C&L, Cranes & Lifting, Features

Size matters for Clyde’s services

New Zealand company, Clyde’s Services, has acquired a new Magni Telescopic Handler, the Magni 6.46 – the largest telehandler in the southern hemisphere – through APS Equipment. Managing Director, Clyde Cowley, discusses his journey to business ownership, lessons learned, and how his new Magni will help him move his business forward.

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Before his time owning and operating his own equipment, Clyde Cowley worked laboriously as a rigger.

Doing his time for 12 years at Downer Group, he worked hard, paid his dues, committed himself to labour hire, and succeeded.

Then, however, 2019 came; and, with 2019, came the biggest sustained disruption to the global economy: COVID-19. For many, this was a time of loss and reflection – and, for Clyde, it meant losing a lot.

“COVID took everything from me,” he said. “It is not a period of life that I look back on fondly, but it taught me resilience and mental fortitude.”

It’s that mental fortitude that has stuck with Clyde throughout his journey. Beginning his business in 2011, Clyde’s time has seen him work extensively in the telecommunications industry, gaining experience in Port Hedland, and working all around Auckland. Clyde now works mainly in the cranes, rigging, and precast industries, looking to service the telecommunications industry with tailored equipment and even more skilled labourers.

“COVID allowed me to be reborn into a different part of the industry that I feel like I should’ve been in anyway,” he said. “We’re working across the telecommunications industry, and we’re committed to servicing that market all across New Zealand.”

In his efforts to better service the telecommunications market, Clyde announces that he’s made a significant purchase to bolster the equipment aspect of his business: the tallest telehandler in the southern hemisphere, the Magni Rotational Telehandler 6.46.

Purchased through leading New Zealand equipment distributor, APS Equipment, the Magni RTH 6.46 features a maximum lifting height of 45.6m, a maximum radius of 32m, a maximum lifting capacity of 6000kg and a full 360 degrees of rotation, allowing it to slew, or rotate, anywhere to complete its scope of work. Key features on the Magni 6.46 also include an electronically controlled hydrostatic transmission, an automatic levelling device and scissor-shaped stabilisers/outriggers.

One of the major selling points of the Magni Telescopic Handler range is its wide applicability to a variety of different projects. For example, the Magni RTHs can be fitted with multiple attachments depending on the job required of them – something that Clyde and the team took full advantage of, ordering the new machine with wide forks, a three and six tonne winch, a telescopic platform and a 500kg extendable platform with its own 600kg winch.

“The 600kg winch is going to come in really useful for our façade work, with the rotating aspect of the machine being a very attractive feature of the machine because of the accessibility it provides,” said Clyde. “Furthermore, the TP O/U-R platform allows us to access undersides of bridges, which has allowed us to line up a range of different projects for installing fibre under bridges.”

And, when discussing the service received from APS Equipment and Darren Boon, Clyde is nothing but complimentary of the manner in which things were conducted.

“I met Darren at the CANZ Conference in Hamilton two years ago, where he introduced the Magni machines to me,” he said. “Since then, we’ve worked closely together, and I intend on purchasing many more Magnis in the future as we continue expanding our business.”

Darren, equally, was effusive in his praise for the Magni machines, highlighting the versatility of the Magni 6.46 and how it will help its latest owner.

“The ability to quickly change from crane mode with winch to pick and carry mode with forks makes it extremely valuable around any modern- day construction site,” said Darren. “Having the Magni telehandler in their fleet allows companies to enhance their capabilities, improve efficiency and offer a broader range of services to their clients while minimising downtime due to the telehandler’s flexibility and versatility.”

This, for Clyde, is essential as he continues his post-COVID comeback. Embodying a story of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, Clyde’s work ethic, his attitude and his new machinery are setting Clyde’s Services in good stead for the future.

“Anything that’s classically been ‘too hard to do’ is my bread and butter,” he said. “We’re looking to expand our work, and we’re keen to utilise our Magni to do so.”

 

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