APEX 2026: The latest in lifting platforms, forklifts and hire equipment | Rentit

APEX 2026 in Maastricht was one of the most important industry events for work platforms, access to height, lifting technology and modern hire solutions. From 2 to 4 June 2026, manufacturers, hire companies, fleet operators, construction firms and safety experts gathered at the MECC Maastricht to showcase the latest developments in scissor lifts, articulated telescopic boom lifts, telescopic work platforms, tracked work platforms, truck-mounted work platforms, telescopic forklifts, mini-cranes, vehicle superstructures, telematics systems and hire software.

For Rentit, one thing is clear: the trends at APEX 2026 align perfectly with what customers in Switzerland need today – safe machinery, flexible hire options, low-emission powertrains, digital fleet information and reliable advice for working at height. As a Swiss specialist in the hire of work platforms and aerial work platforms, forklifts, scissor lifts, telescopic platforms, tracked work platforms, telescopic forklifts and truck-mounted work platforms, Rentit keeps a close eye on developments in the industry.

Rentit did not return empty-handed. Various new machines were purchased at the trade fair, which will expand the range of options available to customers in Switzerland in future. These include, amongst others, the Dingli BA44ERT, several Niftylift Height Rider models, the Imer IM 5080 UL, the Bravi Leonardo HD, two electric Sinoboom rough-terrain scissor lifts, various Manitou aerial work platforms and the electric Manitou MT 625 e.

One particularly eye-catching new addition is the Dingli BA44ERT. According to the manufacturer, this large aerial work platform offers a maximum working height of 44.06 metres, a maximum reach of 22.97 metres and a platform load capacity of 272 kilograms. For Rentit, the machine is of interest where a long reach, stable performance and modern boom lift technology are required – for example, in industrial plants, on façades, in steel construction, for maintenance, in hall construction or for demanding outdoor assembly work.

Every detail counts, particularly when working at great heights: the ground conditions, access, lateral reach, basket load, working area and safe operation must all be in harmony. This is precisely why the Dingli BA44ERT is not simply being added to the fleet as ‘just another large aerial work platform’, but as a specialised piece of equipment for projects where planning and performance are equally important.

The decision to choose a Chinese supplier was not made purely on cost grounds. Dingli is currently the only supplier offering fully electric work platforms of this size. Furthermore, we were able to see the quality for ourselves on site.

Rentit also made some purchases from Niftylift at APEX 2026. The new models acquired were the Niftylift HR12N, Niftylift HR17N, Niftylift HR21 4x4 and Niftylift HR28 4x4. This means Rentit now covers a wide range: from narrow, manoeuvrable articulated telescopic platforms for confined access points to large 4x4 platforms for construction sites, façade work, industrial maintenance and outdoor installations.

The Niftylift HR12N, with a working height of 12.1 metres, a reach of 6.4 metres and a narrow 1.5-metre chassis, is designed for confined spaces. The Niftylift HR17N offers a working height of 17 metres, a reach of 9.7 metres and a safe working load of 225 kilograms. The Niftylift HR21 4x4 achieves a working height of 20.8 metres and a reach of 13 metres. The Niftylift HR28 4x4 achieves a working height of 28 metres, a reach of 19 metres and a safe working load of 280 kilograms.

This is a real advantage for customers: depending on the job, those looking to hire an articulated telescopic platform do not always need the largest machine. Sometimes a narrow Niftylift HR12N or HR17N is just right. In other cases, the HR21 4x4 or HR28 4x4 is required because the terrain, reach or load requirements are more demanding.

Not all work takes place on large building sites. Often, the work involves interior fit-outs, electrical installations, sprinkler systems, ventilation ducts, ceiling installations, maintenance work, shopfitting, facility management or work in production halls and warehouses. For such jobs, small, lightweight and precise machines are often more valuable than those capable of working at great heights.

That is why Rentit has also purchased the Imer IM 5080 UL. According to Imer, the mini scissor lift from the IM-4080/IM-5080 series reaches a maximum working height of 6.9 metres, has a load capacity of 230 kilograms and is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The machine is compact, manoeuvrable and is ideally suited to tasks where ladders are impractical or inefficient.

Also new is the Bravi Leonardo HD. This compact vertical mast platform reaches a working height of 4.9 metres and is specifically designed for confined spaces: aisles, retail areas, storage zones, production areas, workshops or sensitive indoor environments. The advantage lies not only in the working height, but also in its rapid positioning and the ability to work safely in confined spaces.

With the Sinoboom 1018RE – also known as the Sinoboom 3369RE – and the Sinoboom 1218RE – also known as the Sinoboom 4069RE – Rentit is expanding its range of electric all-terrain scissor lifts. According to the manufacturer, the Sinoboom 1018RE offers a working height of 12 metres and a platform capacity of 450 kilograms. The Sinoboom 1218RE achieves a working height of 14.2 metres, a platform capacity of 365 kilograms and a 35 per cent gradient climbing ability.

These machines bridge an important gap between traditional electric scissor lifts and diesel-powered all-terrain scissor lifts. They are ideal for outdoor areas, hall forecourts, industrial sites, uneven ground or construction sites where work needs to be carried out more quietly and with lower emissions, without compromising on off-road capability.

Manitou also plays an important role in the expansion of the fleet. Among other things, a Manitou 280 TJ with a 4-metre basket, a Manitou 160 ATJ+ and a Manitou MT 625 e were purchased. This means Rentit is not only expanding its range of access platforms, but also its hire solutions for materials handling, site logistics and compact telescopic forklifts.

The Manitou 280 TJ is a high-performance telescopic work platform designed for great heights and a wide lateral reach. According to Manitou, the working height is 27.73 metres, whilst the standard work basket dimensions are specified as 2.30 x 0.90 metres. The version chosen by Rentit, featuring a 4-metre basket, is particularly well-suited to applications where several people, tools or longer components need to be moved efficiently within the basket.

According to the manufacturer, the Manitou 160 ATJ+ offers a working height of 16.21 metres, a maximum reach of 8.52 metres and a platform capacity of 408 kilograms. This makes it a versatile articulated telescopic platform for construction sites, industrial sites, assembly work, maintenance and work on uneven terrain.

The Manitou MT 625 e is another addition to the Rentit fleet: an electric telescopic forklift. According to Manitou, the machine offers a maximum load capacity of 2,500 kilograms, a maximum lift height of 5.85 metres and a maximum reach of 3.36 metres. Measuring 1.81 metres in width and 1.92 metres in height, it is compact enough for confined construction sites, industrial halls, access routes and renovation projects.

APEX 2026 has once again demonstrated just how broad the market has become. Alongside Dingli, Niftylift, Imer, Bravi Platforms, Sinoboom and Manitou, the aerial work platform sector also features names such as Genie, JLG, Haulotte, Skyjack, Snorkel, LGMG, Zoomlion, XCMG, Palfinger, CTE, Ruthmann, Socage, Multitel Pagliero, Hinowa, CMC, Leguan Lifts, Dinolift, Platform Basket, Teupen, Böcker, Merlo, Magni, Dieci, JCB, Hoeflon, Almac, Oil&Steel and Cela also play a role.

Even when it comes to specific machine types, customers often compare very different models: Genie GS-1932, Genie GS-2632, Genie Z-45 XC, Genie Z-60 FE, JLG 1930ES, JLG E450AJ, JLG 600AJ, Haulotte Star 10, Haulotte Compact 12, Haulotte HA16 RTJ Pro, Skyjack SJ3219, Skyjack SJ46 AJ, Snorkel S3219E, Dingli JCPT, Dingli BA22ERT, Dingli BA44ERT, Niftylift HR12N, HR17N, HR21 4x4, HR28 4x4, Sinoboom 1018RE, Sinoboom 1218RE, Manitou 160 ATJ+, Manitou 280 TJ, Manitou MT 625 e, Merlo P-Series, Magni RTH, JCB Teletruk or Dieci Apollo.

Ultimately, however, it is not the name on the machine that matters. What matters is whether the working height, reach, load capacity, drive system, unladen weight, ground conditions, access, transport and operation are suitable for the job. This is precisely where Rentit comes in: with advice, a modern hire fleet, nationwide delivery and training courses on working safely with lifting platforms and aerial work platforms. Rentit positions itself as a Swiss specialist in the hire of aerial work platforms, forklifts, telescopic handlers and other lifting equipment; Rentit also offers IPAF operator training for aerial work platforms.

Not every visit to a stand at APEX 2026 led directly to a purchase – and that is precisely what forms part of a sound fleet strategy. Rentit also used the trade fair to nurture existing contacts, compare new generations of equipment and take a closer look at technical developments for future investments.

Among others, the stands of Platform Basket, JLG, Ruthmann, Socage, Zoomlion, Axolift, Teupen and other manufacturers were visited. The focus was on a wide variety of equipment types: tracked aerial work platforms, truck-mounted aerial work platforms, trailer-mounted aerial work platforms, telescopic aerial work platforms, articulated telescopic aerial work platforms, compact personnel lifts, mast-type aerial work platforms, scissor lifts, specialised platforms for indoor use and machinery for hard-to-reach work sites.

Platform Basket was particularly interested in solutions in the field of compact tracked and spider platforms, which play a key role where access routes are narrow, ground conditions are sensitive, or work is carried out around buildings, gardens, courtyards and industrial sites. Teupen also remains a manufacturer in this segment that Rentit follows closely – particularly where great working heights need to be combined with low ground pressure and narrow access routes.

At the JLG stand, the focus was primarily on the further development of classic aerial work platforms: robust telescopic boom lifts, electric articulated telescopic boom lifts, scissor lifts, hybrid solutions and digital fleet management functions. JLG has been one of the leading names in the international aerial work platform market for many years, which is why taking a look at new model ranges, operating concepts and service approaches is a natural part of Rentit’s remit.

Truck-mounted work platforms and vehicle-mounted platforms were also on the agenda. Rentit sought information from manufacturers such as Ruthmann and Socage on the latest solutions for municipal operations, façade work, tree care, building cleaning, maintenance, signage, infrastructure and installation work. Truck-mounted platforms, in particular, are of great interest for many applications because they can be deployed quickly on site, offer long reach and can be used flexibly without the need for separate machine transport.

At Zoomlion, the focus was on international development, new model sizes and the growing range of electric and hybrid machines. The market is changing rapidly, and manufacturers such as Zoomlion, Dingli, Sinoboom and LGMG demonstrate that modern aerial access technology must now be considered from a global perspective. For Rentit, it is important to identify such developments at an early stage, assess them and align them with the requirements of Swiss customers.

The discussion with Axolift was also of interest. Compact personnel lifts, low-level access equipment and small vertical platforms are becoming increasingly important in indoor settings. Where ladders were often used in the past, safer and more efficient solutions are now being deployed – for example, in shopping centres, hospitals, schools, hotels, production halls, warehouses and office buildings.

The discussions at these stands were valuable for Rentit, even if they did not immediately result in a purchase. After all, a modern hire fleet is not built on spontaneous individual decisions, but through ongoing evaluation: Which machine is suitable for Switzerland? What working heights are in high demand? What about service, spare parts, battery technology, transport weight, ease of use, training requirements and cost-effectiveness? It is precisely these questions that Rentit is taking away from APEX 2026 – and will use them to inform future investments in aerial work platforms, lifting platforms, scissor lifts, tracked platforms, truck-mounted platforms, telescopic platforms, passenger lifts and telescopic forklifts.

The trade fair in Maastricht has confirmed the direction in which the industry is heading: more electric powertrains, more compact machines, more all-terrain scissor lifts, more specialised solutions and a greater focus on safety. For Rentit, APEX 2026 was therefore not just a glimpse into the future, but a concrete step towards the next generation of its fleet.

With the Dingli BA44ERT, the Niftylift HR12N, HR17N, HR21 4x4 and HR28 4x4, the Imer IM 5080 UL, the Bravi Leonardo HD, the Sinoboom 1018RE and 1218RE, the Manitou 280 TJ with a 4-metre basket, the Manitou 160 ATJ+, the Manitou MT 625 e and other machines, Rentit is systematically expanding the range of options available to customers in Switzerland.

Whether for interior fit-outs, assembly work, façade work, industrial maintenance, construction site logistics, facility management, steel construction, building services or work on difficult terrain: Anyone looking to hire a work platform, a scissor lift, an articulated telescopic boom lift or a telescopic forklift will find the right solution at Rentit.

Aiming high? Rentit.