20.04.2004

Nationwide to conduct live training courses at SED

Nationwide Access, the UK's largest powered access rental company and the world's largest IPAF training centre has announced that it will be presenting live IPAF operator training courses throughout next month's SED show (See the Vertikal.Net events guide).

Part of the Lavendon Group, Europe's largest powered access equipment rental firm, Nationwide Access will also hold a whole series of live demonstrations, including power cladding using its "Power-Clad" system mounted onto a large scissor lift, a forestry demonstration using its specialist Teupen lifts, and various methods of working below ground level with access platforms.

The most unusual aspect of the exhibit, however, will be three live IPAF operator training courses that will be conducted during the show. Visitors will get the opportunity to look on as up to 12 trainees a day receive aerial platform operator training and take the various tests in the hope of qualification for IPAF's PAL Card on completion.

The effort by Nationwide will be one of the first times that a rental company has set out at an exhibition to attempt to educate and demonstrate the benefits of powered access and operator training in such a way.

Comment:

Vertikal.Net applauds this effort by a leading access rental company to make such a significant effort to educate and extend the usage of powered access equipment.

A show such as SED attracts around 17,000 visitors, made up of mainly contractors, specialist sub contractors and builders - all potential users of powered access. All too often, hire companies expect manufacturers to attend such shows in order to entertain and educate them, but a show such as SED has just as much, if not more, potential for the hire company than it does for a manufacturer.

Of the 17,000 people that are expected to pour through SED's gates next month, the vast minority will not be in the slightest bit interested in buying an aerial work platform. However, the vast majority will, however, be candidates that may rent an aerial lift to carry out their work in the future.

By creating a stand with enough action and interest to grab the attention of those visitors not ordinarily interested in platforms, a hirer can show contractors new ways in which such equipment can make their work increasingly efficient and much safer. Once this is achieved, the price discussed is not how much the machine costs to buy. Rather, the much more acceptable price that it costs to rent for a week!

It is very easy after a tough period, such as the past three years in the UK and Ireland, to forget that there are still more non-users out there among contractors, builders, and other trades, than there are users!

Nationwide are of course doing this in the hope that any converts during the three-day show will become loyal Nationwide customers. Lets hope that they succeed!