It is “business as usual” for Passenger Lift Solutions (PLS) – formerly Passenger Lift Services – after the supplier was purchased from previous owner Mobility Networks by four members of its management team.
That consortium is made up of Managing Director Adam Beck, Sales Director Mike Pitt, Operations Director Paul O’Connor and Production Director Richard Poston. PLS continues to make passenger lifts for coaches and minibuses, the latter in both cassette and inboard configuration. It says that under the new ownership, focus in the medium term will be on the domestic and Irish market.
Mr Beck describes the change of ownership as “a fantastic opportunity” for the business. He says that consolidation of PLS activities to focus on the UK and Ireland will reduce lift lead times to the benefit of both vehicle manufacturers and end customers.
“Currently it is difficult for vehicle suppliers to forecast demand, so for us to be able to provide lifts on a short turnaround is a gamechanger,” Mr Beck continues. Production will continue at the established Smethwick site.
Lift requirements in the UK in relation to certification and ongoing serviceability are significantly different to other territories. That is a factor in the new owners’ decision to focus on domestic business, but Mr Beck does not rule out re-entry into selected overseas markets later.
Although demand for coach lifts has slowed following the government revealing both its plan for a review of PSVAR and a medium-term approach to exemptions from the Regulations, Mr Beck says that there remains a consistent call for coach products. Easing of supply pressures on other items involved in PSVAR is also helping that market.
PLS’s core business remains accessible M2 minibuses. There, constraints on the availability of base vehicles – and particularly the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – are abating and the lift manufacturer is seeing a backlog of demand in that segment.
PLS is also focused on the shift towards battery-electric minibuses and says that it is “well positioned” to capitalise on that moving forward. The business is using new materials to reduce weight and electrical upgrades to minimise energy consumption in that area.
“We are pleased that suppliers and customers remain very supportive of our business under new ownership, and we look forward to continuing to work to make our products even better,” Mr Beck concludes.
