Summit Platforms plugs strategic gap with new London depot

National access and telehandler hire specialist Summit Platforms has opened a new depot in the nation’s capital to fill a key gap in its operational network.

The company met the COVID-19 challenge head on by opening its East London depot in the middle of the pandemic and has since enjoyed strong sales growth.

Summit Platform Director James Watson said: “Opening a depot in London has been a strategic priority for us. It fills a big gap in our depot network and allows us to optimise our service to customers in the South East.

“We had planned to open the depot on April 1st but moved the opening to June 1st so we could plan the launch with particular care in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

“There was never a thought to cancel the opening and our confidence has been rewarded with an excellent response from current and new customers, generating rapid growth.”

Capacity for large fleet

The East London depot, at Purfleet Industrial Estate, in South Ockendon, adds a seventh depot to an operational network that includes, Glasgow, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Birmingham, Bristol, Portsmouth and Hinckley Point C project in Somerset.

The new depot has been selected to be capable of accommodating a large fleet, with plenty of room for growth – and excellent road links into London, Kent, Essex, Sussex, and East Anglia.

The depot holds a full range of access platforms and telehandlers – including scissor lifts with working heights of 6m to 22m, boom lifts from 10m to 44m, telehandlers from 6m to 18m and brands that include Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Niftylift, Snorkel and JCB.

Most capable platforms

Rapid rental growth has been underpinned by Summit Platforms’ commitment to operating a modern and well-maintained fleet of the latest and most capable access platforms, said James Watson.

“An example is our all-terrain Niftylift Height Rider hybrid boom lifts, with working heights of 12m, 21m and 28m,” he added. “As zero or low emission MEWPs they are ideal for use in central London and are proving hugely popular.”

Depot Manager Dave Gunn said: “Summit Platforms’ reputation for supplying high quality and reliable kit, backed by can-do customer service, is definitely proving attractive to large contractors.

“Construction has either continued through the pandemic or restarted early which has been helpful to our launch, and I am confident we can push on, and continue to grow during 2020 and into 2021.”

Need scissor lift hire or cherry picker hire in London and the South East? Contact the Summit East London team:

Tel: 01708 988100

Email: [email protected]