14.05.2007

Bluelift moves to SkyKing

Bluelift the Italian producer of high quality spider lift work platforms has appointed SkyKing as its UK distributor.

The company had originally been set up to run with Allan Access and informed us of this possibility at SAIE in October with it being confirmed in January by Allan Access.

However Allan ran into potential conflict with its other suppliers, Socage and to a much lesser extent Nifty, both of which produce compact tracked platforms – spider lifts.

This situation would also not have been ideal for Bluelift, especially with the knowledge that Socage is planning to extend its range of tracked access platforms over the next 18 months.
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The latest Bluelift the SA16 Compact

SkyKing, which until now has specialised on vehicle mounted lifts, has recently expanded its access division with the appointment of Ted Williams, previously managing director of Allen Drew with a great deal of experience in the access market.

The company has also taken on Martin Crowley who was previously with A-Plant Access.

SkyKing will exhibit Bluelift machines on its stand at SED next week.

Vertikal Comment

This story reflects the challenges of finding a good UK distributor, as with busses there appear to be none in sight then along come two, one behind the other.

This move before it got started from Allan Access to SkyKing makes sense for all involved. Allan would certainly have run into difficulties and conflicts with its other suppliers if Blue lift sales took off, particularly during a down cycle.

In the meantime Bluelift would inevitably have felt vulnerable to pressure on Allan from Socage which supplies Allan with its ‘bread & Butter’ truck mount line.

SkyKing will benefit from adding a high quality product line in a market which continues to gather momentum, it will give the company further revenue potential to cover the overhead it needs to properly promote its range of access products.

Track mounted lift market will also run in a different cycle to the truck mounted market, giving some diversification cover.

Note that the MAY issue of Cranes&Access which mails in the morning will still contain references in the SED guide to the Allan Access/Blue lift relationship.