had team members and customers decide not to travel to the show. 

"Safety is everyone's responsibility and the team that has elected to attend the show intends on taking precautions to protect themselves and our customers from the virus," Jaipersaud said. 

She said Skyjack has created health and safety awareness posters, which will be displayed throughout their booth.

Ebbe Christensen, president of ReachMaster and chairman of the International Powered Access Federation North American Regional Council, said as of March 5, the company plans to exhibit, but that the virus has altered some of the plans for the distributor’s manufacturer representatives.

“ReachMaster will maintain its intended participation at ConExpo as planned for now and based on the facts as we know them today,” Christensen said. “We will have some minor, but obvious changes in booth staff from Europe. As we represent products manufactured in Italy, all representatives from the factories that were scheduled to attend have made the voluntary and only responsible decision to not attend, even though they all live in areas of Italy that remains outside the epicenters of the COVID-19 cases.”

Christensen said ReachMaster will follow the “no handshake” policy, provide plenty of sanitizers, and keep proper distance when speaking to attendees.

“If I remotely felt that our participation in any form or shape would represent any elevated danger to our team members, or should new data surface that would support changes to our current plans, then we would of course reconsider our position,” Christensen said. “I hope the drop in attendance will be limited next week, and we will have a great show.”

Haulotte officials released a statement saying that the company is encouraging their teams to postpone business travel to "endangered regions whenever possible," and they are leaving the decision up to their employees on whether to attend trade shows. The company is still planning to exhibit at ConExpo.

Gary Weisman, vice president of Magni America, said Magni is still planning to exhibit at the show, though there could be possible disruptions for travel plans from representatives coming from Italy, where the company is headquartered.

Stay with www.liftandaccess.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for updates on this story and other 2020 ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE news.

Falcon Lifts A/S, Odense, Denmark, has appointed USM ReRents, Elmhurst, Illinois, as exclusive distributor for its Falcon brand lifts in North America.

Falcon Lifts has produced and developed world-famous lifts that can pass through a standard single doorway and lift people to working heights to 100’ or pass through a double doorway and reach heights to 170’.

The company’s constant focus on product development and safety makes Falcon Lifts’ product range a market leader with unique designs and ground-breaking features.

USM ReRents’ distributor agreement includes the sale of Falcon Lifts and after-sale support, such as spare parts, service, and maintenance throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Moreover, Falcon and USM ReRents will work closely together on strategic projects and operations in North America, enabling U.S. customers to rely on both Falcon’s 40 years of manufacturing experience and USM ReRents’ local knowledge and proximity.

Founded in 1990 USM ReRents has established itself as a premier re-rental partner to more than  1,000 rental customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Since the beginning, USM ReRents has had a strategic focus on partnering with manufacturers that offers differentiated products and services in the marketplace.

Falcon Lifts thus serves as a perfect match for USM ReRents by using unique engineering, superior safety designs, and time-saving attributes that afford equipment owners outstanding return on investment.

In addition, Falcon Lifts is renowned for outstanding quality, post-sale support, and focus on the customer. “For over 30 years, USM ReRents has represented to their rental customers some of the most outstanding products and manufactures in the world,” said Tom Saxelby, vice president of sales for USM. “Now we proudly add Falcon Lifts to this distinguished list.”

According to Thyge Mikkelsen, CEO of Falcon Lifts, the exclusive distributor agreement with USM ReRents follows the strategic focus of Falcon Lifts to strengthen representation with local knowhow and support availability on the North American Market.

Further, Thyge Mikkelsen underscored that USM ReRents is a perfect match for Falcon Lifts in North America. “We are excited about our new partnership and looking forward to start our cooperation with such a well-esteemed partner in North America,” Mikkelsen said. “With the strong USM team, we see a bright future for our state-of-the-art Falcon Spider Lifts across the North American markets.”

Mikkelsen also thanked Falcon’s original North American distributor, ReachMaster Inc., for many years of close corporation. Reachmaster gave up the Falcon distributorship after being bought by aerial lift manufacturer Ruthmann GmbH, headquartered in Gescher-Hochmoor, Germany. ReachMaster has now become Ruthmann North America LP.

Paul Miller, director of marketing at USM ReRents, said that the Falcon offers several advantages, including a unique double-jib boom that delivers amazing up-and-over reach, a unique double-track system that reduces ground bearing pressure and delivers improved stability during travel, versatile outrigger positions for setup in tight or oddly shaped spaces, and optional telematics. He also pointed out that Falcon lifts can save lots of time and cost compared to using scaffolding.

In keeping with its standard business practice, USM ReRents will rent the Falcon lifts only to rental companies. “We never compete with our customers,” said Miller.

Responsive service support for end users will be provided largely by the rental companies that rent them, but will be backed by USM ReRent’s experienced, factory-trained experts in the company’s Gallatin, Tennessee, service center.

Left Photo: Falcon CEO Thyge Mikkelsen (left) and Sales Director Brian Falck Schmidt in one of USM ReRents’ new Falcon lifts.

Right Photo: Four new Falcon Lifts decorated with USM ReRent livery awaiting shipment.