Could you provide an update on the main developments over the past year at Eazi Access?

Eazi Access has celebrated its 21st anniversary at an auspicious time after achieving a growth record in the FY24 period. 
Eazi Access started as a work-at-height equipment company focusing on the construction industry and has diversified into a full-service provider offering rental, sales, service, parts, training and machine refurbishments. We have also expanded the industries we serve. By rental fleet size, Eazi Access was voted the number 1 rental company in Africa and the 64th largest in the world, by Access International. In addition we were awarded the Best JLG Marketing Award EMEAI Region by our OEM for the second year in a row.  

Do you expect the growth experienced in 2023 to carry through in 2024-2025?

Mining has been a significant growth driver in recent years and that has helped us offset a drop in construction work in South Africa. Today, the construction industry is bouncing back, albeit from a low base, and that continues to support our growth moving forward. Another growth area is the energy sector, especially in South Africa’s historically underdeveloped energy market. This opens up opportunity for all types of clean energy projects including wind and solar. Outside of South Africa, the mining industry continues to deliver strong prospects. For example, we are experiencing more activity coming out of Zambia. 

Eazi Access has recently added a third OEM brand to its portfolio, namely Manitou, alongside Linde Material Handling and JLG. Could you comment on this development?

With the addition of the Manitou OEM brand, Eazi Access has a broader suite of products. Manitou is extremely strong from a telehandler perspective, where we have seen great demand. After focusing extensively on the above-ground work and working at heights for our mining customers, Eazi Access is ready to grow further in the material handling and potentially underground business. Manitou enables us to enter the underground market for the first time. Moving forward, it is not excluded to add more OEM brands into our portfolio.

How mature is the rental market in South Africa?

Our customers are looking for a solutions partner who offers risk mitigation, productivity improvements and flexibility. Our rental solution supports and provides this for our customers. They choose Eazi Access because we operate with a strong safety consciousness and offer the best-in-class machines, e.g. our JLG machines are equipped with SkySense and SkyGuard detection and protection systems, keeping operators safe. Renting also gives our customer peace of mind that they are not responsible for maintenance of the machine, breakdowns or the risk of the machine aging and becoming obsolete. The flexibility of renting provides our customer the opportunity to try a machine before they buy. This is important, as they can understand extensively how the machine operates and what it is capable of before committing to a large capital investment in the machine. 

Could you comment on the South African business environment for a service and equipment provider?

South Africans have a reputation of unshaken resilience in operating and running businesses in a very complex environment; so how do you run a profitable business when the reliable supply of power is not a given, or work stoppages are not infrequent? Something that Eazi Access takes great pride in is that we have been able to grow our business not just from rental perspective but also from a sales equipment side. This growth has extended to us providing training, repairing and doing full maintenance work to offering a full suite of solutions to our customers. For instance, one of our customers, a large multinational, is undergoing a comprehensive effort to optimize costs. To be able to meet their requirements we must ensure we avoid downtime (which is their single biggest cost). This entails having a backup fleet so we can rotate machines in the event of a breakdown. I believe it is the understanding of the cost, risk mitigation and the ability to service without comprise that has helped us stay profitable.

Do you have a final message?

Eazi Access operates throughout South and Sub-Saharan Africa, deepening our footprint into the continent. We pride ourselves in partnering and listening to our customers providing them with safe, innovative, fit for purpose business solutions, allowing them to focus on their core business. We would welcome the opportunity to do the same for your business.