Snorkel Starts 2007 With High Hopes

Frank Scarborough, Snorkel's vice president for sales, told AI that the opening of the facility coincided with some major sales in Europe, including a “substantial” order with AFI in the UK and a 70–unit order from Heli in Belgium. Bill Jansink manages Snorkel's European operation.

Mr Scarborough said Snorkel was forecasting another “major year…I expect significant amount of growth in Europe in 2007.” The company is now selling significant numbers of machines to United Rentals and Hertz Equipment in the US, and also to Japan, including, for the first time, telescopic booms. Mr Scarborough said sales to Japan would quadruple in 2007.

Snorkel has meanwhile launched its first 85 ft (25.9 m) articulating boom, the AB85J. It is a zero tailswing machine with 60 ft (18.3 m) of outreach and a rotating jib. An 80 ft articulated model is also new and will be shown at Bauma.