Italian manufacturer Socage has appointed a new UK distributor, Access Platform Sales (APS), as its authorised dealer in the UK.

APS is now the official product support provider for the 550-plus Socage machines across Britain, including 100 still under warranty. APS will provide all warranty work, spare parts and service to Socage via its sister company, IPS. Additionally, IPS has invested in significant parts stock, with most fast-moving items available for next-day delivery when ordered before 4.0pm.

The appointment coincides with the announcement of an extended warranty on Socage's A314 pick-up mounted platform.

Steve Couling, managing director of IAPS Group which owns APS and IPS, says: "The A314 is a hugely popular 13 m boom lift, with around 90% marketshare in the UK. By offering a three-year warranty, Socage is demonstrating its confidence in both the product and in APS as its new distributor."

Engineered specifically for utilities, utility contractors and tree work, the A314 articulated boom provides a maximum working height of 13.5 m. The design features the tracking inside the boom sections, ensuring that operators can work inside the tree canopy without fear of catching it on a branch. The 90 deg. basket rotation option optimises the maximum outreach to 7.2 m, and with a safe working load of 225 kg, it can lift two people with tools.

APS will also offer four truck-mounted booms from Socage's E-Series. These provide up to 28 m working height on a 3.5 T Nissan Cabstar, meaning the vehicle can be driven by anyone with a standard (class B) UK driving licence.

Socage vehicle-mounted booms available from APS include:

* 13.5m Socage A314 articulated boom mounted on an Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck
* 19.5m Socage 20TJ telescopic boom, with jib, mounted on a 3.5 T Nissan Cabstar
* 20.5 Socage 21DJ double articulated boom, with jib, mounted on a 3.5 T Nissan Cabstar
* 24.5m Socage 25D double articulated boom, mounted on a 3.5 T Nissan Cabstar
* 28m Socage 28D double articulated boom, mounted on a 3.5 T Nissan Cabstar

APS will continue to represent the Aldercote brand of van-mounted boom lifts in addition to Socage truck and pick-up mounts. It is also an authorised Genie dealer and the official UK distributor for Hinowa tracked boom lifts and compact site equipment.