Chinese manufacturer Sinoboom -making its first appearance at APEX - is using the show to attract dealers and is in talks with one Netherlands company to become its Benelux representative.

Sarah Yi, sales representative at the company, told Access International that Sinoboom hoped to finalise an agreement with a local partner after the close of the show.

This is the second time Sinoboom has exhibited in Europe following its first appearance at Bauma last year. Ms Yi said the company has received CE marking for all of its products, including the 6 m, 8 m and 10 m electric scissor lifts show in Maastricht.

The company is one of the largest access platform manufacturers in China. It currently has a production capacity of around 400 units a year, but is now investing in a much larger facility in Changsha, which will boost its capacity to around 2000 machines annually.

"We are working three shifts now but cannot meet demand", said Ms Yi.

Sinoboom aims to move to the new, 200000 m2 facility before the end of next year. As well as increasing production capacity, Ms Yi said the new factory would allow Sinoboom to move into new products, including crawler/atrium lifts and rough terrain telehandlers.