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Teupen, the German manufacturer of the Euro B truck mounted and special Leo tracked platforms, is looking for alliances or partnerships with other manufacturers in order to grow its business.

Italy's Oil ' Steel is starting to sell its crawler mounted Octopussy range in North America through the US sales subsidiary of its parent company PM.

Loxam has expanded its access rental business with the acquisition of aerial platform specialists Etup'Loc in France and Ireland Access in Ireland. The deals, which follow Loxam's acquisition of Loueurs de France in December last year, boost Loxam's total access fleet in Europe by over 1500 machines to 5800.

Lavendon has reported a 38% fall in operating profits-before exceptional items-to £5.8 million (US$11.1 million) on a flat turnover of £108.0 million ($207.4 million) for the year to 31 December 2004. The company has also sold off its Austrian access rental business.

• JLG Industries reported revenues of US$353 million for the second quarter to 30 January 30, 2005, up 49% on the previous year. Net profits were $7.5 million, an increase from $2.2 million. US sales increased by 44% and to the rest of the world by 65%.

The company has increased its forecast for full year revenue growth to 30 to 35% against the previous guidance of 10 to 25%.

The impact on the access industry of the UK's soon-tobe-enacted Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) will be the key topic covered by the International Powered Access Federation's (IPAF) annual Access Summit conference being held this year on 16 May, on the eve of the SED show. The conference, IPAF AGM and dinner take place at the Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, UK.

Palfinger said the strategy of using its existing crane dealers to sell its new Bison Palfinger range of truck mounted aerial platforms has had an encouraging start, with dealers responding positively.