IPAF rental market report predicts AWP uptick for 2011, 2012

A 5 percent recovery in the aerial work platform market is expected for 2011 with even stronger growth in 2012, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has reported in its IPAF US Powered Access Rental Report 2011.

While rental revenues for aerial work platforms (AWPs) in the US decreased slightly in 2010 (-4 percent) and totaled about $5.7 billion, an upturn is expected for 2011 by 5 percent and an even stronger return to growth is expected for 2012 (+11 percent), according to the report.

"There are strong indicators for a real recovery of a somewhat embattled AWP market in recent months," said IPAF chief executive officer Tim Whiteman. "The US market is seen to be more mature, more generalist, more concentrated and is expected to recover more rapidly than Europe."

The results are based on independent studies conducted by Ducker Research, using mainly primary research in the form of interviews. The sample of rental companies interviewed represent about 60 percent of the estimated total AWP rental market, IPAF said.

IPAF has also published the IPAF European Powered Access Rental Report 2011. The European study covers 11 countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Seven individual country/regional sections are included in the European report.

The reports highlight key facts and figures for senior management, such as fleet size, utilization rate and retention period. New for this year is the analysis of fleet mix, comparing the proportion of scissors and booms. Booms represent around 40 percent and scissors account for about 60 percent of the US AWP fleet and no change is expected in the fleet mix in the next few years.

"These reports from IPAF are invaluable in providing an insight into the current powered access rental market," said Kevin Appleton, chief executive of the Lavendon Group, one of the largest access rental companies in Europe. "They identify future trends, issues and opportunities which may affect those in it. I have found them to be essential reading and would recommend them to anyone responsible for powered access rental management."

The IPAF US and European Powered Access Rental Reports 2011 are available in English and can be purchased at www.ipaf.org/reports and Access International and Access, Lift & Handlers will have more on the reports in their print publications this summer and fall.