Powered access equipment specialist Rapid Access is set to further expand in the region, having first set up base in Dubai just four years ago.

A grand opening of its first Saudi Arabia operation is slated for this month, with the opening of a depot in Dhahran. This will be followed by the inauguration of a further two such facilities in Riyadh and Jeddah in April. It will also open a depot in Doha, Qatar, in the same month.

The company is part of the UK-based Lavendon Group, which claims to be Europe's largest powered access rental company with of fleet of some 8,000 units, all of which were procured from North America. The Lavendon Group is headed by executive chairman David Price.

Rapid Access opened its first Middle East in Dubai in January 1997 and since then it has grown in stature to include a branch in Abu Dhabi and another office in Bahrain.

''Rapid Access has invested a total of $11 million in the UAE since it launched operations there, and now has a fleet of 120 machines which offer powered access to heights ranging from 6 m to 44 m,'' says Chris Light, director.

These include self-propelled scissor lifts which offer a reach ranging from 6 m to 17 m; boom lifts (8-35 m) and truck-mounted hydraulic access platforms (17-44 m). All machines are CE marked, he says.

''We launched operations in Bahrain nine months ago and currently have 36 self-propelled machines, involving an investment of $5 million,'' he adds.

Turning to its latest area of operations, Light says: ''In Saudi Arabia, we are going in with a colossal investment of $15 million on new equipment including scissors lifts offering reach ranging from 7 to 17 m, boom lifts (10-26 m) and four-wheel drives truck-mounted platforms (17-22 m).

''We will have more than 60 machines in Dhahran and 100 more are on order for Jeddah and Riyadh, which will be arriving between February and April.''

''The fact that we have invested so heavily in the Arabian Gulf shows our commitment to the region. We are here for the long haul,'' Light continues. ''We have also been encouraged by the fact that there is increased attention to health and safety in the region, with companies putting emphasis on the safety of their employees.

''In addition, companies cannot continue to use traditional methods of access if they want to stay in step with the requirements of the 21st century.'''

Another growing trend which will ensure its success in the region, is rental rather purchase, according to him.

''In the short span that we have been here, I have noticed that people are changing they ways from buying all their equipment to leasing,'' he elaborates. ''I feel we are helping this trend, as clients are now aware that they can fall back on a company that has made substantial investment in the region, offer sound back-up service and is here to stay. They are turning to us in growing numbers. In addition, we also hold a stock of spare parts worth $50,000.

''We are well aware that you have to give a good service to operate successfully.''

Further capital investment has been earmarked for Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC countries over the next two years, with further depots opening in Qatar, Kuwait and finally in Oman.

The company operates a comprehensive fleet of powered access equipment, which it is continually updating and expanding in order to provide the best in machine availability and performance, he says.

''Powered access equipment is used to provide temporary aerial access in a whole range of applications. It is highly effective, saving both time and labour costs, thanks to its speed and maneuverability.

''These machines are not only designed to serve the construction market but also production facilities. And in the light of increased industrialisation in the region, we see our units being increasingly used in factories and other industrial complexes in the Gulf.

''This equipment represents a safe and quick alternative to traditional forms of access such as scaffolding and ladders and is used across a wide range of industries from telecommunciations and outside broadcast to industrial repair and maintenance,'' he adds.

The company has recently signed a five-year lease agreement with Emirates airlines and is looking at signing up similar orders with other corporate organisations and municipal authorities in the Gulf.

"We have won this order because we have a back-up machine and ensure minimum downtime. If a machine is not fixed within two hours because of a technical problem or lack of spare parts, we replace it at our cost,'' he says.

Commenting about the market in the region, Light says: ''The UAE market has been very good for us, particularly as we entered at the height of the boom in the emirates. We are confident that we will continue to do well in the UAE. Saudi Arabia, which is the largest market in the GCC, offers us enormous scope for expansion, especially in the industrial sector and we are witnessing more and more manufacturers coming for rentals.''

Major projects in the region which have used Rapid Access equipment include:

• The new terminal at the Dubai International airport;

• The Borouge petrochemical complex in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi;

• Alba's coke calcining project, Bahrain; and

• The Hawiyah and Haradh gas projects, part of the master gas system in Saudi Arabia.

''Rapid Access is staffed by personnel who have years of experience in this specialist field and we offer impartial advice to clients. We invest in the best people, too, place great importance in recruiting and retaining high quality personnel, and invest heavily in staff training. We are now looking for the right staff for our Saudi operations,'' says Light.

While its core business is equipment rental, Rapid Access is also the Middle East agent for Genie Industries of the US, Denka Niftylift and GSR truck-mounted lifts.