20.07.2001

Grove and Skyjack split in UK

Grove Europe has announced that the year-old distribution agreement with Skyjack UK Ltd. for the joint sales, marketing and product support of access products (Grove Manlift booms and Skyjack scissor-lifts) in the UK and Ireland has been terminated. With immediate effect, sales of all Manlift products will now be handled by the existing Grove UK sales organisation. Product support (including parts, service and warranty) will be provided, as it is for Grove cranes in the UK, by Samuel Walker Ltd.

The Grove Delta range of Toucan and PM vertical mast products will be distributed in the UK under a new, exclusive agreement with Warwick-based Blue Line Access Ltd. - an independent company which represents Bronto, and which has a successful AWP refurbishment business. Jointly managed by Andy Northwood and Ian James, there is a strong historical connection with Grove and its products (Ian James was once Sales Manager for Grove).

"The access equipment business, particularly in the UK, is going through a tough time," said Mike Lamb, managing director of Grove. "We need to focus on and consolidate in the areas where our well-proven and highly-developed range of products is already well-established, especially in the building, construction and steel-erection sector, and where there is greater synergy with our main business, the mobile crane market."

The announcement follows a decision by Skyjack earlier this year to end the agreement under which Grove would sell Skyjack products in Germany. Grove continues to represent Skyjack in France and the companies share many dealers elsewhere in Europe. In North America the company's continue to "cross market" each other's products but it is understood that the new owners of Skyjack are reviewing the arrangement.

The Grove Manlift range has 7 models, including telescopic and articulated booms from 18.3 to 38.1m. They are all manufactured at Grove's plant in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, USA.