Product, staff and production increases at Snorkel

Along with eight new machines in its product range Snorkel was able to announce some significant increases in employee numbers and production facilities at ConExpo.

Snorkel said the additional machines – mainly UpRight models now being built and sold under the Snorkel name in North America – mean that it can offer a full line of aerial work platforms. The company is investing in plant and people, in order to ensure that the quality of the machines is maintained and that they are delivered on time.

Demand is such that a programme is already underway to increase output by over 60%, compared to 2007. Staff numbers have already risen by over a quarter at the two Kansas facilities, from 400 employees to over 500 – and Snorkel will add another 75 workers by early spring.

Having invested US$10 million in its Kansas facility to increase production capacity, Snorkel is investing a further $7m in a paint plant and other machinery, to help maintain high quality standards while improving build effciencies.

Following the acquisition of Snorkel International in August 2007, Tanfield has merged the two product ranges and adopted a dual branding strategy. The new, full line of aerial lifts in EMEA and Asia-Pacific is sold under the UpRight brand, while Snorkel is the preferred brand for the Americas and Australasia.