Terex launches 14 m electric scissor, says replacement market strong

Terex AWP has developed a narrow 14 m electric scissor for Europe, the Middle East and Russia (EMEAR) and will start production at a new line in its Coventry, UK facility in the first quarter of 2012.

The Genie GS-4047 has a maximum platform height of 13.93 m, is just 1.19 m wide and will weigh 3221 kg. It extends upwards Terex's narrow slab scissor line and will compete with other 14 m electric models launched in recent years by companies including Haulotte and Iteco.

The 4047 is not a stretched version of the GS-3246, but a complete redesign, with higher cage capacity (380 kg compared to 318 kg) and better gradeability (up to 28% from 22%) than its smaller brother. It also has a new control panel, with buttons to operate lift functions and joysticks for drive.

José Miguel Peña Haro, Terex AWP product development director for EMEAR, told Access International that the machine on show at APEX had been well received at the show; "customers really like it - we are excited." The scissor is part of a Terex strategy to develop more Europeanised products for the local market.

Also on show at APEX - in addition to the new RT-69 range seen at The Rental Show and ConExpo earlier this year - was a Trax version of the Genie S-45 boom, and a S-40 Trax will also be available. Terex has been producing Trax versions of the S-60 and S-65 machines for several years.

APEX has given Terex AWP an opportunity to gauge customer sentiment following the recent debt problems in the Eurozone. "Financial markets are in disarray", said Joe George, Terex AWP vice president and managing director, EMEAR, "The dynamic here is no different to what we are seeing in other developed markets.

"It's causing caution. I don't think it's raining, but it is pretty cloudy", said Mr George.

However, he said the replacement market continued to be strong; "We see that continuing for the next one and a half to two years globally and in developed markets. Growth CapEx is not apparent [in developed markets]." Terex AWP is forecasting a 30% increase in the European access market in 2011.

Terex AWP is facing the same supply chain problems as its competitors, which is making it more difficult for manufacturers to ramp up their production. The sovereign debt problems in Europe are making customers more cautious, said Mr George, and that in turn means that Terex has to be careful about ramping up production levels too quickly; "We believe we've got the right capacity, and that the industry has the right capacity."

Mr George said Terex was looking at sourcing more components closer to its customers and production facilities, although that will be a long term process.

Meanwhile, Terex AWP has launched four new websites for its European customers, in English, Spanish, French and German (www.genielift.co.uk, genielift.es, genielift.fr and genielift.de).