01.06.2007

Window Cleaners go powered in Holland

Window cleaning companies in Holland have become major powered access users, a recent window cleaning show attracted 60 aerial lift exhibits.

The bi-annual Gevelreinigings- en Glazenwassers Vakbeurs – Façade cleaners and window washers show held this year on May 23rd and 24th attracted a record number of powered access exhibitors.

The show was held at Nieuwegein Business Center near Utrecht, and attracted 25 powered access stand with over 60 machines on show, including large spider and truck mounted lifts.
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There was an astonishing turnout of access companies at this specialist exhibition

The strict laws in Holland restrict the use of ladders resulting in major investments by façade cleaning and glazing companies over the past few years. It is now a major and growing end user sales market. Access rental companies are also now benefiting, most notably for the larger more awkward structures that are springing up all over Holland.

Dutch architect have delighted in designing buildings with facades that are hard to reach with regular platforms due to the landscaping that has been adding, including water features and sloped lawns.

The net result is a growing demand for aerial lifts that offer low ground bearing pressures, the ability to work on inclines and or the need for significant outreach.

This demand has spurred on the use of big spider lifts with working heights of over 25 metres while truck mounted lifts of 72 m are no longer such a rarity in this low rise country.
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The Riwal stand

Machines on show at this year’s event included Bison Palfinger, Ruthmann, Niftylift, Teupen, Oil&Steel, CMC and Bluelift among many others and rental companies such as Riwal, Kamphuis and Eijgenraam had booths.

Spotted at the show was the 10,000th Ruthmann lift, auctioned on eBay during this years Bauma, we can now confirm that the mystery buyer was in fact Kamphuis, the Zutphen based rental company.
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Surprise Surprise, the 10,000th Ruthmann has ended up in Holland

Riwal also announced that its recently purchases of 3.5 tonne CMC telescopic truck mounts is just the start of a major push into the truck mounted lift market. The company has started off with orders for 28 lifts from KTS - the CMC dealer and Bison Palfinger, including a 58 metre unit.
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The first three Bison Palfinger truck mounts in the Riwal fleet

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Hans Aarse mans the IPAF stand

With all the interest in powered access, training has become a big issue, IPAF not only exhibited with its own booth, but was also represented by three IPAF training centres, Kwak, Kamphuis and Riwal.

The IPAF PAL card it seems is becoming the standard for this industry and we understand the support of the industry association - SVS,