The leading Australian forklift and access equipment company United Forklift and Access Solutions has been selected by the globally successful Italian scissor lift company AlmaCrawler as Exclusive National Retailer for the Athena bi-levelling tracked scissor lift and future products to be released here.
The versatile and compact bi-levelling Athena scissor lift is acknowledged internationally as a worksite safety asset and access problem-solver that can safely traverse slopes and terrain where access equipment previously could not operate at all.
“It is a huge achievement to be selected as Exclusive National Retailer by AlmaCrawler, the products of which are respected across five continents for their quality, excellence of engineering, manufacturing and service backup,” says United Forklift and Access Solutions’ Managing Director, David Maxwell.
“Their quality and service ethos strongly complement our own, and the power of this partnership means the Athena scissor lift range and future AlmaCrawler products will further benefit from United’s expansion as one of Australia’s largest privately-owned forklift and access equipment companies, with Australia's most extensive range of forklift, scissor lift and boom lift equipment for sales and hire.”
With a footprint extending across key Australian markets, and service operations offering 24/7 response, United joins with AlmaCrawler in ensuring a truly national access solution that is highly responsive to local conditions and which, through this agreement, will further expand the market success of the Athena scissor lift range and lay the groundwork for future innovative products.”
The Athena is believed to be the first scissor lift in the world with its unique capabilities, being able to level on its axis in longitudinal and lateral directions to operate on slopes and undulating terrain where conventional scissor lifts cannot operate. Conventional scissor lifts are typically limited to slight inclines of 2-4 degrees, whereas the Athena scissor lift handles with assurance and safety, terrain variations up to 50cm front and back and 38cm side-to-side on uneven terrain, or inclines up to 20 degrees, says United.
AlmaCrawler says the appointment of the long-time and experienced industry leader United as Exclusive National Retailer is integral to its strategy to strengthen AlmaCrawler’s presence in the strategically important Australian market, where it has created Alma Pacific Pty Ltd, its first direct branch. This new branch in Sydney will allow AlmaCrawler to effectively service and support the Australian market including United and its customers nationally.
AlmaCrawler General Manager Mr Andrea Artoni says the Australian market’s appreciation of, and reception for, the company’s products have from day one made Australia our first market. “The prospects for the future, combined with the high level of our deliberations, brought us to the decision to establish a direct presence on the market and open Almac Pacific Pty Ltd to support strategic and executive customers.”
“Consequently, it was very important to identify a high-quality partner to service and support the retail market. United have always been very receptive to our products and produce the same level of quality work. For this reason, it was natural to partner with United Forklift and Access Solutions. It is a pleasure that one of the most important and well-respected players in the Australian Market decided to add our unique range of products and the Athena brand in its portfolio.”
“United Forklift and Access Solutions, with its great experience, history, leading position and national presence both for sales and especially service/after sales, will be a great resource to further strengthen Athena and future AlmaCrawler products in the market. This will certainly bring many interesting opportunities for the future and lead to a mutually successful relationship. Last but not least, for us this was a natural agreement as we definitely share the same unique approach to the way we do business.”
Mr Maxwell says United is very excited to be able to deal factory direct with AlmaCrawler, as United does with its other world-renowned brands.
“This enables us to provide a high level of quality technical support and provide a quick response service at the most competitive price for the end user. The new partnership will build on our current relationship and only strengthen the brand and the product offerings in the Australian market.”
The Athena scissor lift complements United’s broader national ranges of forklift and access equipment, including CAT forklifts, Konecranes lift trucks in capacities up to 65 tons, and Haulotte access equipment.
Marketed under the headline ‘the only one of its kind in the universe,’ the compact and versatile Athena’s outstanding design and performance has won both the international (IAPA) and Australian New Product of the Year awards (HRIA). These were followed up in Australia last year with the Safety Solution of the Year win in the Endeavour Manufacturing Awards, as United promoted the outstanding capabilities of the Athena scissor lift model 850. The Athena scissor lift range is ideally suited to uses including building and construction, facilities maintenance, park and tree management, council operations, industrial and commercial plant access, tradespeople, landscapers, painters, electricians, orchardists and primary production including vineyards, horticulture and agriculture.
For further information, please contact Andrew MacDonald, National Access Product Manager, United Forklift and Access Solutions, Ph: 131 607, amacdonald@unitedequipment.com.au
