Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) play a vital role in infrastructure and maintenance projects, helping teams work safely and efficiently at height. Selecting the right MEWP supplier can have a significant impact on project success, helping you to:
- Reduce delays and keep projects on schedule
- Improve productivity and efficiency on-site
- Enhance safety and operator experience
- Minimise downtime and unexpected costs
But with so many providers in the market, how do you choose a supplier you can trust?
At Access Hire, we work closely with customers to understand their requirements and recommend the most suitable solution for every project. Here are four key factors to consider when selecting a MEWP provider.
1. Site Conditions and Safety Requirements
The first step is ensuring the MEWP is suitable for the environment in which it will operate. Different projects have different access requirements, ground conditions, and space constraints.
For example:
- Urban and confined sites often require compact, manoeuvrable units.
- Rural or off-road locations may benefit from a 4×4 pickup-mounted MEWP.
- Highway and infrastructure projects frequently favour van-mounted MEWPs due to their ease of transport and deployment.
Van-mounted platforms are particularly popular because they can be driven directly to site without the need for towing. This allows operators to move quickly between locations, improving flexibility and reducing setup time.
Choosing the correct machine from the outset is essential for maintaining safe working practices and maximising efficiency.
2. Quality of Service and Support
The level of support provided by your supplier can be just as important as the equipment itself.
Before hiring a MEWP, consider:
- How quickly can equipment be delivered?
- What maintenance and servicing support is included?
- Are inspections and compliance checks carried out regularly?
- What technical assistance is available if issues arise?
Unexpected downtime can quickly increase project costs. A supplier with responsive support, well-maintained equipment, and efficient delivery capabilities can help minimise disruption and keep your project moving.
3. Availability of Replacement Vehicles
Even with robust maintenance programmes, unforeseen issues can occasionally occur. When they do, the speed at which a replacement vehicle can be provided is critical.
Project delays caused by equipment breakdowns can affect productivity, labour costs, and delivery schedules. That’s why it’s important to evaluate:
- The size and availability of the supplier’s fleet
- Their response times for breakdowns and repairs
- The expertise of their service engineers
- Whether courtesy or replacement vehicles are available
At Access Hire, our specialist engineers are experienced across the range of MEWPs we supply and can often diagnose issues remotely, helping customers get back to work faster. We also maintain dedicated courtesy vehicles to minimise downtime wherever possible.
4. Environmental Performance
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important consideration across the construction and infrastructure sectors, many organisations are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.
In fact, environmental performance is now a key requirement in many tender processes, making low-emission equipment an important consideration when selecting a MEWP supplier.
Electric and low-emission van-mounted platforms are now available, providing operators with a practical way to reduce carbon emissions while supporting wider ESG objectives.
For organisations looking to strengthen their sustainability credentials, solutions such as Access Zero, the UK’s first fully electric MEWP lease package, offer an opportunity to reduce fleet emissions while demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Choosing a Partner You Can Rely On
Selecting the right MEWP supplier involves more than simply finding the right machine. Site suitability, service support, replacement vehicle availability, and environmental performance all play a crucial role in ensuring a successful project outcome.
By choosing a supplier that can provide reliable equipment, expert guidance, and responsive support, you can reduce risk, minimise downtime, and maximise productivity on site.