The aerial work platform industry continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, sustaining growth momentum despite unresolved global trade tensions and political uncertainty. In an exclusive interview, Matthew Elvin, President and CEO of Snorkel, offered a detailed assessment of market conditions, emerging technology trends, and the strategic priorities that are shaping the access equipment sector. His insights are particularly valuable for building contractors and rental operators navigating a landscape where safety regulations, environmental mandates, and productivity demands increasingly intersect. The construction industry as a whole has seen parallel developments in leadership and inclusion, as highlighted in discussions about Women in Concrete Leadership Aci Vice President Maria, reflecting a broader shift toward diverse perspectives driving innovation across construction sectors.
Global Market Conditions and the 2019 Outlook for Aerial Equipment
Elvin characterized the 2019 outlook as a continuation of trends established over the previous twelve months, with generally positive conditions tempered by a measurable reduction in the rate of growth. The aerial industry, he noted, remains sensitive to global socioeconomic and political drivers that influence capital investment decisions across construction and rental markets.
Tariffs, Trade Talks, and Brexit Uncertainty
Two factors featured prominently in Elvin’s assessment of market headwinds: the US-China tariff dispute and the prolonged Brexit negotiations. While businesses have continued to make decisions and invest despite the political climate, Elvin cautioned that there is a finite window during which companies can sustain momentum without positive resolution to these fluctuations.
Key observations from his assessment include:
- The aerial industry requires timely resolution of both Brexit and US-China trade talks to maintain current momentum
- Businesses are exercising greater caution and demanding stronger justification for investment decisions
- So far, 2019 has started in line with earlier forecasts, but the trajectory depends on political outcomes
- Multiple forecasts predict favorable conditions for the next 18 to 24 months, after which a natural reduction in growth is anticipated
Geographic Market Performance: A Diverging Landscape
Elvin pointed to significant variation across geographic markets, with mature economies continuing to perform well while developing markets present both opportunities and challenges. The table below summarizes the market characteristics he described.
| Market Region | Current Performance | Key Drivers | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Strong | Mature rental infrastructure, steady construction demand | Continued strength in near term |
| Western Europe | Strong | Regulatory push for safety and emissions compliance | Sustained demand for new technology |
| China | Growing opportunity | Aerial market outpacing general construction equipment growth | Increasing opportunities for manufacturers |
| Middle East | Softening | Reduced infrastructure spending, geopolitical factors | Continued softening expected |
In developing markets such as China, the growth of the aerial sector is outpacing the general construction equipment market, creating increasing opportunities for aerial lift manufacturers. This divergence from mature market patterns suggests that global expansion strategies must be tailored to local conditions rather than applied uniformly. Contractors and rental operators expanding into new territories should study these regional dynamics carefully, as the Aerial Lift Rental Industry Report Standards Safety and findings offer deeper analysis of how these market variations affect equipment selection and fleet investment decisions.
Safety, Productivity, and the Environmental Transformation of Access Equipment
According to Elvin, the aerial industry is fundamentally driven by two core priorities: safety and productivity. However, a third force is rapidly reshaping the sector: environmental regulation. Contractors are facing increasingly stringent requirements for jobsite noise and emissions compliance, which is driving significant changes in equipment design and fleet composition.
The Shift Away from Diesel
The environmental influence on the aerial industry and rental companies more broadly is accelerating the transition away from diesel-powered equipment. This shift is changing the focus of aerial lift manufacturers toward new technology, alternative power systems, and redesigned equipment operation methods.
Several factors are converging to accelerate this transition:
- Increasing regulatory pressure on jobsite emissions, particularly in urban and environmentally sensitive areas
- Noise restrictions that limit the operating hours and applications of diesel-powered equipment
- End-user demand for cleaner, quieter equipment that can work in indoor and noise-sensitive environments
- Total cost of ownership advantages emerging for electric and hybrid power systems
This environmental transformation is not happening in isolation. The broader construction industry is simultaneously addressing workforce development and inclusion challenges. As noted in the analysis of Women in Construction Week 2026 Industry Leaders On progress and challenges, attracting and retaining a diverse workforce requires modernizing not only job site culture but also the equipment and technology that workers use daily. Cleaner, safer, and more technologically advanced equipment plays a role in making construction careers more appealing to a broader talent pool.
Lithium-Ion Battery Technology: A Transformational Force in Aerial Lifts
Among the most significant equipment trends Elvin identified is the adoption of lithium-ion battery technology for electric-powered aerial work platforms. This development represents a step-change in capability compared to traditional lead-acid battery systems and opens new possibilities for machine design and application.
Why Lithium-Ion Matters for Aerial Equipment
Lithium-ion batteries offer several advantages over conventional lead-acid batteries that are particularly relevant to aerial lift applications:
- Extended duty cycles: Lithium-ion batteries deliver longer operating periods between charges, enabling full-shift operation on a single charge for many applications
- Faster charging: Reduced downtime between use cycles improves fleet utilization rates for rental companies
- Reduced maintenance: No water topping, no acid spills, and no equalization charging requirements
- Lighter weight: Lower battery mass improves machine transportability and can reduce ground pressure on sensitive surfaces
- Longer service life: Higher cycle counts before replacement compared to lead-acid batteries
Product Development Opportunities
Elvin emphasized that the industry is only at the beginning of understanding how lithium-ion technology will be embraced by the aerial sector. The technology presents a wealth of product development opportunities, from compact scissor lifts designed specifically around lithium-ion battery packs to larger boom lifts that can operate cleaner and quieter in sensitive environments.
The safety implications of this technology shift are significant. Lithium-ion powered aerial lifts eliminate diesel emissions and reduce noise pollution, addressing two of the most common compliance challenges on modern construction sites. For contractors operating in urban environments or indoor applications, this can mean the difference between being able to work during standard hours versus facing restrictions. The broader safety considerations around aerial work platforms are examined in depth in the Aerial Work Platform Safety and Sustainability What the industry report, which details how technology adoption and regulatory compliance are converging to raise safety standards across the sector.
Snorkel at 60 Years: Innovation, Legacy, and the Road Ahead
Snorkel marked its 60th anniversary in 2019, a milestone that traces back to founder Art Moore and the company’s origins in the firefighting industry. Elvin used the anniversary as a platform to discuss both the company’s heritage and its forward-looking product strategy.
Recent Launches and Digital Investments
The company began the anniversary year with several strategic initiatives already in motion:
- Launch of a new global website designed to improve customer access to product information and support resources
- Deployment of an online spare parts ordering system, streamlining the procurement process for rental companies and equipment owners
- Expansion of the telehandler family with two new models introduced at World of Concrete and The ARA Show
- Preview and official launch preparation for the S3019E electric drive slab scissor lift, originally previewed at ConExpo 2017
Bauma and Beyond: The Product Pipeline
Looking ahead to Bauma, the industry’s largest global trade show, Elvin signaled a number of exciting new product launches. The S3019E electric drive slab scissor lift represented a particular point of pride, showcasing Snorkel’s commitment to electric power and innovative design in the access equipment space.
Beyond new products, Elvin emphasized that Snorkel remains heavily focused on continuously improving the customer experience. Further investments in support infrastructure, digital tools, and service capabilities are planned to ensure that the company’s growth is matched by its ability to serve an expanding customer base.
Implications for Building Contractors and Rental Operators
For building contractors and rental companies evaluating their aerial equipment strategies, the trends Elvin outlined carry several practical implications:
- Fleet electrification is not a distant possibility but an ongoing transition that will accelerate as lithium-ion technology matures and costs decrease
- Rental companies should begin incorporating electric and lithium-ion powered machines into their fleets to meet growing customer demand for clean, quiet equipment
- Contractors should evaluate their job site power availability and charging infrastructure to support electric aerial lift operations
- The 18 to 24 month window of favorable market conditions provides an opportunity for strategic fleet investment before the anticipated reduction in growth
- Manufacturer investments in digital tools and online ordering systems can improve parts availability and reduce equipment downtime
The aerial equipment industry continues to demonstrate that it can grow despite global challenges, driven by fundamental demand for safer, more productive, and increasingly sustainable access solutions. As Elvin’s assessment makes clear, the companies that invest wisely in technology and fleet composition during this period of favorable market conditions will be best positioned to weather the natural slowdown that lies ahead.