15.12.2025

Manager for Bronto's Texas facility

Finnish truck mounted lift manufacturer has recruited a manager for its new service centre near Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas. See: Texas for Bronto

Matias Takala joins the company as US service manager, having worked with truck mounted lifts for the past 14 years, most recently as fleet operations and maintenance manager with Finnish based wind turbine blade inspection, testing and maintenance company Bladefence.

He began his truck mounted lift career as an operator of high reach truck mounted lifts with Finnish rental company Janneniska, which has owned a majority stake in Bladefence since 2015. In 2017, it took over Janneniska’s 80 metre plus fleet, and the staff that were connected with it. See: Janneniska partnership with Jalo & Jalo

Until last June, Bladefence had an operation in the USA, when it sold the business to Danish wind turbine specialist Flex-Wind, which now operates from a location in Rhome, Texas, the same town as Bronto has chosen for its new service centre.
Takala said: “This strategic move significantly improves our service capabilities here in the US. The goal is to bring the factory level capabilities closer to the customer. The aim is to provide the best service and product support to maximise the uptime for our customers. Having a larger local spare part stock allows us to provide next day delivery for the most popular replacement parts anywhere in the USA.”

Bronto’s global service manager Juha Pietilä added: "We are thrilled to have Matias at the helm of our local service operations. His extensive experience of the industry and customers’ needs is a great addition to our global service team."
Operations at the new location have now begun, and recruitment of service engineers and other team members is underway. The first machine to arrive for a ‘midlife refurbishment’ is a well used 46 metre S150XDT from the Excel High Reach fleet, followed by a 53 metre Bronto from the Hinkel Equipment Rental fleet)

Excel chief executive Lynn Ladenes said: “The new facility with its expanded support and services is an essential addition to Bronto’s commitment to the North American market. Having factory level support closer to our operations strengthens our position as the leader in ultra-high reach platforms by maximising rental fleet reliability and uptime performance. Ultimately, our customers are the true beneficiaries.”