Manlift Group

Generating growth

Specialising in the sales and rentals of both power generators and access platforms, the Manlift Group, was started in 2006 as a joint venture between Riwal, a major European plant rental firm based in Dordrecht, Holland, and British entrepreneurs.

Based in Dubai, UAE, Manlift experienced exponential growth in the first three years of operation allowing for swift, strategic expansion into new markets and heavy capital investment in machinery and manpower to cope with the rising demand. Seven years on, the Group is known as a market leader in both the power generator and access platform industries, with a fleet of over 1200 machines based over four branches in Dubai & Abu Dhabi (UAE), Doha (Qatar) and Delhi, (India),

Manlift Middle East LLC provides access platforms, otherwise known as Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP’s). The product offerings include articulated and straight boom lifts, scissor lifts, truck and trailer mounted aerial work platforms from MEWP giants and world leading manufacturers, JLG, Genie, MEC and Upright, and specialist spider lift units from German company Teupen, with a product range catering to heights from three metres up to 50 metres.

The other business that makes up the Group, Manlift Power LLC., provides remote power solutions through the rental and sales of generator sets from 10kVA-2500kVA in size, specialising in large, synchronised turnkey power installations of up to 100 Megawatts in size. With a fleet of 600 super-silent rental spec containerised generators from Cummins, Ingersoll Rand and Perkins, LV & HV transformers with supporting ancillary equipment. Power is supplied more often than not to companies operating in remote areas such as the oil and gas, mining, construction, tourism and events industries. By ensuring these companies have the finest equipment and support throughout the duration of their projects Manlift Power constantly strives to exceed customer expectations and provide them with the best experience in the power industry, which ensures an excellent client retention rate.

Manlift’s International Power Projects (MIPP) team recently completed its first EPC contract in Pakistan, which involved the manufacture and installation of a 15MW turnkey power solution for Byco Oil Pakistan’s facility in Lasbela. Manlift manufactured, shipped, installed and commissioned fifteen 1250kVA generator units, over two phases; 5MW initially and then the remaining 10MW.

Once completed, the facility will have the capabilities to refine 120,000 barrels of crude oil each day, making it the largest of its kind in the country. “Byco required a turnkey power solution with reliable, well built equipment and excellent sales, service and technical support. We were happy to be given the opportunity to carry this project through and that Byco are satisfied with the solution we supplied. We look forward to strengthening a solid relationship with Byco Oil Pakistan in the foreseeable future,” says John Ashcroft, managing director of Manlift Group.

Proud of its dedication to providing the best products to its customers, the group also focuses on giving a highly personal level of service. “Customer experience is at the centre of our vision,” says Nick Jenkins, Manlift’s marketing and communications manager. “Manlift holds a wealth of skill and knowledge in our employees and we are known for a high level of service, whether technical, commercial or through our highly professional sales force. The majority of our fleet is extremely new, and older units from both businesses are constantly being replaced or reconditioned to ensure maximum productivity and minimum downtime for our clients. We operate in very competitive markets. In order to stay ahead of the competition, we draw on our product quality, team experience, company processes and corporate values to implement safe, reliable, turnkey solutions for our customers.”

All Manlift customers are offered and encouraged to sign service and spare part agreements. Following the global market collapse, both businesses have witnessed an increase in the number of enquiries for spare parts. More often than not these enquiries are from companies and individuals that purchased access platforms and generators at a lower price from organisations without the facility or experience to service them.

In 2009 Manlift became a fully accredited training centre for The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), which was established in 1983 to promote the safe and effective use of powered access worldwide.

With a purpose built teaching facility in the Dubai Technical Yard, Manlift offers a variety of IPAF training courses to adhere to EU Safety standards in a bid to lessen the accident rates of those working at height. Manlift’s instructors are also able to deliver IPAF training in Hindi and demonstrator training in Pakistani and Sri Lankan, a significant development for the group since the majority of its customers in the Middle East speak these languages and critical safety messages could potentially get lost in translation if spoken in English. The group currently has three IPAF instructors and two accredited IPAF demonstrators and aims to expand its numbers of IPAF qualified instructors in Dubai as demand continues to grow. Following the Group’s successful move into training and its ability to find opportunities for strategic growth, the future looks positive for Manlift Group.

Throughout 2013 Manlift will see both access platform and Manlift generator fleets across the group and region increase in size. The Middle East is seeing very positive trends of investment and with construction projects being awarded for the 2020 World Expo in the UAE and the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the gas rich state of Qatar, Manlift is forecasting high demand in Q4 2013, healthy profitability, and is always exploring the possibility for expansion in the future.

Manlift Group
Products: Power generators and powered access machines