Europlatform informs in Cologne

There was a relaxed atmosphere at this year's Europlatform conference which took place in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday 25 September at the magnificent Hotel im Wasserturm - once Europe's largest water tower.

Senior figures from the US and European aerial platform industries took part. There was a humorous and enlightening talk from Don Ahern, owner of Xtreme Manufacturing in the USA, which recently took majority ownership of Snorkel. He also owns Ahern Rentals, one of the biggest rental companies in North America. All these topics were on the table as he explained that Snorkel cost more than expected to turn around at $42 million so far, but that hundreds of units are now in production and ready for order. See more content from his talk in the next issue of Access International.

Speakers also included Wayne Lawson at Riwal who talked about how OEMs and rental companies could partner for a win-win situation, while Mark Winfield of HSS spoke about how the company had turned around its trainig policy to positive effect. Grigory Griff from Fortrent, the Ramirent/Cramo joint venture in Russia, explained the company's formation and some of the challenges in the market.

Other participants included Gordon McGruer (Kardon Kontracts), who provided an insight into the requirements of managing, owning and operating the latest superbooms in the 180 - 185 ft category. His company recently bought six of them for work in the UK.

Euan Youdale, Editor of Access International magazine provided his insights into the European rental market using a range of reports from IPAF, Access International and the European Rental Association. Romina Vanzi, IPAF Area Manager, and Reinhard Willenbrock, IPAF Representative for Germany Austria, shared their experience of industry self-regulation and what happens when the law steps in.

The day was ably chaired by Murray Pollok, events director at KHL Group and managing editor of AI and IRN magazines. One of his duties included overseeing the panel discussion including Brad Boehler, President, SkyjAck; Jacco de Kluyver, Sales Director, UK, Ireland and Benelux, Genie/Terex; Matthew Hickin, Managing Director, Gardemann Arbeitsbühnn; Martin Vögtli, Managing Director, SkyAccess, and Owner, WS-Skyworker; and Tim Whiteman, CEO, IPAF.

For more information see the conference website www.europlatform.info