Nationwide Platforms takes tracked boom division national after further investment

Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s largest powered access specialist, has more than tripled its fleet of tracked boom lifts after taking delivery of a further 64 machines. Comprised of 56 Hinowa and eight large Teupen tracked boom lifts, the investment ensures its customers have unrivalled access to one of the largest and youngest fleets of tracked boom lifts throughout the UK.

Available for hire with either an operator or on a self-operated basis, Nationwide Platforms will now be able to provide to customers throughout the UK, with 100 tracked boom lifts based in Luton, Warrington, Edinburgh and Bristol. 

The new Hinowa Performance IIIS tracked boom lifts, which join a further 36 Hinowa lifts purchased in 2016, offer working heights of 15.4, 17, 20 and 25.7 metres. Available with either a diesel engine or Lithium-Ion battery pack, features include 230kg unrestricted platform capacities, compact dimensions and the ability to pass through standard single and double doorways.

Considerably lighter than conventional access platforms with similar working heights, low ground bearing pressures and non-marking tracks make them well suited to working inside enclosed spaces as well as on sensitive flooring such as in churches, museums and shopping centres. They are also equally equipped to traverse rough or soft terrain, making them ideal for arborist, telecoms or utility companies which might need to access remote areas.

This investment not only ensures Nationwide Platforms has the largest fleet of Hinowa tracked boom lifts in the UK but also the largest fleet powered by Lithium-Ion battery technology. Eliminating the need for a combustion engine or electric cables, Lithium-Ion technology provides quiet and emission free operation and can be fully charged in four hours and to 80% in just two hours. The system also provides a full day’s use from a single charge whilst achieving the same speeds and performance as its diesel counterpart.

Peter Douglas, Nationwide Platforms Operations Director and Head of the company’s Specialist Division, said: “We have experienced fantastic success since launching our Tracked Boom division last year. Originally covering the South East region with 36 machines based at our Luton depot, it was always the plan to expand the division to provide a national coverage and support for our customers this year.”

Nationwide Platforms has also extended the maximum working height of its tracked boom lift fleet with the inclusion of eight Teupen Leo31Ts. Widely considered ‘best in class’ by the industry, the new Teupens offer a working height of 31 metres, 250kg platform capacities and a maximum outreach of 17.7 metres. Designed with operator safety and functionality in mind, features include variable outrigger settings, wireless remote control, height and width adjustable tracks and home/memory capabilities. Its automatic levelling system can also overcome a height difference of 1.2 metres enabling customers to work in challenging environments, on a range of applications and in sectors which otherwise would not have been possible.

Craig Rooke, Teupen Sales Director UK & Ireland, said: “The new T-Series has amazingly surpassed the old series with many class leading features and with huge outreach and operator features similarly found only on truck mounts so to bring this technology in to tracked platforms our engineers have done a great job.”

“We always set out our priorities with machines we build to be machines an operator feels confident and comfortable with and of course include the very best in engineering and innovation. Having Nationwide Platforms place this significant order shows great commitment to us and their customers in the UK and it’s another endorsement for us and our products.”

Steve Couling, Managing Director of IAPS Group, which owns APS, added: “We are proud to be the largest supplier of tracked booms to Nationwide Platforms. The Hinowa fleet we delivered last year proved to be a great success in South-East England, so we’re delighted to be Nationwide Platforms’ supplier of choice once again as it rolls out tracked booms across the UK. Our national technical support network means that we have the infrastructure, personnel and expertise to stand behind Hinowa machines, wherever they are deployed in the UK and Ireland.”

To discover how tracked boom lifts can assist with your next working at height task, or to discuss any training needs or requirements, please call: 0844 381 4479.