11.04.2022

Tony Andrew Thornton 1967-2022

We have received the sad news that UK tree care specialist and powered access entrepreneur Tony Thornton has died. He passed away on the night of Saturday April 2nd, following a short battle with cancer, he was only 55.

Tony Thornton started out on his career in 1985 working in the tree care business and having learnt the ropes began working for himself, spotting the potential of working with utility companies. He began winning contracts with SSE to survey its power lines, keeping them clear of tree limbs and maintaining the anti-climbing devices on poles. He spotted the potential for using powered access in his tree work early on and regularly rented machines from local suppliers. Everything changed in 2004 when he bought his first aerial lift, purchasing a 26 metre truck mounted lift from Facelift. The following year he set up as a company in the form of Thornton Associates Tree Services and later that year added Affordable Access, to rent truck mounted platforms and spider lifts to others in the tree care market.

In order to give himself an edge on his utility contracts he worked with companies such as CTE UK to develop specialist units such as a 20 metre CTE Z boom mounted on a Bimec 4x4 truck chassis.
In 2010 he took the next step when he established Sup Elefant UK and became the Sup Elefant truck mount and CMC spider lift dealer. In 2012 he took on the Comet truck mounted platform distribution for the UK and was joined by Phil Orwin. Cranes & Access editor Mark Darwin visited the fledgling operation and published an interview in the August September issue of the magazine See: See page 44 of issue 14.6.
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Tony Thornton

While building the access business Thornton maintained his tree business - Thornton Associates Tree Services - and when SSE changed its contracts began offering barn installation services as Dunwood Construction, which would also using his aerial lifts and telehandlers. Long time associate Gary Whitfield invested in Affordable Access in 2014 and took over the business fully in 2019. The company remains an active participant in the UK access market.

Tony Thornton was one of those people, you immediately warmed to and loved, or struggled with. A big man, his huge physical presence and direct manner intimidated some, but those who knew him spoke of a kind and gentle side to him that not everyone got to see. He leaves behind his wife Wendy, her two adult daughters, and the couple’s young son Hayden.

The funeral will be held at the Test Valley Crematorium on April 27th at 13:00 the family has said that it is open to anyone who would like to attend and say their goodbyes.