Bodley Construction has been relying on the varied Porter Access EWP hire fleet since the early 2000s
Allan Toms from Porter Access says the need for elevated work platforms (EWPs) of varying styles is a distinct throughline across the trade and construction sector. So much so, that Porter Access has made a significant capital investment in extending its machine population right around New Zealand in recent years.
“‘Access’ stretches across so many verticals,” he says. “Roofers, steelies, panel guys, electricians and plumbers, from base construction to the fitout and finishing stages — there isn’t a part of the process where a telehandler or a lift doesn’t remain a crucial part of the build.
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The Porter Access fleet consists of all manner of scissor lift sizes, vertical lifts, telehandlers, and knuckle booms
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“Back in the old days, a lot of access jobs would have involved people up ladders. That’s plainly not how things can be done anymore, but a four-metre, six-metre, or eight-metre scissor lift inside a building is a great solution instead.”
While Porter Access has been around for 18 years, it’s the last two that have seen a real increase in growth. Allan puts that down in large part to the upswing in the telehandler market.
“The telehandler has become the recognised right tool for a variety of jobs, but there has been huge growth in the need for other EWP solutions, too.
“Over the last two years, Porter Access has increased its hire fleet from 600 units to 900, which represents a significant investment. Today, I believe we have the best telehandler fleet available in New Zealand.”
Building long-term relationships
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Porter Access has a varied EWP hire fleet
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Doug Bodley of Auckland-based Bodley Construction says he and his team have been working at height for decades now, thanks to Porter Access.
“Business is all about relationships I reckon, and whoever has been there looking after you the longest. That in itself is proof that they’re giving you the best service,” he says.
Bodley Construction has been relying on the varied Porter Access EWP hire fleet since the early 2000s.
Doug says it’s Porter Access’ ability to react with immediacy, and conversely, work with him to plan for his company’s future project needs that sets them apart.
“You can plan all you like, but sometimes you get caught short. Things change and you need extra gear in a hurry. It’s always easy with Porters. A quick call — ‘Have you got this? Yep? Great!’ — and it’s done. You can pretty much set your watch to whatever you need to be delivered the next morning. It’s not a problem even when it’s short notice,” he says.
“And then on the one percent of occasions when there’s a delay, the Porter Access guys are upfront about it. They don’t overpromise. Their communication is always really good.”
Meeting industry needs
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Left: Winton Young, Bodley Construction site manager
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With all manner of scissor lift sizes, vertical lifts, telehandlers, and knuckle booms on the extensive Porter Access fleet, Doug says he’s always confident the hire entity will have exactly what he needs for any on-site access solution for Bodley Construction’s 25-strong team.
“They’ve got the biggest variability, which is handy because depending on the job, we’ll always need a few different options. We favour the smaller platforms because they cover most bases for us, but we’ll always need a boom or a z-lift to reach over an obstacle. Every work site has its complications and restrictions.”
With multiple sites on the go around the Auckland region, Doug says Bodley Construction represents a one-stop-shop for clients, with civil works capabilities and a full design and build service providing end-to-end construction nous. With continued workflow a priority, Porter Access structures its regular EWP servicing around Doug’s timetable.
“Once again, the communication we get from Porters is very good when it comes to on-site servicing — they let us know well ahead of time. With the six-monthly inspections, they’ll always make sure there is a replacement machine available for us before taking the other one away. It all works really well,” says Doug.
With the expansion in the commercial construction sector, companies like Bodley Construction need their hire provider’s abilities to grow and adapt in tandem with their own, concludes Allan.
“The scale of many project sites in Auckland is only getting bigger,” he says. “You only have to look at the size of the redevelopment works going on around Auckland Airport, for example, to know that a dependable EWP supplier is going to be increasingly in demand.
“We’ve been able to keep ahead of that demand and supply the best machines for the job across a number of disciplines. Porter Access remains ready to go for any client who needs the extra reach, extra fast.”
Photography: Cameron Officer