Tower Light and Phoenix Zeppelin reach distribution agreement

Italy's Tower Light srl has signed a distribution agreement with Caterpillar dealer Phoenix-Zeppelin for the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic markets. The agreement includes the Tower Light branded lighting towers and the Gladiator range that includes mini crawler-dumpers and site storage boxes.

Paul Hay, Tower Light's UK-based international sales manager, told IRN that the deal was concluded at the recent Brno Fair in the Czech Republic.

Phoenix-Zeppelin, which is the Czech and Slovakian subsidiary of German Caterpillar dealer Zeppelin, will take an initial order for 24 VT1 and Fox lighting towers (the Fox units are supplied without a generator). It will sell the towers and add some to its Cat Rental Store operation, which now covers 11 locations in the Czech Republic and 5 in Slovakia.

Meanwhile, Tower Light used the SED show in the UK to preview its expanded range of products as well as changes to the structure of the GenSet/Tower Light/GenQuip businesses.

Paul Hay said this year was the first time that Tower Light had exhibited at SED under its own name; "In previous year's we have promoted our products in the UK under the GenSet brand. However, we are now extending our complete range directly from the Tower Light factory [in Italy]."

GenSet plc will continue to market the Italian made GenSet generators and welding units in the UK, while Tower Light will sell lighting towers and pumps under the Tower Light brand name and crawler dumpers, high pressure washers, fuel tanks and site security boxes under the Tower Light Gladiator brand. A third company, GenQuip, makes portable welfare cabins and associated products. GenSet chairman Josh Llewellyn is also chairman of Tower Light and GenQuip.

Mr Llewellyn said the restructuring had been carried out to adapt to the major downturn in the UK construction market, and particularly the reduced demand from rental companies that were the major customers for GenSet. He told IRN that the 2009 UK market for its products would be down around 50% and that 2010 was likely to be "no worse, no better".

The expanded Tower Light range includes the lighting towers and pumps that have previously been available, supplemented with a range of four 1000 l and 2000 l fuel tanks; a wide selection of site secure boxes; mini-dumpers with capacities from 250 kg up to 850 kg; trailer-mounted and stand-alone high pressure washers; and dust suppression water blowers.

Pictured here at SED is the 850TOP dumper, with a 550 kg load capacity and 2.7 maximum lifting height. The dumper, like all the Gladiator and lighting tower products, is made at Tower Light's factory in Pavia, Italy.