Turkey rental slide to stabilise

Kerem Bayrak, the vice president of Platformder, Turkey’s association for aerial work platforms, has reported a 40% loss in jobs related to the access rental sector in Turkey but forecasts growth in the coming months. 

Bayrak, who is also general manager of Turkey-based access equipment manufacturer ELS Lift, said Covid-19 has had wide effects on the mewp sector, primarily in construction, where most of its work is found, leading to the 40% drop in rental sector jobs.

He added, “Disruptions continue to occur in spare parts, semi-finished products, after-sales services, logistics and customs processes at companies that manufacture platforms.”

Bayrak said most componants and raw materials used in the production of access equipment in Turkey came from the Middle East, therefore, he continued, “companies that do not have advance stocks of parts may experience delays in delivery times due to the dominant effect of the epidemic in the relevant countries.”

Despite these challanges, there are opportunities in Turkey. “Niche and customised production, fast service offerings, high quality products with low cost, logistical advantages thanks to the country’s location, cost advantages provided by the Turkish Lira and prevailing commercial wars can be counted as the significant advantages for foreign investors.”

Manufacturers based in Turkey may also see a rise in demand from the domestic market, due to delays experienced in international logistics and difficulties in after-sales services. “In line with the transition to normalisation, planned by the government for the end of May and the beginning of June, we hope that the market will stabilise, to match the last quarter of 2019.”