Access confidence remains sky-high

Business confidence among access manufacturers, rental companies and end users remains extremely high according to the latest Access Confidence Survey published by Access International.

Over 380 companies worldwide responded to the survey, and highlights included:

• Almost 65% of rental companies are planning to grow their fleets in 2007;

• Just 1% of all respondents think their business will shrink in 2007;

• 80% of end users say the demand for their aerial platforms will increase.

• The annual Confidence Index reached an all-time high of 72.5 (where 100 = extremely optimistic and 0 = extremely pessimistic). Geographically, Europe and the Middle East stand out as the most optimistic, with North America and Australia/New Zealand respondents the least buoyant.

There has also been a real improvement in the views of manufacturers and distributors, with a massive jump in the number forecasting a greater than 10% growth in business, up from 8% last year to 49%. Over 90% said they would increase production levels next year.