Masonry Magazine June 2002 Page. 24
Mast Climbers Reach for the Sky
In the global marketplace, the various companies' products are found across borders and oceans.
For example, Canadian manufacturers Fraco and Hydro Mobile represent a clear majority of the platforms in North America. Together they account for more than 60 percent of the units in use in this market with Hydro Mobile accounting for nearly 50 percent itself. The two newer companies, Bennu and EZ Scaffold, are running hard to catch up. Last year, Bennu sold nearly 300 units, indicating a significant growth ahead for the market in general.
European brands like Hek, Alimak (recently combined as Intervect, a Swedish company), Scanclimbers from Finland, and Malmquist of Sweden are also present in North America but hold a much greater market share in Europe. Some producers, like Bennu, concentrate their efforts only in North America. Fraco, on the other hand, is expanding their operations into Europe and Asia. The world is every company's market, it seems.
Most manufacturers offer a vast range of products and some make multiple lines of products besides mast climbers such as material hoists, construction site elevators, etc.
The use of mast climbers is getting more and more common across all phases of the construction industry. In many instances, while not creating a "new market" as such, mast climbers are replacing other forms of scaffolding for a wide variety of tasks because of the gains in productivity and efficiency that they can generate.
As is the case with most heavy construction equipment, users generally have the option to either buy or rent the platform. Depending on the size of company and the tasks to be accomplished, it might be better to buy a platform than to rent it. The upside is the cost can be depreciated and, if the company does a large number of jobs using the equipment, the savings can usually be significant. This equipment generally, if maintained, has a very long usable life.
Studies show that renting is becoming a way for contractors to have their "cake" and save some money too. Most companies don't want to make big investments in equipment when they don't use it a lot or don't know the long-term economic situation. When they rent it, they also don't have to bother with maintenance and storage. "We have very large companies that always rent their platforms," says Yannick St-Pierre of the marketing department at Fraco. "This can often depend on the company's culture. Other MCWP companies are starting their own rental fleets, adding to their distributors network like we do."
Because of the strong competition, there are different types of MCWP available to answer various needs. Users usually have a choice between several different platforms, each of which can fulfill a job's requirements. This competition between manufacturers for the contractor's business is particularly true in the masonry industry. Vendors seek differentiators that will make them stand out in the crowd and some are intangible factors that represent an important source of competitive advantage.
One of these is offering better service in the quality and the coverage of the distribution network. Most manufacturers now offer, through their distribution network, extended services that feature elements such as availability of replacement parts within 24 hours, greater coverage in the warranty, and technical support by an internal team of draftsmen and engineers who can supply plans for setting-up the equipment, all of which is designed to make the customer happy with the choices of equipment for particular projects.
All manufacturers offer seminars or training. Thierry Lachapelle, marketing analyst at Hydro Mobile, explains, "Training classes are available on the installation, use and maintenance of all our equipment. Others offer similar programs. This training becomes important when you consider that various regulatory agencies and safety groups including OSHA-require a competent, trained person be present when a mast climbing work platform is installed, maneuvered or dismantled."
As Fraco's St-Pierre points out, "Such safety training becomes more important as many of today's jobsites are in the headlines. Accident and injuries will always bring a negative focus on the industry and we are all concerned about promoting and increasing the safety on the jobsite."
So, what is a mast climber?
The mast climbing work platform is made of steel and usually consists of modular work platform systems centered on an automated power unit (APU). They are characterized by:
* Heavy load capacity
* Faster installation times compared to other types of scaffolds and substitute products
* Fast elevation speeds
* Although the overseas units generally use rack and pinion technology for lifting, the four North American manufacturers are the exception to that rule. They use hydraulic cylinders.
If the needs of specialized contractors differ according to their occupation, it's the same situation in making the right choice of a work platform. The requirements of the various contractors that use work platforms are often a function of movement frequency, weight of the materials being used, space requirements, and height from the ground where the work is done.
Mason contractors, for example, value:
* Loading capacity
* Price
* Time to erect and start work
* Durability of the product