Kimberly places largest ever platform order

UK access rental company Kimberly Group has placed an order for 69 Genie platforms including Z-45, Z-60, Z-80 and Z-135 booms, all for delivery within two months. It is the company's largest ever order and Ray Ledger Kimberly's chairman told AI that it is worth in the region of £4 million.

Mr Ledger, said the order "reflects our determination to be able to offer our clients good quality equipment and to continue the development of 1st Access Rentals, High Level Platforms and Kimberly Access on a national basis."

Kimberly has been developing its fleet of big booms for the last two years as well as new markets for them, such as in the retail sector. Mr Leger said that the company has had substantial numbers of booms working at the White City and Westfields developments [in London]. The booms are not only used for construction - in which Mr Leger said the company is still very active - but in on-going maintenance.

"We offer a 24/7 service," he said which is very important in the retail sector."

Mr Ledger said Kimberly's ability to invest to this extent rested on its policy of having a "disciplined strategy of repayment of debt so that now financial gearing is at minimal levels."

With this in mind Kimberly's next planned investment will not be until early next year, but it is anticipated to be of a similar size. again. The fleet currently stands at aproximately 2500 machines and, Mr Leger believes, that it includes one of the largest "big-boom" fleets in the UK.

Kimberly is based in Harrogate, UK, and has seven rental locations throughout mainland UK. It also operates 1st Access Rentals in Scotland and High Level Platforms in Dorset in the south west of England.