20.11.2006

New scissor plant for Snorkel

Snorkel International is preparing to open its new scissor lift production facility in Elwood Kansas. The new location offers more than four times the current space dedicated to scissor lift assembly and will allow the company to triple its capacity on a single shift basis.

The first units, largely electric scissor lifts, are expected to begin rolling off the line within the next 30 days. The new facility will include offices, shipping and receiving area, and a paint touch up area.
Please register to see all images

Bill Jansink shows off a Snorkel Scissor lift

Snorkel’s chief operating officer, Frank Scarborough said “Scissor sales have been very strong and with new models just around the corner, we needed to increase our production numbers and be prepared for future growth.”

“We anticipate continued growth both in our existing models and with the new introductions. While Snorkel has historically been known for their boom products, we produce an extremely competitive scissor line, built with the Snorkel standards for great quality and dependability.”

The Snorkel scissor lift range covers platform heights from 19ft to 40ft with both slab and rough terrain ranges.

Vertikal Comment

Snorkel has made a miraculous comeback since being shut down by Omniquip with the remaining stock and assets sold off to a group of local investors/suppliers.

The success of the company has exceeded the wildest dreams of its owners but it has become reliant on the sales of its straight telescopic boom line for which it is well known.

It now needs to expand its coverage of both the scissor lift and the self propelled articulated boom market. This not only requires more production space but also some new models.

Sales of the company’s small slab scissors have been reasonable, this year, but the combination of improved availability and a new 20/26/32 ft mini range should see it win a larger share of this market.