HEIGHT OF SUCCESS

Accessman has established high-performing opportunities in Auckland and elsewhere

Starting a business from scratch is always a leap into the unknown, even when it’s a franchise. But what if the franchisor is so confident that they’ve done all the hard work for you, setting up the business, getting the right equipment in place and bringing a solid base of customers on board? That’s what Accessman has done in Auckland, and it means that there are three very solid businesses looking for franchisees in West and South Auckland, and the North Shore.

Accessman is the country’s leading hire business specialising in Elevated Working Platforms (EWP) which make it possible for workers in all sorts of industries to operate safely at height. Over eight branches across the country, Accessman has close to 1200 scissor lifts, knuckle booms, cherry-pickers, telescopic boom-lifts, telehandlers and other access technology, all meticulously maintained with many being the latest and safest of their type.

With growing awareness of the risk of workplace accidents and the continual upgrading of safety legislation, business is booming.

Audited evidence of growth

Accessman was founded in Christchurch by Ross Pickersgill when he bought his first scissor lift in response to the Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 and rented it out when not in use. The company grew steadily until 2009, when Lena Harrington, an experienced construction industry executive, was recruited as finance/marketing manager, becoming general manager four years later. Since then business has quadrupled.

‘What attracted me to Accessman was the increasing focus on worker, workplace and public safety,’ she says. ‘Accessman already had an enviable reputation for integrity, reliability and service, and we have built on that. We jumped Cook Strait to establish the West Auckland branch in 2017, followed by South Auckland in 2019 and North Shore in 2020. Now that they have been through the bedding-in period, we can provide audited evidence of growth in this high-return sector and the time has come to find franchisees.’

Huge pipeline of work

Lena says that while some sectors might be suffering from economic jitters at the moment, that’s not reflected in the huge pipeline of work for Accessman in Auckland and throughout the country. ‘Our business model has a robust foundation, proven over many years, of not putting all our eggs in one basket. We have a wide range of mainly commercial clients which includes large, well-established and highly-reputable construction companies. Their work includes government-funded projects and public-private partnerships, as well as major private sector projects.

‘Each franchise is a supercharged turn-key opportunity with everything in place including a defined territory, EWP equipment, qualified maintenance and other staff, fully-equipped workshops and longterm yard leases. They are up, running and working well, and ready for franchisees to come in and use their local knowledge and connections to grow their business even further.’ The investment ranges between $1.8 and $3 million and, as asset-based businesses, franchisees can enjoy the advantages of high depreciation levels on equipment.

Skin in the game

Because of the level of investment, Lena says a franchisee can be two or more people, or an individual who has bank support or other investor backing. ‘While EWP experience is not necessary, the franchisee must be a hands-on owner-operator with skin in the game, as well as demonstrable management and interpersonal skills. What we don’t want is an investor planning on employing a manager.

‘The investment in Accessman includes full franchisee business and external safety training, marketing materials, franchise manuals, operating systems, proprietary software and ongoing support. This includes helping establish relationships with existing clients within the franchise territory.

‘Of course, woven into the very fabric of Accessman is our commitment to safety. As an advisor to the Hire Association on Codes of Practice, we employ full time operator trainers, delivering either Silvercard or the internationally-recognised IPAF Operator Training to anyone currently using or wanting to ensure that their operators are “deemed competent”.’

We love coming to work

While Auckland is a prime target, Lena is equally keen to hear from those elsewhere in New Zealand with the resources and commitment to safety to buy an existing branch or establish a greenfield territory.

In 2020 Cam Knight and his wife Anna bought Accessman Blenheim. New Zealand-born Cam previously worked in the UK oil and gas industry, where he became only too aware that most serious oil rig injuries and deaths were falls from heights. Accessman is in a position to make a difference.

‘Accessman is a strong brand backed by robust systems, and there is no cutting corners – something our customers appreciate as much as we do. All our EWP machines are top spec and really well looked after. Our clients are great, and I’ve developed strong friendships with my fellow franchisees. Growth is ahead of projections, enabling us to buy out a competitor. Put it this way – we love coming to work and I can’t see that changing.’

Lena concludes: ‘With so much work available, now is the time to take your career to new heights of financial and personal success. Give me a call and let’s talk.’

Advertiser Info

Accessman

www.accessman.co.nz

Contact Lena Harrington

M 021 361 622

lena@accessman.co.nz

Providing a vital service