Aerial Work Platforms Market Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2014 - 2020

Mobile work platforms, used to reach inaccessible areas, difficult for workers, technicians, etc.to manually access, are known as aerial work platforms. These platforms are supported by lifting mechanisms, usually cranes or vehicle-mounted equipment. Aerial work platforms are widelyused in construction and mining industries, owing to the nature of work, complexity in structural design, and elevation. Aerial work platforms are also utilized for maintenance and repair activities of high tension power lines, disaster management operations, and in defense sectors. Incorporation of safety features, ease of handling, and maneuverability are some of the features driving growth in the market.

Aerial work platforms (AWPs) are also commonly known as cheery pickers, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and man lifts, among others. They come in different types and sizes, from small electric lifts to large diesel-powered ones that can reach heights of over 150 feet.

The demand for aerial work platforms is driven by several factors. It includes growth in the construction industry, infrastructure development, and increasing needs for maintenance and repair work. Safety regulations and the need to improve worker productivity are also expected to contribute to the growth in the upcoming decade.

There is a growing demand for construction and maintenance activities in various sectors, such as residential, commercial, and industrial. This has created a need for equipment that can provide safe access to heights in difficult-to-reach areas, such as those with limited space or challenging terrain.

Advancements in technology, in terms of safety features and automation, have influenced the demand. The integration of sensors and other technologies can enhance the safety of these machines. The use of automation can improve efficiency and reduce operator error.

North America and Europe are the leading economies for aerial work platforms. Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa also hold significant valuation during the forecast period. The demand for these platforms is primarily driven by the construction and infrastructure development sector and the need for maintenance and repair activities in industrial facilities.

Asia Pacific is expected to be a prominent region, owing to increased investments in infrastructure development and construction activities, such as in China and India.

The growing trend towards eco-friendly and energy-efficient equipment has led to the popularity of hybrid and electric AWPs. These machines emit low carbon, produce reduced noise levels, and improved efficiency.

The widespread adoption of telematics enables remote monitoring and diagnostics of equipment. Operators can track and analyze machine performance, maintenance schedules, and data usage. AWPs provide operators with real-time information to optimize performance and reduce downtime.

Safety features are a key consideration in AWP. Manufacturers are constantly developing new technologies to enhance safety, such as anti-entrapment systems, overload sensors, and automated safety controls. AWP is widely used in applications where safety is a primary concern, such as working at heights and in hazardous environments.

Large-size construction projects, increasing installation and maintenance activities of street lights, power cables, and transformers, up-gradation of fire-fighting stations and their infrastructure, and increasing organization of festivals, concerts, and corporate events are driving the need for aerial work platforms across geographies. Aerial work platforms can be controlled using various methods such as vertical, lateral, rotational, and ground movement. Movement is initiated in these platforms with the help of compressors or hydraulics.

Some of the underlying drivers of the market are firm economic growth in developing countries, growing investments in real estate and infrastructure, developing telecommunication networks, urbanization trend, worker safety concerns, and adoption of best practices for efficient and sophisticated ways of construction. The market for aerial work platforms has firm double-digit growth potential. Some of the players identified in the market are Caterpillar, MEC Aerial Work Platforms, Terex, JLG Lift and Access Equipment, Snorkel Lifts, Tadano, Haulotte, and other construction equipment providers.