Extending its total lifting solution for customers, Johnson Crane Hire now offers an extensive fleet of access platforms and telescopic handlers from its branch network around South Africa. According to Steve Robson of Johnson Crane Hire’s business development executive, the new units were put in place last year after the company concluded its supply agreement with a leading international OEM.

“Our expansion into the platform and telehandler business was primarily to enhance our offering to our many blue-chip customers, who over the years have tended to prefer working with one reliable partner for all their lifting and access requirements,” says Robson. “The synergy between these different types of equipment means that we can further assist customers in promoting productivity and safety on site.”

Johnson Crane Hire’s national footprint of 13 branches is therefore now equipped with its own access platforms and telehandlers, giving customers immediate access to them, and the branches continue to provide technical support as well.

The new fleet includes platforms with a working height from 12 to 28 metres and telehandlers with capacities from 2 ton to 9 ton.

Robson highlights that the new equipment has been very well received in a variety of sectors to date, from construction, mining and marine to petrochemical and power generation. With the company’s long history in serving the construction sector, this new range of equipment is allowing it to see more of the ‘inside’ of big commercial or retail developments, rather than just the big cranage work on the outside.

“Shopfitters in shopping malls are part of this new customer base for us, as well as lighting and electrical installation contractors,” says Robson.

“The added equipment range has also grown our opportunities in big warehouses, storage units and even in airports. We have even found considerable demand from the entertainment sector, where South Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for film-shoots.”