Qatar looking for efficiency

“The argument of more efficiency didn't make the sale four years ago,” said Allard Bijistra, manager – rentals for Q-Fab in Doha, Qatar. “Now, finding labour is more difficult. Economics is becoming more relevant. Contractors don't want stoppages and are discovering use of access equipment gives better work, high production. Contactors need to finish projects now within, for example, seven months.”

Q-Fab, which is 80-person strong and a Alimak Hek dealer, sells and rents construction equipment in a market growing principally because Qatar is building its natural gas industry infrastructure. Rental operations have grown from requiring 3 people in early 2006 to 25 now.

To Mr Bijistra, who has spent 13 years working in the Middle East, the modularity of Hek's new line means more rental flexibility and lower costs. “Contractors can and never will buy enough equipment to meet all their needs in the future. They buy tower cranes and rent mast climbers.

“One key point of success is our service. In the past, it wasn't an issue. Time pressure [to quickly get the equipment back in service] was not there. Now project performance is important. Contractors don't want delay penalties.”