Skyreach was started in Geebung in Brisbane in 1994 by our current Managing Director Rod Leech. Since then, the business has gone on to become is a true pioneer of the Access Hire Industry. Today Skyreach specialises in height access equipment including Elevated Work Platforms (EWP’s), Telehandlers, mast climbers and forklifts.
James Nightingale is the product and training specialist for Skyreach and he explains what has helped the company become the success it is today.
“When Skyreach was started, there were very few companies providing this type of equipment in Australia and the vast majority of machines in the market were second hand units sourced from the US,” Nightingale said.
“Skyreach started purchasing brand new machines that provided the highest level of safety, as well as ease of use and versatility for the operators,” he said.
The company has grown astronomically since and now has branches up and down the eastern seaboard with the head office remaining in Queensland. Providing cost effective solutions in the areas of personnel access and materials handling has remained a key priority and focus for the business.
Skyreach provides equipment to a broad cross section of industries including, construction, retail, manufacturing, mining, road, rail and many more.
Stocking a diverse range of brands and products including including, Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Haulotte, Manitou and Merlo among many others, Skyreach has a simple philosophy when it comes to the equipment it stocks. Nightingale explains more.
“We stock the brands of equipment we consider to be the best in each particular market segment. We also source machines that best fit some our customer’s specific project requirements. We stock equipment that gives us the best flexibility to meet our customer’s future needs,” he said.
Nightingale explains that most modern telehandlers have very similar capabilities but one brand has impressed him more than any other, and that’s the Merlo range.
“The Merlos are very simple to use, they have very intuitive controls and a simple overall layout. This layout features an uncluttered cabin. Merlo has made it simple to jump into the machine with minimal hassle and get straight to work,” Nightingale said.
“The Merlo has excellent visibility which is due to the height of the cabin and the fact the boom does not block the operators view when fully lowered. This is a vital feature and key to the success of the Merlo range.
“It features an excellent full colour screen to provide real time input from the Load Management System and provide the operator with valuable feedback throughout all stages of the lifting process.
“It also features an excellent full colour rear-view camera with a wide angle camera which provides worry free reversing. The Merlo range has a robust build quality with minimal plastic and fibreglass components which can be damaged during hire,” Nightingale said.
The Merlo has a very efficient on-board air-conditioning system to cope with Australia’s hotter months of weather. It also comes with removable front and rear windscreens to allow the operator more choices to escape should a tip over situation occur.
With the elevated work platform side of the business, Nightingale explains there often isn’t a standout supplier, it is more a case of fitting the correct machine to the task at hand. He explains more.
“The Genie GS3384 Scissor is a machine that can lift over 1,100kgs to full height on an extremely large deck and it also can drive at full height carrying this weight. The Genie XC range of Booms and can lift 450kgs and accommodate three operators in a reduced envelope.
“The Almac Jibbi Boom can drive and operate on slopes up to 16 degrees and the Nifty Lift Boomlifts are electrically powered making them perfect for indoor use and extremely light weight. The Genie and JLG Tracked Booms can operate on soft sand or other poor surfaces and the Haulotte Boomlifts have a ‘Diff Lock’ feature for added traction and improved gradeability,” said Nightingale.
The Skyreach Service Teams are all fully qualified and regularly undergo manufacturers’ training programs for all of the brands and the types equipment and they are continually updated on new technologies, procedures, regulations, safety, and standards in the industry.
Skyreach has specialist Occupational Health & Safety personnel to oversee and implement daily safety and compliance processes. They can provide Hazard & Risk Assessments, Safety and Equipment Specifications, and all relevant certification and compliance paperwork.