The UK mobile elevating work platform rental market (MEWP) stagnated in 2025
10. 01. 26Publication: Construction Manager Online
Date: September 16, 2026
Construction Manager Online cited Ducker Carlisle in a September 2026 piece covering the International Powered Access Federation’s 2026 Rental Market Report, which was written in partnership with Ducker Carlisle. The report found the UK mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) rental market stagnated in 2025, with rental revenue falling one percent to £477 million and fleet size dropping 1.1 percent to 9,702 units.
The Ducker Carlisle analysis shows average fleet utilisation held steady at 64 percent while rental rates slipped 0.6 percent for the period. Cross-hire activity grew 7.5 percent in 2025, up from 3.9 percent in 2024, pointing to an increasingly competitive environment with providers optimising their fleets to improve utilisation and reduce equipment downtime. Mobile elevating work platform use in construction rose slightly, up three percent to 52 percent of overall usage. The average fleet retention period fell to nine years and two months, down from 10.5 years in 2024, reflecting both a renewal cycle and the growing penetration of Asian-imported platforms at lower price points.
The report projects a market recovery in 2027, with revenue predicted to increase four percent to £496 million. Rental companies remain cautious about expanding their fleets as wider economic instability continues to affect the pipeline of new construction projects.
Read the full article on Construction Manager Online: https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/mewp-rental-market-stagnates-in-2025-ipaf-report-finds/
Source: Construction Manager Online | September 16, 2026