Without help from powered access supplier, Nationwide, electrical engineering company, Manstal, believes it would never have met its deadline for completing the new Homebase store in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. To ensure that its team of site engineers had fast access to install internal electrics throughout the building, the Birmingham-based company turned to Nationwide to supply it with 12 aerial work platforms.

During a five-week period the engineers used a selection of different machines. These included the ten metre working height Upright X26 and the 11.6-metre working height Genie S32 scissor lifts - both electric powered to enable them to be used inside the building - and the Genie 30N articulated Boom, which has a working height of 11.1 metres and a very useful 6.4-metre outreach.

According to Tony Short, Works Contracts Manager at Manstal, Nationwide is now the company's preferred supplier of powered access because of its commitment to customer service and the breadth and quality of its product offering.

"Having a countrywide network of depots is a major plus in Nationwide's favour," he says. "The company provides a consistently high of level technical and applications support and its advisory service ensures that we always use the most appropriate piece of equipment." He continues: "Without the Nationwide machines we could not have completed the Homebase job in such a tight timescale.

The line-up of Nationwide equipment at the Market Harborough Homebase contract meant that Manstal's engineers were able to move quickly and safely from one elevated workplace to another. As well as offering a far safer and more versatile alternative to access towers, scaffolding or ladders that necessitate workers climbing up and down carrying tools and materials, Nationwide's powered access solutions enabled both to be safely secured within the confines of the platform.

Nationwide is part of the publicly-quoted Lavendon Group Plc and is headquartered in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Its hire fleet is twice the size of its nearest UK competitor and all of the company's depots comply with Nationwide's ISO 9002 accreditation. The Group is also the market leader in European powered access, trading under the name Zooom in Germany, France, Spain and Austria.

END

April 2002 Nat2.033a