Market Introduction

The global scissor lift market was valued at USD 3.40 billion in 2023 and grew at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2033. The market is expected to reach USD 6.68 billion by 2033. The rising building and construction activities will drive the growth of the global scissor lift market.

A scissor lift is a type of AWP equipment that seeks to offer safe and stable elevated access to workers and common equipment in industries, construction, and maintenance realms. It works on scissor like folding fashion in which the platform can be made to move up and down vertically. It is operated by hydraulic, pneumatic or electric control system and is characterized by smooth, powerful and stable operation. The scissor lifts are particularly suitable for places at higher elevated which are either challenging or even hazardous to climb using a ladder or erect a scaffold. Such places can be where painting, electrical work, facility maintenance and construction are to be done. The traveling height of a scissor lift is restricted and the block’s platform has guard rails for the security measure and often features an additional operational deck that is expandable. They are available in different types and shapes depending on the size and weight it can handle for indoor purposes, outdoor with difficult terrains and for large loads. They are further distinguished by type: electric scissor lifts and rough-terrain scissor lifts. In terms of external features, scissor lifts feature the potential to transport several workers together with tools and materials, which will increase efficiency. They also offer a stable ground, as opposed to other access forms that pose certain probability of falls.

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Recent Development

• Haulotte's new HS18 E MAX rough terrain electric scissor lift can drive around your job site at full height and weight. Haulotte has added the new HS5390 E MAX to its line of electric rough-terrain scissor lifts, rounding out the company's current HSE (HS electric) scissor lift lineup. The HS18, on the other hand, is unusual, and not just because it stands 18 meters tall when fully extended. The HS18 E MAX can be driven either fully stretched or fully loaded.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

The increasing building and construction activities – Rising construction as well as infrastructural development is one of the many factors that contribute to the increasing need for scissor lifts. As more people move into cities, construction of both residential and commercial buildings is on the rise in the world and many use heights in construction. Compared to conventional means of getting workers and materials to the upper floors or other difficult to access sections of constructions, scissor lifts are less hazardous and more effective, making them absolutely essential in constructions. This has been compounded by growth of smart cities, high rise buildings, and large complex structures such as bridges, highways and airports among others. Scissor lifts also play a critical role in activities like façade fixing, window washing, electrical fixing, and air conditioning system repair among other services on very high buildings. It increases their production capacity and shortens project completion time through their unique ability to evacuate several workers and pieces of equipment at the same time. In addition, they are more secure than conventional scaffoldings or ladders and thus contribute toward minimizing incidences of accidents within construction projects. Therefore, the increasing building and construction activities will contribute to the market’s growth.

Restraints

High initial costs – The most significant barrier to the adoption of scissor lifts is its high acquisition costs, making it expensive for most organisations especially the SMEs and companies operating in the developing economies. Scissor lifts, especially advanced versions that may be used for heavy duty work or have a specialized function, can be costly. Costs vary depending on size, capacity, power type of either electric or hydraulic, and additional safety features, or ability to extend past the standard height of the vehicle. But for small businesses with limited capital, one of the biggest let downs is the fact that owning a scissor lift requires a large initial capital. Purchasing a scissor lift as a new equipment may not be a good idea for industries that require equipment to be used for only sometime or for certain small size projects as compared to the cost involved it can be much cheaper to use other methods such as ladders or even scaffolding. Additionally, while the purchase cost of an equipment can be estimated, other costs like transport and installation, insurance and the cost of maintaining the equipment can also be very expensive, hence a burden to businesses.

Opportunities

Technological advancements – The increase in density in modern cities has created many high rise building, both commercial and residential, all of which have a lot of electrical wiring, A/C, windows and façade that need constant checking and servicing. Maintenance tasks more often than not require work at height and scissor lifts have offered a more stable platform for such work. Advances in the manufacture of scissor lifts especially the electric or battery scissor lifts have also continued to influence their use in the urban settings. Electric lifts take less time to install, are not noisy, do not produce any pollution and consume less power which makes them suitable for use in the commercial buildings, especially inside the buildings. Altogether with the technological progression, they are one of the most effective and environmentally friendly to support the augmenting urban structure as well as to guarantee security and safety of workers and equipment. Therefore, technological advancements will contribute to the market’s growth during the forecast period.

Segment Analysis

Regional segmentation analysis

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. North America emerged as the most significant global scissor lift market, with a 35% market revenue share in 2023.

North America has the largest market for scissor lift because of reliable infrastructure, high demand for construction and maintenance, and a strong emphasis on safety measures. Some of the biggest and most complex construction projects in the world occur in the United States and Canada, including tall buildings, large commercial and industrial structures that demand reliable and convenient access to-heights. Given an increased focus on urban construction activities and given the high-rise building structures, scissor lifts are effectively used for construction and maintenance jobs. Also, the North American market is supported by impressive industry regulation insisting on the safety of employees. Another factor is the availability of rental services. Scissor lifts can be rented to avoid hefty costs of purchasing them. Many equipment rental companies are situated throughout North America making it easier for industries which have changing requirements to access these scissor lifts. Also, the important manufacturers of scissor lifts are located in North America which explains why the region has a big market share globally.

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• Genie, a leader in the aerials business, has introduced a new, future-oriented design for its core slab scissor lift product line. The business has increased the performance and reduced the total cost of ownership of Next-Generation Genie scissor lifts GST-1932, GS-2632, GS-3232, GS-2646, GS-3246, and GS-4046. A significant modification in the shape of a curved linkage design reduces machine weight, allowing Genie to employ right-sized components for lower replacement part costs.

Type Segment Analysis

The type segment is divided into electric scissor lifts and rough terrain scissor lifts. The electric scissor lifts segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 67% in 2023. The dominance of electric scissor lifts is mainly due to its versatility. Electric scissor lifts are less noisy and come with no emissions and are more energy conserving as compared to gas or diesel operated lifts. These lifts are especially used where the air quality, noise and environmental considerations are an important factor such as hospitals, malls, residential spaces and offices. Also, the electric models are normally smaller and more manageable within tight areas, which is very important especially for tasks such as stocking, repair and installation in others facility with stories. They are easier to maintain and cheaper than gas-powered lifts. This makes them ideal for businesses that want to minimize operating costs. In addition, technological developments in battery life and charging infrastructure has improved electric scissor lifts making them more efficient. Electric scissor lifts also target rising trends and initiatives in sustainability and provide compliance with present and future standards. Increased demand for eco-friendly practices is bound to drive companies to shift to electric scissor lifts as they are more sustainable than the existing machinery and hence take up most of the market.

• Mohawk Lifts has created a new lifting table, the SLT-2500. This new lifting table can raise up to 2,500 pounds, up from the company's previous 2,000-pound lifting capacity. Mohawk Lifts' SLT-2500 lifting table is designed to facilitate gearbox or differential maintenance, as well as vehicle EV battery service.

Platform height Segment Analysis

The platform height segment is divided into low-level lifts and high-level lifts. The high-level lifts segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 56% in 2023. The usage of high-level lifted scissor lifts has dominated in the scissor lift market due to its ability to provide access to critical elevations which are essential in construction, maintenance as well as storage and handling of goods among other sectors. The high-level lifts which can work up to platform heights of 30 feet and above are useful in activities such as the building facade work, ceiling installations, lighting maintenance and large-scale construction work. This is especially so because the construction of tall buildings has rapidly increased within skyline cities and it can be for this reason that high-level lifts are almost the norm.  These lifts offer a strong, secure and raised stage where multiple workers and necessary tools can be transported.

• Manitou Group has announced the debut of a new line of scissor lifts in order to deliver novel models in the most important section of the market, resulting in a comprehensive range of self-propelled aerial work platforms. Manitou Group, a European pioneer in the aerial work platform industry with a diverse variety of articulated and telescopic models, is expanding its offering with the introduction of new scissor lifts. This line, which now has two models, the SE 0808 and SE 1008, with operating heights of 8m and 10m, will be expanded later this year to add a 12m model (SE 1212). These devices are the result of the Group's extensive experience developing innovative, safe equipment that improves user performance.

End user industry Segment Analysis

The end user industry segment is divided into construction and warehousing and logistics. The construction segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 54% in 2023. The construction industry is a leading market for scissor lifts due to the unrelenting demand for access solutions to carry out tasks at height. In construction work, scissor lifts prove useful when it comes to requirements of installation of façade, cleaning of windows, arrangement of electrical systems, and maintenance works on exterior walls in buildings with numerous floors. This comes with increased urbanization and increasing need for work in residential, commercial and infrastructure areas, this has led to increased demand for aerial work platforms such as the scissor lifts. These lifts give employees a platform where they can work at a variety of heights with far less risk than from conventional scaffolding or ladders. Further growth of high-rise structures, smart buildings, and other such complex structures like airports, bridges, roads etc have added more demand of scissor lifts in construction. These lifts ensure quick and safer means of working at higher levels since time and efforts required to transport workers and materials to the upper floors can be enormously reduced. Moreover, scissor lifts can hold several people and equipment at the same time meaning efficiency of workers on construction projects.

• JLG Industries, Inc., a global leader in mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, has introduced a new electric scissor lift to their fleet. The product improves performance capabilities, uses application-driven design, and provides full lifecycle support to its operators. To improve the user, experience even further, JLG used consumer feedback to improve essential aspects of the device, such as fold-down rails for simplicity of use and maneuverability. Maximized performance is demonstrated by over 50% more duty cycles than the preceding R4045 Electric Scissor Lift, as well as the use of parts commonality, fewer hoses and fittings, and a single lift cylinder, resulting in lower maintenance requirements.

Some of the Key Market Players

• Aichi Corporation
• Altec Industries, Inc.
• Genie (Terex Corporation)
• Haulotte Group
• JCB
• JLG Industries, Inc.
• LGMG (Lingong Machinery Group)
• Manitou Group
• MEC Aerial Work Platforms
• Ruthmann GmbH & Co. KG
• Skyjack (Linamar Corporation)
• Snorkel (Doosan Group)
• Tadano Ltd.
• Toyota Industries Corporation
• XCMG Group

Report Description

• Market Introduction
• Market Dynamics
• Segment Analysis
• Some of the Key Market Players