07.02.2002

Poll shows UK hire fleets set to grow

This year's "Cranes & Access" Rental Rates Survey is out – and things look good for the coming year according to our poll.

Over the past two years the battle over rental rates has left many in the industry disillusioned for the future. However, when respondents to our survey gave their honest opinion on what had happened to their companies in 2001 and what they predicted for 2002, the disillusionment began to look unfounded.
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Our annual Rental Rates Survey is published in the current issue of "Cranes & Access"

For example, 100 per cent of access hire companies believe that their fleet size will increase this year, showing a healthy investment ethic. This follows on from 2001, when 63 per cent of companies increased their fleets.

The crane hire sector is not quite so optimistic, although 73 per cent expect their fleet sizes to increase or stay the same. Despite last year's gloomy reports, only 7 per cent said that their fleet size had actually fallen.

As far as rental rates are predicted, the access industry has split opinions. Whilst 45 per cent believe that rates will now level off, 46 per cent hope for an increase. Only 9 per cent of respondents felt that this year would show a downturn in rates.

Tellingly, despite these happy prophesies, 50 per cent of the poll said that they would not recommend working in the access industry to their children.

The crane hire industry tells a different tale with only 33 per cent of respondents giving a definite ‘no’ to recommending the industry to their children.

Although that might logically point to an upbeat feeling for 2002, only 27 per cent of crane hire companies said that they expected to invest in expanding their fleets this year. Forty-six per cent expect their fleets to stay the same size. For customers, things appear to be sitting on an even keel – rates, according to 46 per cent or our poll, are likely to stay the same. A hopeful 40 per cent think they might see a rise.

To see the full results of the survey, get the January-February issue of "Cranes & Access" or read it on line.