Altec Inc

Category: Lights & Signs

Tools of the Trade: 6 Gift Ideas for Tradesmen and More

Posted on by kphillips

The holiday season is fast approaching. Whether you’re on the hunt for a gift for a lineman or arborist—or you’re looking to treat yourself—check out these gift ideas from Altec. And, keep reading for tools that double as treats for the littlest line enthusiasts in your life.

Fastback Folding Utility Knife Set

Image of Hawkbill Knife

The Fastback Folding Utility Knife Set includes the Fastback Folding Utility Knife with Blade Storage and the Fastback Compact Folding Utility Knife. Both Milwaukee knives feature a press and flip mechanism for easy, one-handed opening.

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Battery-Powered Headlamp

Image of Streamlight Headlamp

The Enduro Pro HAZ-LO is a low-profile industrial headlamp with Class I, Div 1 safety ratings. With flood, spot, and flood/spot combo modes, you can use a single lamp for a variety of jobs.

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5-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench

Image of Streamlight Headlamp

The Milwaukee Lineman’s 5-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench has built-in strike face offered in both milled and smooth, providing you with a dedicated surface for hammering. These wrenches have large directional switches that you can easily press while wearing gloves..

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Premium Leather Gloves

Image of Milwaukee Lineman Wrench

These gloves feature “A” grade cowhide with a rolled hemmed cuff. They also feature a keystone thumb and shirred elastic back.

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150-piece Professional Hand Tool Set

Image of Crescent Tool Set

Crescent mechanics tools are made from chrome alloy steel which is specially formulated and heat-treated for high strength and superior resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Wrenches, ratchets, socket, and drive tools all have a flawless chrome finish to extend tool life. The sockets and the box end of the combination wrenches both feature off-corner loading which reduces fastener rounding.

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Milwaukee Packout Tool Organizer

Image of Milwaukee Packout

The Packout modular storage system is the industry’s most durable and versatile storage system, offering enhanced protection for your tools.

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For the Littlest Linemen

For those not quite old enough (or tall enough) to operate a truck, check out these gifts.

Mini Canvas Tool Bags

Image of Canvas Tool Bucket

While line workers can find plenty of uses for these mini canvas tool bags, children will love to match their parents.

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Diecast or Plastic Toy Trucks

Image of Toy Altec Bucket Truck

The little line enthusiasts will enjoy plastic or die cast trucks. A bucket trick and digger derrick are available in the plastic toys.

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About Altec Supply

Altec Supply offers a wide range of tools and accessories, from the products you need to get the job done to leisure items such as golf balls, coolers and more. Most in-stock orders ship within one business day, getting you the items you need when you need them. To check out more tools and accessories, visit Altec Supply Store to shop our entire Tools and Accessories Catalog. To speak to an Altec representative, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Save on Year-End Equipment Purchases Through Accelerated Tax Deductions

Posted on by kphillips

The end of the year is fast approaching. Now is a great time to take advantage of powerful tax tools that can help you save money while investing in your business: Section 168(k), also referred to as Bonus Depreciation, and Section 179. These sections offer significant tax incentives to promote business growth, allowing you to upgrade equipment while enjoying substantial savings.

Below, learn more about these important tax-saving tools and how qualifying purchases can benefit your business. Qualifying purchases include financed equipment that is placed in service on or before December 31, 2024.

Save with Section 179

Popular among small and medium sized businesses, Section 179 allows businesses to immediately expense qualifying equipment in the year of acquisition. This allowance creates a larger initial deduction and reduces a business’s tax burden in the year the equipment is placed in service.

The maximum amount of Section 179 for 2024 is $1,220,000 on qualified purchases of $3,050,000. Section 179 is reduced dollar for dollar when total equipment purchased exceeds $3,050,000, hitting zero at $4,270,000 of qualifying purchases. In addition, an income limitation limits a business’s Section 179 expense to taxable income, not allowing Section 179 expense to create a tax loss.

If these limits impact your business’s ability to use Section 179, you may still qualify for Bonus Depreciation.

Section 168(k): Bonus Depreciation

Bonus Depreciation is another tool to accelerate expensing of capital expenditures, but without many of the limitations. Bonus depreciation is percentage based, allowing a business to immediately expense a percentage of an asset’s cost before applying normal depreciation.

Businesses can currently expense 60% of the cost of qualified assets. This percentage is only applicable for assets placed in service on or before December 31, 2024. It is scheduled to drop as follows in the coming years:

  • 40% in 2025
  • 20% in 2026
  • and 0% in 2027 and thereafter.

How Much Money Could You Save?

Section 179 and Section 168(k) are valuable tools for businesses seeking to reduce their tax liabilities and invest in growth. To ensure you make the most of these opportunities, it is essential to work with tax professionals who can help you navigate the complexities and confirm your businesses eligibility.

Below, see hypothetical savings possible when utilizing these code sections as compared to normal depreciation.

*The calculations above are an example and not intended to provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor.

Ready to Learn More? Contact Altec Capital Today

If you’re interested in applying these tax benefits to your purchases, our knowledgeable finance experts at Altec Capital are ready to help you find the best options to achieve significant savings.

Altec Capital offers deferrals up to 90 days, aggressive financing rates and a variety of lease options. Altec Capital’s focus is meeting customers’ unique equipment financing needs. Most importantly, financing with Altec Capital is easy. Altec Capital offers a single source solution for all your financing needs, which means no more managing multiple banking relationships.

For more information on Altec Capital’s financing options, call (888) 408-8148 or email finance@altec.com.

5 Truck Accessories That Might Need Replacing

Posted on by kphillips

If you need reliable, high-quality tools and accessories, Altec Supply has what you need to get the job done. Tools and accessories that take more wear and tear than others or items that are critical to safety should be evaluated often and replaced when necessary. Make sure you’re checking these five items.

Outrigger Pads

Our outrigger pads are lighter and stronger than most brands. Built specifically to add support and stability, outrigger pads play a critical role in the safe operation of equipment.

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Wheel Chocks

Designed to prevent accidental movement, Altec Supply’s sturdy chocks are made with heavy-duty rubber to provide superior grip and reliability.

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Platform Covers

Our vinyl-coated, water-shedding cover keeps rain, sleet, and snow out of the platform so your truck is ready to work when you are. Platform covers are available in a variety of configurations.

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Cones

These rugged, brightly colored safety cones are designed for many years of outside use. They’re constructed of fluorescent PVC with two reflective collars.

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First Aid Kit

Don’t underestimate the value of a first aid kit on the jobsite. This white metal first-aid kid is on a bracket that fits a two-man bucket and provides essential items you need for emergency jobsite injuries.

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About Altec Supply

Altec Supply offers a wide range of tools and accessories you need to get the job done. Most in-stock orders ship within one business day, getting you the items you need when you need them. To check out more tools and accessories, visit Altec Supply Store to shop our entire Tools and Accessories Catalog, or call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Explore New Operator Training with Altec’s Virtual Simulator

Posted on by kphillips

If you’re looking to enhance and expand your operator training program, the Altec Virtual Training Simulator is here to take your training to new heights.

The Altec Virtual Training Simulator imitates real-life operation to provide a life-like training experience for operators. It features equipment-specific, hot-swappable control sets including the Altec Optiview joystick controls, providing operators with familiarity of the controls they will use on actual Altec equipment.

Keep Your Equipment in the Field

With the Altec Virtual Training Simulator, you can keep your revenue producing equipment on the job while your operators train on the virtual simulator. The simulator also provides the ability to train in high-risk and dangerous scenarios without the risk—and without wear and tear on your equipment.

Train on Multiple Pieces of Equipment

The simulator is also configurable with a variety of additional equipment, providing an all-in-one training platform. In addition to the Altec digger derrick, available equipment includes:

  • Articulated dump truck
  • Backhoe
  • Boom truck
  • Compact loader
  • Crawler crane
  • Digger derrick
  • Dozer
  • Excavator
  • Forklift
  • Luffing tower crane
  • Mobile crane
  • Motor grader
  • Telehandler
  • Tower crane
  • Wheel loader
  • Wheeled excavator

Start the Conversation Today

For veterans or new hires, the simulator can increase the safety and efficiency of your team. The Altec Virtual Training Simulator is available for purchase or for rent today. To inquire about usage options, contact Altec Sentry at 205.408.8260 or visit altec.com/safety.

6 Best Practices for Bucket Trucks Wheel Chocks Safety and Compliance

Posted on by kphillips

Are your crews using wheel chocks correctly? Keeping your bucket truck from moving unexpectedly while on the job sounds like common sense, but sometimes we underestimate how important the proper wheel chocks are for ensuring reliable stability.

The Importance of Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are wedges placed against a vehicle’s wheels to help prevent unexpected vehicle movement, an especially vital concern for heavy trucks, which can pose significant hazards if not immobilized correctly. When wheel chocks are used properly, they help keep the truck stationary, protecting workers from potentially life-threatening situations.

Wheel Chocks Best Practices

  1. Select the Right Chocks: The type and size of wheel chocks should match the specific vehicle and its wheel diameter. Chocks come in various materials, such as rubber, polyurethane, and metal. Each may have advantages in certain applications and environments. Also, don’t substitute things that aren’t designed/intended to be chocks, like blocks of wood, stones, or concrete blocks.
  2. Number of Chocks: In some scenarios two chocks might not be enough. Drivers and operators should consider whether more than two chocks are needed when parking on steep slopes or when tire to ground contact is reduced.
  3. Positioning: Place the chocks against the center of the tire’ treads to maximize contact. For heavy trucks on level ground, place chocks on both sides of the same wheel to guard against movement in either direction.
  4. Surface Considerations: Ensure the surface where the chocks are placed on a stable, flat surface. Uneven or slippery surfaces can compromise the effectiveness of the chocks. It’s also a good idea to use larger or extra chocks on particularly soft ground,
  5. Application: Apply the parking brake before positioning your wheel chocks. The parking break is the first line of defense in maintaining truck stability, and you should treat wheel chocks as a backup in case it fails.
  6. Inspection and Maintenance: Regularly inspect wheel chocks for wear and damage. Any wheel chock should be replaced if it shows signs of deterioration or damage.

Relevant OSHA Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations concerning the use of wheel chocks for heavy trucks. According to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1), all trucks and trailers must have their wheels chocked when parked to prevent accidental movement during use. Additionally, OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.178(m)(7) requires that powered industrial trucks be chocked while being loaded or unloaded.

These regulations emphasize the critical role of wheel chocks in workplace safety. Failing to comply with these regulations increases the risk of serious injury-causing accidents for workers or legal penalties and increased liability for companies.

Benefits

Proper use of wheel chocks is not just a safety best practice; it is an employer’s responsibility that helps prevent accidents and protect workers. By selecting the right chocks, deploying them correctly, adhering to OSHA guidelines, and offering comprehensive safety training, companies can ensure a safer working environment for everyone involved.

When it’s time to get new wheel chocks for your bucket truck, visit the Supply Store or contact your account manager for more information. If you do not have a Supply account manager, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC to connect with us today.

Also don’t forget you can stay up to date on all the products and accessories you need with our seasonal newsletter. Sign up for Altec Supply’s Tools & Accessories Newsletter to receive our latest product recommendations, as well as information on new products and promotions.

Altec Supply Top-Rated Wheel Chocks:

Rubber Wheel Chock, 9.88 x 7.75 x 5 in, Single
Polyurethane Wheel Chock – 10 x 8.5 in, Single

Which Equipment Financing Option is Right for You? 

Posted on by kphillips

Choosing how to finance your equipment is an important decision. Because each customer’s situation is unique, Altec Capital offers several lease types designed to help customers build their fleet while still reaching financial and operational goals. Below, get to know Altec Capital’s leasing options and see which one might be right for you.

Fair Market Value Lease

The Fair Market Value (FMV) lease is Altec’s most popular leasing option. With the FMV lease, Altec Capital Services is able to minimize the total life-cycle cost, while maximizing the utilization of your entire fleet.

At lease maturity, you may opt to return the equipment and lease a new unit. You can also choose to lease on a month-to-month basis or purchase the equipment at its fair market value.

Advantages of the FMV lease are:

  • Lowest monthly payment
  • Fixed cost of using asset
  • Elimination of resale liability
  • Optimize the economic life of the asset

Best for customers who… want to maximize their free cash flow, want to operate newer equipment, or want to eliminate residual and interest rate risk.

$1 Purchase Option

The $1 Purchase Option, also known as a capital lease, allows you to capitalize the equipment on your balance sheet and take tax benefits associated with the equipment. This leasing option most closely resembles a traditional bank loan.

Advantages of the $1 Purchase Option are:

  • 100% financing
  • Long-term ownership
  • Variety of payment plans including monthly, annual and skip payment plans.

Best for customers who… want advantage of ownership and want to own the equipment outright.

TRAC Lease

The Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause (TRAC) lease guarantees your business a pre-determined residual price when the lease matures with a balloon payment at the end of term.

Benefits of a TRAC lease include:

  • Mitigation of interest rate fluctuations
  • Increases operating capital and free cash flow
  • 100% financing

Best for customers who… want to own the equipment outright with a lower monthly payment than the $1 Purchase Option due to the balloon at the end of the term.

About Altec Capital

Altec Capital’s focus is meeting your unique equipment financing needs. Not only does Altec Capital finance equipment, but it also helps customers manage and maintain their equipment fleet. While its core business is financing Altec products, Altec Capital also offers financing for light duty trucks and other non-Altec, third-party equipment.

Most importantly, financing with Altec Capital is easy. Altec Capital offers a single solution for all your financing needs, which means no more managing multiple banking relationships.

For more information on Altec Capital’s financing options, call (888) 408-8148 or email finance@altec.com.

Reduce Fleet Downtime with Op-Ready

Posted on by kphillips
Image of laptop showing Op-Ready report

Image of laptop showing Op-Ready report

When you’re ready to go to work, make sure your equipment is, too. Op-Ready is a digital report that combines data from telematics and Altec equipment to identify assets that might go down and why. With this report, customers can address issues today to prevent downtime tomorrow.

Maximize the Value of Your Assets

Op-Ready is a digital solution from Altec Fleet Services designed to help you maximize the value of your Altec equipment by reducing unplanned downtime. Op-Ready tracks chassis and unit data to monitor your entire asset and alert you of any issues that might keep you from using the asset to its fullest extent.

Diagnostic trouble codes and other data are translated into easily understood, actionable insights. Op-Ready also delivers OEM notices, recalls and other alerts.

No additional hardware or software is needed on existing connected equipment, and reports can be set up quickly and easily.

Get Personalized Reports

Op-Ready reports are customizable so you can get just the information you need to know. Reports can also be configured to provide a summary of the entire fleet, a subgroup of assets, or for an individual unit.

To generate the report, Op-Ready compares against user preferences. For example, the user can decide what fuel level, tire pressures, or battery level that warrant being notified. Report recipients are also configurable so that different people within your organization can see the right information for them to keep your equipment up and running.

Keep Your Fleet Op-Ready

Technology has changed a lot over the last 95 years, but Altec’s approach to it remains the same—innovate with purpose to improve the experience of our customers. Operational readiness of equipment has never been more important and Op-Ready is the next step in improving uptime by making sure the right people know what action is needed and when. To learn more about Op-Ready and the other advanced solutions, visit the Altec Fleet Services site here, or click the button below to contact our team today.

Contact Us Today

See the Latest in Lights and Signs at ISA

Posted on by kphillips

 

Visit Altec at this year’s ISA International Sign Expo April 10-12 in Orlando, Florida, at booth C1 to see Altec’s industry-leading lights and signs equipment and services. On display this year are the primary models in Altec’s lights and signs lineup, the LS49, LS60, LS87 and AT48S, as well as other new equipment and products designed to help you work safely and efficiently.

New at Altec’s booth this year is the Teupen TL54AJ, available through Global Rental. This compact lift comes standard with a diesel engine paired with an electric motor for both indoor and outdoor applications.

For customers interested in exploring how electric solutions can benefit their business, there will be a unit onsite outfitted with Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System. Combining the benefits of a battery powered aerial with traditional diesel chassis when needed, JEMS allows operators to eliminate emissions—and noise—at the jobsite, creating a safer and efficient working environment.

Altec’s lights and signs product line is designed with features to make an operator’s job safer and more efficient. The LS series material handling attachment allows customers to install a sign from underneath an existing sign to avoid damage to existing signs or buildings. Radio remotes are available to allow for increased visibility, flexibility and safety on the job site.

Get the Tools to Help You Maximize Your Fleet with Altec

At Altec, we understand the unique needs of our lights and signs customers and the challenges they face. That’s why we’re proud to offer products and services that support you and your fleet and let you focus on your business.

In addition to new equipment, Altec offers a wide range of used equipment through Altec NUECO. If you’re not looking to add additional units to your fleet permanently but could use extra equipment for a specific job, Altec provides a rental option through Global Rental Company. Altec also offers disposition services through NUECO and JJ Kane Auctions.

Beyond equipment, Altec offers many products and services to help you maximize your fleet—and your business. Altec Capital, our in-house financing department, is available to assist in custom tailoring financing options designed to help customers acquire their equipment while maximizing free cash flow. With Altec’s nationwide network of shop and mobile service, we’re here to help you keep your equipment online and at work. Altec also offers a wide range of tools and accessories, as well as replacement parts.

To learn more about how Altec can help you reach higher and support you during the life of your lights and signs equipment and beyond, visit our booth C1, or contact us at 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Are You Connected? Four Benefits of Connect

Posted on by kphillips

 

Whether you’re the first owner of your Altec equipment or the fourth or fifth, it’s important that you take the time to sign up for Altec Connect and register your unit.

Altec Connect is an online platform that is designed to give you access to the equipment information you need when you need it. In conjunction with the Altec Supply Store, it is your one stop online shop for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and managing your fleet information.

Below, see four benefits of registering your equipment.

Digitally Access Unit Documents

Misplaced your manuals? Or maybe a member of your service team needs the schematics for a truck currently in the field? Unit-specific materials including manuals, unit schematics and paperwork for Altec-performed inspections are all available digitally in Connect, meaning you have access to all of your paper documentation at anytime from anywhere.

Order Unit-Specific Replacement Parts 24/7

When it’s time to order replacement parts, eliminate the guesswork by ordering through Connect. When you order parts online through Connect, you’re getting the same parts that were used to build your specific unit as listed on your Bill of Materials. While expert members of Altec’s Parts team are available by phone Monday-Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Connect gives customers the ability to order parts online 24/7.

View Important Product Notices

Altec Product Notices are Altec-generated documents that require specific action or provide information about products after they’ve been delivered to you. APN types include a variety of information such as items that require immediate action, items that may require future action, best practices and more.

Receiving and completing APN actions plays a vital role in maintaining your equipment’s efficiency and safety. If you are not the original owner of your equipment, it is especially important to register your equipment and sign up for Connect to ensure you receive these critical equipment updates.

View and Manage Notifications for Service Jobs

As an Altec Connect user, you can keep tabs on open service jobs for your fleet. Within Connect, you can manage notification settings for service job status changes. This self-service feature allows you to set which service job notifications you would like to receive.

Don’t Miss Important Information: Get Connected Today

These features of Altec Connect are free for all users. For more information about all of the features available in Connect, click here. If you’re ready to get connected and start taking advantage of digital information about your fleet, create an account today. If you choose not to sign up for Altec Connect, you can still register your unit to ensure you receive important product notices by clicking here.

Illuminating the Workspace: The Crucial Role of Quality Lighting at Job Sites

Posted on by kphillips

When it comes to optimizing productivity and ensuring a safe work environment, the significance of quality lighting at job sites cannot be overstated. Whether you’re working on a construction site, in a warehouse, on the roadside, or any industrial setting, proper illumination plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, reducing accidents, and fostering better overall working conditions.

Safety First

One of the primary reasons why quality lighting is paramount at job sites is the direct impact it has on safety. Inadequate lighting can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Well-lit workspaces empower employees to navigate through the site confidently, identify potential hazards, and avoid obstacles.

Consider a construction site where workers are moving heavy equipment or navigating complex structures. Insufficient lighting can turn these tasks into potential dangers. Well-placed, bright lights ensure that every step is taken with precision, minimizing the risk of accidents and promoting a secure working environment.

Boosting Awareness and Focus

Quality lighting not only enhances physical safety but also contributes to mental alertness and focus. Proper illumination reduces eye strain, fatigue, and headaches, creating a more comfortable and conducive atmosphere for work. Employees can maintain higher levels of concentration, leading to improved accuracy in tasks and a more efficient workflow.

Meeting Regulatory Standards

Adhering to lighting standards set by regulatory bodies is not just a box to tick; it’s a commitment to the well-being of your coworkers. Quality lighting at job sites ensures compliance with safety regulations, avoiding legal issues and penalties. By investing in appropriate lighting solutions, businesses demonstrate their commitment to providing a secure and compliant work environment.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

In addition to safety and productivity, quality lighting can also contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability. For example, LED lighting not only provides bright and consistent illumination but also consumes less energy, resulting in lower utility bills and a reduced environmental footprint.

It’s important to realize how quality lighting at job sites extends beyond mere visibility. It is a cornerstone of safety, awareness, and overall workplace well-being. Companies that prioritize proper lighting invest in the longevity and success of their business by creating a work environment where employees can thrive.

When you illuminate your workplace with Altec Supply, you’ll discover how light guides the way to a safer and more productive future for your organization and your crewmates. Visit the Altec Supply store today to see our variety of lighting options for indoor and outdoor settings.

Experience Altec’s Lights and Signs Equipment at ISA International Sign Expo 

Posted on by kphillips

Visit Altec at this year’s ISA International Sign Expo April 12-14 in Las Vegas at booth 974 to view our LS49, LS60 and LS87, as well as other industry-leading equipment and accessories. 

 Altec’s lights and signs product line is designed with features to make an operator’s job safer and more efficient. The LS series material handling attachment allows customers to install a sign from underneath an existing sign to avoid damage to existing signs or buildings. Radio remotes are available to allow for increased visibility, flexibility and safety on the job site. With short jacking capabilities, operators can set up in tight spaces and avoid blocking lanes of traffic.  

 “At Altec, our products are designed in close collaboration with our customers” said Nathan Mulcahy, Altec lights and signs market manager. “Our goal is to create a product that meets their needs while allowing them to work safer and smarter in all settings.” 

Experience the Total Altec Value 

Altec is a leading provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets. We deliver products and services in more than 100 countries throughout the world, helping our customers reach higher. 

ln addition to the design, manufacture and sale of highly specialized mobile equipment, Altec works directly with its customers to create solutions to meet their ever-changing needs. If used equipment is more suitable, Altec also offers a used equipment solution through its National Utility Equipment Company, providing previously owned units. Altec Capital, a financing department, is available to assist in custom tailoring financing options designed to help customers acquire their equipment. 

 If a customer is not prepared to add additional units to their fleets permanently but could use extra equipment for a specific job or while another piece of equipment is being serviced, Altec provides a rental option, Global Rental Company, Inc. Altec also offers comprehensive service, as well as a robust range of tools and accessories to complement equipment, and provides equipment disposition services through JJ Kane Auctions, as well. 

“Our goal is to engage with our customers for all of their needs,” Mulcahy said. “From acquisition to service, it’s our priority to establish strong connections to our customers. It’s more than just a sale—it’s a relationship.” 

To learn more about how Altec can help you reach higher and support you during the life of your lights and signs equipment and beyond, visit our booth 974, or contact us at 1-877-GO-ALTEC. 

Altec Offering JEMS Retrofit Solutions

Posted on by kphillips

As the world increases its focus on clean energy, the need for fleet electrification solutions is increasing rapidly. To meet the growing desire for electrification solutions, Altec is now offering JEMS retrofit solutions for approved configurations.

JEMS is the Preferred Solution for Medium/Heavy Duty Fleet Electrification

Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System, or JEMS, provides a method to eliminate idling and reduce noise at the jobsite while still offering customers the benefits of a traditional chassis operation when needed.

Without having to idle the engine at the jobsite, JEMS delivers battery power to auxiliary chassis applications such as cab comfort AC and heat, jobsite tools and electric power take-off (ePTO) for the aerial device. When JEMS is activated, a vehicle produces zero jobsite emissions with zero reduction in performance.

Not only does idling release unnecessary emissions into the environment, but it also creates unnecessary wear and tear on a vehicle—just an hour of idling is equivalent to driving 25 miles. For large fleets, the cost of idling can add up quickly—both environmentally and in dollars and cents spent on maintenance and fuel.

Learn More About Approved Retrofit Configurations

Retrofits are offered for Altec equipment that has already been delivered to the customer. Currently, JEMS S and JEMS SE are available for retrofit on select chassis. JEMS S offers cab comfort, while JEMS SE offers cab comfort and ePTO for service aerial devices. To find out of if your equipment can accommodate a JEMS retrofit, contact your account manager, or call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.  To learn more about JEMS, click here to visit the Green Fleet website.

Maximize Savings With Tax Benefits on Year End Purchases

Posted on by kphillips

The end of the year is fast approaching. Thanks to Section 179 and Bonus Depreciation tax benefits, now is a great time to purchase the equipment your company needs. Below, learn more about these tax benefits and how to maximize your savings while selecting the right equipment for your business.

What Bonus Depreciation Means for End of the Year Savings

Bonus depreciation allows businesses to deduct a more significant percentage of the cost of their purchased assets the year they are acquired instead of depreciating them for years.

Currently, bonus depreciation is at 100%, meaning if you purchase a piece of equipment by the end of the year, you may be able to deduct the full amount of your purchase.

According to the official website of the IRS, bonus depreciation “applies to business property acquired after September 27, 2017, and placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023.”

Starting in 2023, bonus depreciation will be reduced to the following rates:

  • 2023: 80%
  • 2024: 60%
  • 2025: 40%

In order to receive your savings from this deduction, all your equipment must be purchased and put into service by December 31, 2022, at midnight. Due to continued supply chain challenges, consider purchasing or leasing as soon as possible to meet this deadline.

 Financing Options for your Business

If you’re interested in applying these tax benefits to your purchases, our knowledgeable finance experts at Altec Capital are ready to help you find the best options to achieve significant savings. If you want to take delivery at year-end, any equipment purchased through Altec Capital can be secured with no up-front down payment.

Altec Capital Financing offers deferrals up to 90 days, aggressive financing rates and variety of lease options

What Type of Financing Option is Best for Me to Receive Bonus Depreciation?

When choosing financing options, consider capital leases or equipment finance agreements.

Capital Lease 
For accounting purposes, the Capital Lease is treated as if the asset were purchased. This type of lease is similar to an installment purchase and includes a bargain purchase option of $1 at the end of the term. With the same tax treatment as a loan, you can depreciate the equipment while deducting the interest portion of the payment. At the end of the term, there are no sales tax implications since there is no transfer of ownership. Learn more here.

Equipment Finance Agreements
An Equipment Finance Agreement is a loan product that helps increase your overall profitability. An EFA benefits customers who desire immediate equipment ownership yet want to pay for the equipment over an extended period of time. Learn more here.

About Altec Capital

Altec Capital’s focus is meeting customers’ unique equipment financing needs. Not only does Altec Capital finance equipment, but it also helps customers manage and maintain their equipment fleet. While our core business is financing Altec products, Altec Capital also offers financing for light duty trucks and other non-Altec, third-party equipment.

Most importantly, financing with Altec Capital is easy. Altec Capital offers a single source solution for all your financing needs, which means no more managing multiple banking relationships. Altec Capital offers various forms of leasing. Be sure to ask about our signature product, the fair market value lease, which can shorten life cycles and save money, and its innovative e-signature and web-based application process make it easy for customers to obtain financing.

For more information on Altec Capital’s financing options or fourth quarter tax benefits, call (888) 408-8148 or email finance@altec.com.

Extended Warranties and Prepaid Maintenance—Are They Worth It?

Posted on by kphillips

It’s a familiar happening—your phone rings with a call from an unknown number. You answer it, only to be greeted by a message about your car’s extended warranty, and frustratedly hang up the phone.

While extended warranties may have gotten a bad reputation as of late thanks to the endless stream of robocalls, the plans can actually be quite valuable, especially when paired with prepaid maintenance plans.

Altec offers both extended warranties and prepaid maintenance plans. When paired together, these plans help customers better budget for the future, avoid surprises and get the most out of their fleet’s equipment.

About Altec’s prepaid maintenance

Altec’s prepaid maintenance plans cover industry required preventive maintenance, dielectric testing and DOT certifications. Prepaid maintenance is available with the purchase or lease of new equipment. It can also be added at any point throughout the lifecycle of your existing asset. Learn more about prepaid maintenance here.

About Altec’s extended warranty

Even with the best maintenance programs, some unplanned downtime is inevitable. Available on both new and used equipment for up to eight years from the in-service date on most models, an extended warranty is owned and managed by Altec as an extension of Altec’s limited warranty.

Our extended warranty plan protects you from the repair costs associated with defects in materials and workmanship after the standard warranty expires. Learn more about Altec’s extended warranty here.

Prepaid maintenance and extended warranties work best together.

In utility, telecom, construction and other industries where companies operate fleets of specialized equipment, trucks undergo wear and tear on a daily basis. With such high use, breakdowns repairs are unfortunately inevitable.

An investment in a maintenance program encourages routine and proactive service work, meaning any equipment issues can be caught early and repairs can be scheduled accordingly, instead of reactive and expensive breakdown repairs. Adhering to a truck’s maintenance and inspection schedule is a key component of a successful safety program, and is often also required as part of regulatory compliance.

When repairs are needed, Altec’s extended warranty program will help cover costs, reducing the chance of surprise expenses added to your budget.

Altec is here to help.

A fleet manager’s to-do list is a long one and remembering to schedule maintenance doesn’t have to be another item on the list for those with the Altec prepaid maintenance plan. Because different equipment types might have different industry service requirements and maintenance schedules, keeping up with the unique needs of the fleet can be time consuming.

For customers utilizing Altec’s maintenance compliance program, Altec’s team of service professionals will help manage the scheduling for your planned maintenance activities.

The bottom line: Are prepaid maintenance plans and extended warranties worth the cost?

Whether your fleet is large or small, keeping vehicles properly maintained is a time-consuming venture that can turn costly quickly. Repairs on equipment can vary wildly in cost, with the cost of critical component repairs routinely ranging upwards of thousands of dollars. Altec’s prepaid maintenance program will help avoid surprise breakdowns, and with the extended warranty plan, you’ll be covered by the original equipment manufacturer and won’t be faced with a costly repair that wasn’t in the budget.

How Radio Remotes Increase Safety and Efficiency in the Lights and Signs Industry

Posted on by kphillips

In a typical two-man sign install job, distractions can be everywhere. With one man on the ground and one working traditional controls at the base of a crane, communicating over the noise of the machinery can be a challenge. Add in additional challenges that come with working on a potentially active jobsite and the potential for unsafe situations increases.

To combat these situations and help operators work more efficiently, Altec offers radio remotes for its sign crane product line, which includes the LS49, LS60, LS63 and LS87 models.

Improve operator safety and communication

The radio remotes connect wirelessly and allow an operator to get close to a pick, instead of being confined to lower controls at the base of the crane. The controls are metered for precise movement, and the range covers most all jobsites making them easy to connect and use even for newer operators.

“When you’re installing a free-standing sign, you have someone on the ground and someone on the controls working the basket or the crane. You have the roar of the generator going on—there are so many distractions in the field that can strain someone’s focus and cause something potentially unsafe,” said Ryan Drury of Pacific Neon Company. The Sacramento, California, based company fabricates signs that are installed locally or distributed nationwide. “The radio remote allows the person on the ground and the operator to be together and really have communication that improves safety on the jobsite.”

Increased efficiency and flexibility

Being closer to the pick not only improves communication and safety, but also allows operators to work more effectively as they can get the best vantage point of the jobsite. Especially in tight jobsites, the lower controls may not always offer the best view. Improving that vantage point means operators can see exactly where to place the load and get a better feel for the job.

“As far as the effectiveness of the handheld radio, it gives you more than two position options when you’re setting a sign or up in the air doing service,” said Brandon Harbin, production manager at Pacific Neon “It’s not always ideal to be up in the air with the sign, nor on the deck yelling down to someone with noise. The remote gives you a ‘third person’ aspect where you’re there right in the middle in the perfect spot.”

Innovation to improve the industry

The equipment used in the sign industry is pretty straight forward, Drury said, which most operators view as a positive. When innovation comes, it has to be well thought out to be a success. Radio remotes are easy to connect and easy to use functionally, making them a successful innovation in the sign industry.

“Remote control in the sign industry is very cool,” Drury said. “You don’t have a lot of frills in what we do—it’s very simplistic and cut and dry. To have that ability is really next generation for the sign industry.”

For more information on how radio remotes can benefit your fleet, contact your account manager, visit us online, or call 1-877-GO-ALTEC

Need Help? Please contact us at 1-877-GO ALTEC, option 1.

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Altec Inc.

210 Inverness Center Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242-4834
Phone (205) 991-7733
Fax (205) 408-8601

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