35
JULY-AUGUST 2014
ACCESS, LIFT & HANDLERS
APEX REVIEW
The response from exhibitors
at the access-focused show
was overwhelmingly positive
as their customers responded
to improving worldwide
market conditions.
Euan
Youdale
and
Lindsey Anderson
report from the show.
great and productive show,” said Brad Boehler,
president of Skyjack. The company debuted its
SJ 6832 RTE electric rough-terrain scissor lift to
the European market, which was introduced to
North America earlier this year.
Another manufacturer, Snorkel, echoed the
optimistic mood. Snorkel’s CEO, Darren Kell,
said APEX had “exceeded all expectations…
Snorkel had a busy three days.”
Stephan Kulawik, managing director at
Palfinger Platforms, said, “During the exhibition
we sold a lot of new machines to existing
and new customers.” Kulawik added that the
new Amsterdam location (APEX moved from
Maastricht to accommodate more exhibitors)
had been a success.
“It is a popular city, with good infrastructure
and the exhibition center is bigger,” Kulawik
said.
Manufacturers showing their products at APEX
were hoping the strong attendance at their
stands would result in a global upturn, much like
the one in North America that had been building
up ahead of ConExpo in Las Vegas in March.
However, such growth across Europe is
unlikely in the near future, particularly in the
southern countries like Spain and Italy. There are
some hot spots, however, notably the UK. One
of the European countries set to remain in the
doldrums for years to come is Italy. Therefore,
manufacturers based in the country have been
focusing heavily on export markets. A significant
number of them were at APEX, proving how
important Italy still is to the global industry – in
total there were 28 Italian exhibitors.
Of course, many visitors were strolling the
aisles in search of new products, and APEX
delivered on all fronts.
>
On Genie’s stand was its brand new 12 m
working height all electric Z-33/18 boom.
While the machine made its debut for European
markets, and will be produced in Italy, it will
eventually be a globally available unit by the
second quarter of 2015.
“This is a more rentable machine than a
tracked unit,” said Carlo Forini, director of
business development and management for
Genie in EMEAR. “It can directly compete with
spiders.”
Joe George, Terex AWP’s vice president of
global sales and customer service, explained
that in the past, Genie platform designs had
filtered through from the U.S. to Europe, but
the Z-33/18 was an example of how European
requirements are now being taken on in North
America.
APEX delivers
APEX snagged 4,400
attendees during its
run June 24-26 in
Amsterdam.
A
ttendees and exhibitors filled the aisles
of APEX with a positive vibe June 24-26
in Amsterdam at the RAI Exhibition
Center. More than 4,400 people attended the
international aerial work platform show – with
the numbers rising to 5,500 when visitors of
the co-located International Rental Exhibition
(IRE) were included. Visitors registered for either
show had access to both exhibitions.
“It’s been a very positive show and our
customers have been very enthusiastic,” said
Richard Puglia, JLG business development and
marketing director EAME. “There is optimism in
the market and a lot of interest.”
The event proved to be a good barometer
for the overall state of the access industry and
how it is shaping new products. “It’s been a
Manitou’s president, Michel Denis,
stands in front of the company’s new
260 TJ at the show.
Genie’s new Z-33/18 at APEX.
