As of 1st January 2022, WAC McCandless (Engineers) Ltd, based in Belfast, is responsible for sales and service for the complete range of JLG powered access equipment, in addition to the low level access Power Towers products.
The appointment of a distributor marks a change in approach following Brexit and the global pandemic. JLG previously sold direct into Northern Ireland, treating it like the rest of the UK.
“We are handling Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in different ways, post-Brexit,” explained Glyn Carlile-Stanton, JLG’s industrial channel & distribution manager for the UK and Ireland. “We believe a distributor is the right way to go in the North. To deliver machinery there from our European production facilities, it no longer makes sense to come through the UK – particularly for reactive orders, such as Friday night calls for equipment required on the following Monday morning.
“Demand for equipment is high, but the expectations from manufacturers during the early part of the pandemic was that it would be lower. So now everyone is chasing product, and we are learning lessons from the pandemic about how best to support our customers.”
He added: “This new approach offers a chance for us to regenerate the market.”
In the Republic of Ireland, the company will continue to sell its products direct, with a team led by UK-based Brad Abrahams, supported by Simon Harper.
WAC McCandless sales director Gerald Carvill said: “WAC McCandless are delighted to announce the addition of the JLG access equipment range to our product portfolio, which is well known and respected throughout Northern Ireland, having been in the market for many years. The premium range of product JLG supply fits well with the other premium brands we supply and we are looking forward to getting started with machine stock arriving over the new few weeks.”
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
