Snorkel teams up with PopUp to bring low-level access to market

At ARA's The Rental Show Snorkel announced that it is working with UK manufacturer of push around scissors, Pop-Up Products, to bring a range of low-level access products to the market.

Snorkel International will be entering the US compact low-level work platform market with products developed and marketed under the Pop-Up brand. Working with Pop-Up Products, Snorkel and its European operation, UpRight, intend to create a global brand in low-level access solutions.

The company defines low-level access as aerial work platforms aimed at the mass market, typically lightweight (well under 680 kg (1500 lbs)) and low cost (typically $4000 - $10000) and either push-around or self propelled.

Darren Kell, CEO of the Tanfield Group, owner of Snorkel International, said: "Pop-Up is a name recognised for its market experience, product knowledge and a proven track record in innovation in low-level personal access and is the ideal brand under which to market these personal access products worldwide.

"By leveraging Snorkel's expertise in product development, manufacturing and sales and distribution in the US we can develop Pop-Up to be the dominant force in low level, personal access and take maximum advantage of our fast track product development programme."

Nigel Woodger, managing director of Pop-Up Products, said, "Working with Snorkel is a match made in heaven for us. Pop-Up is the undisputed market leader in the UK and by leveraging Snorkel's expertise in US sales and distribution, we can take jointly-developed products into North America and be the dominant force in low-level, personal access."

Snorkel is exhibiting a selection of concept low-level access machines to gauge customer feedback. This includes a range of lightweight push around scissor lifts with platform heights of 6, 8 and 10 feet, a self-propelled mini-scissor lift with a platform height of 10ft; a cost-competitive, 26ft platform height, push-around mast lift; and a self-propelled mast lift with a platform height of 20ft.

George Fitchett, vice-president of sales in North America for Snorkel, said, "Major contractors and rental companies are increasingly aware of the efficiency and cost benefits delivered by low level, personal access solutions.

"Personal access products are a real success with equipment rental companies in Europe, and provide an ideal opportunity for growth in our rental industry. By marketing these products under the Pop-Up brand, Snorkel will provide an easily recognizable range of products that will meet the anticipated strong demand in North America"

Low-level access products have compact dimensions and are used for interior construction and maintenance applications. The Pop-Up range will be targeted at "mom-and-pop" family-owned rental companies, along with direct sales to contractors and end users who need to work safely at lower heights.