Category: News Articles

Linemen are used to battling the elements—heading out to do their job when many are tucked safely in their homes.

“What you can do during the daylight during a nice, sunny day, you have to be able to do at 2 a.m. when the wind is blowing and it’s snowing,” said Matt Hegarty, superintendent at Fairport Electric. “You have to do your job under any condition at all times, and you have to do it well.”

Doing the job well requires not only skill but also reliable equipment. Fairport electric utilizes a fleet of Altec trucks to help keep the lights on when their community needs them most.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, it brought a new challenge for these linemen to take on—a higher volume of work with new pandemic protocols changing all aspects of their job.

A New Way of Life

During the early days of the pandemic and shutdowns, the volume of work for Fairport Electric rose exponentially. One of 46 electric municipalities in the state of New York, Fairport Electric serves around 18,000 customers across 26 square miles—many of whom were now working and learning in their homes full time.

“Trying to get a schedule to line up where everyone is willing to let you shut their power off when every kid is on a Zoom call … this made it really difficult, and we had to find alternative ways to do what we needed to do,” said line foreman Brent Losey.

Fairport Electric did just that, though—finding ways to keep the lights on and keep their customers connected in a new world.
“We had to create ways to keep the power on,” Hegarty said. “Even during COVID, the poles had to be replaced. Jobs had to happen. We couldn’t just stop.”

Navigating Pandemic Protocols

Fairport Electric was not only facing larger than normal demand, but also new safety protocols to mitigate and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

The power company’s 18 linemen were divided into groups. The groups were to remain completely separated with typically only one group working at a time, ensuring that if one group was exposed to the virus, there were still healthy teams ready to keep the lights on.

“We had to take our fleet and divide it into thirds and say, ‘This group is going to this garage; this group is going outside,’” said Hegarty. “We didn’t interact between each other, and we sanitized the trucks at the end of every shift.”

Serving the Community Together

Despite the challenges that come with the profession, pandemic or not, Losey wouldn’t have it any other way than working as a lineman at Fairport Electric.

“I come here and give my heart and soul to this place, and I go home at the end of the day and give that to my family,” Losey said. “This is a really great job, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Altec takes our support of the electric utility industry seriously, and we are proud to support customers like Fairport Electric who impact their community so greatly. At Altec, our focus continues to be meeting the needs of this industry with products and services that keep the operators that use our equipment safe and productive.

Just as our customers are committed to serving in all conditions, we’re committed to doing our part to help the best way we know how—by listening and working together to make a tangible difference in the lives of both our customers and communities at large.

Some say we deliver equipment. But we deliver far more than that. We deliver the spirit of possibility. Altec equipment can be found just about anywhere in the world, doing everything from restoring power to installing 5G towers or even putting up theater signs in the middle of a busy downtown street.

While our trucks signify the essential work our customers do to keep our communities going, they also represent the hard work our associates put into designing and manufacturing these units. When our equipment performs, when it pulls its weight on a job site, it does so because our people pulled their weight at Altec and because our customers pulled their weight in the field.

And what happens when Team Altec sees these trucks in the field? We sat down with a few of our associates at our Roanoke location to find out.

Keeping the Lights On

Anthony Wade, a manufacturing associate, says both he and his 13-year-old son enjoy seeing Altec trucks out and about. For his son, it’s a moment of pure excitement, but for Anthony, it’s a sense of accomplishment and pride in the equipment he builds every day.

“It really makes me feel good to be a part of this company, that I can help in storms and things like that, and make sure that we get lights on,” Wade said.

Seeing the Big Picture

Sarah Lubash, group lead over dress out, a section of finish near the end of a truck’s completion, has been at Altec for five years. Sarah says seeing Altec trucks out working helps her realize the impact her work has for the company overall.

“It’s fun not only seeing the trucks that we build here at this location, but also trucks that are built in other locations, just so you can understand the gravity of the business,” she said.

Customer First

Dan Taylor, a Stock Room Group Leader, looks to see the Altec logo on every truck he sees. Dan wants to know Altec is helping both our customers and the people they serve.

“I want to see the Altec logo somewhere on that truck, so I know we’re taking care of the order, we’re taking care of the customer, that’s taking care of their customer to get the job done,” Dan said.

Altec Careers

At Altec, we know if we put our minds and hearts and backs into something, we can do anything. We care about people. We look after each other.

And no matter where we go, across the nation or the globe, we know one thing holds true: our equipment, our services, and our solutions are used to advance our communities and improve other people’s lives.

Does a career at Altec seem like the right fit for you? If you’re interested in joining Team Altec, check out our current job openings here.

Altec Capital makes financing simple by channeling all of your information and communications directly to our team. Unlike working with your local bank or lending service, at Altec, everything from your initial inquiry to your application and lease documents can be filled out and signed online.

Wondering how this works? Check out five ways Altec Capital and DocuSign make financing equipment easy and efficient.

1. Customize Your Process to Fit Your Team’s Needs 

Our team can tailor your documents to pass through multiple reviewers and signers when reviewing your financing paperwork. All parties you would like to include will receive an email with the electronic link to approve and sign your documents online.

Altec Capital can also send final copies to a pre-determined list of emails for your records.

2. Access and Sign Your Paperwork from Anywhere

Whether you’re in the office or traveling, DocuSign allows you to access & sign the encrypted, tamper-proof documents from your computer, smartphone or tablet.

With your digital paperwork so easily accessible, you and all of your team members will be able to go through the financing process quickly.

According to DocuSign, “80% of agreements signed with DocuSign eSignature are completed in less than a day.”
Should you choose to create a DocuSign account, you’ll have access to copies of fully executed documents stored within your account.

3. Keep Track of the Financing Process, from Start to Finish

Stacks of paperwork can make financing unorganized and hard to keep up with, especially when including multiple people. DocuSign gives you and Altec Capital a comprehensive audit trail showing who, when and where, your documents were signed.

4. Maintain Full Compliance with Security and Legal Standards

When you sign documents with DocuSign, you can know you are meeting all security and legal requirements. DocuSign is fully compliant with the Federal E-sign Act and other regulatory measures aimed at protecting you, your business and your identity.

5. Save Time and Money

With DocuSign, mail fees are a thing of the past. Since the entire process is digital, there’s no need for printing and mailing your documents back to us. Once signed, your documents are then routed back to Altec Capital for final review and our signature.

Full Turnkey Service

Not only does Altec directly provide your equipment and financing, but we also offer a complete portfolio of services that span the life of your equipment. Altec is here to support you every step of the way with service, rental, safety training, tools, parts, fleet management and more. Our fleet management services, including telematics, can be included in your monthly lease payment to make billing easier.

• The Altec Service, the industry’s most extensive fleet of mobile service vehicles and technicians covering both the entire United States and parts of Canada
• Altec Sentry, our technical support and training organization offers operator training for a wide range of equipment
• Altec Connect, a one-stop supply shop for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and more for your equipment
• Global Rental Company, our rental solution, offering the widest range of equipment solutions in the market with flexible terms, “in-house” financing and rent-to-own options
• Altec Fleet Services, provides proven fleet management solutions focusing on the objectives most important to you: safety, compliance, performance and economics

Why Choosing Altec Capital Matters

Financing with Altec Capital delivers advantages when you purchase, rent, or lease equipment.

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

Thank You to our Customers, Line Crews, Operations and Fleet Managers

On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph, made landfall on the Louisiana coast. In its wake, the devastating storm left the state with catastrophic flooding and wind damage.

Before the storm hit, thousands of men and women working in the electric utility industry prepared for the massive loss of utility service bound to happen with a storm as large as Ida. Following the hurricane, more than one million Louisiana residents were left without power.

After the Storm

We interviewed our customers to learn more about what it’s like to be on the ground working recovering the destruction left behind by Hurricane Ida.

Here’s what they had to say:

Joe Boggs, a Fleet Manager for CA-PAR Electric, said the amount of trees, collapsed houses, trailers, overturned tractor trailers and flooding was “Catastrophic.”

For Joe and his crew, sleeping in their trucks and working around the clock is the norm.

“We’re working 16-hour days, seven days a week just trying to help out,” Joe said.

Bobby Dungan, a Right of Way Coordinator for South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (SLECA) described Hurricane Ida as, “One of the worst storms I’ve seen in 26 years.”

Because the storm damage is so severe, Bobby and his team will be out working in the field for a few months. While he says this is what he and his fellow linemen signed up for, it’s still difficult to be away from loved ones for so long.

“That’s the worst part of this kind of work, being away from your family,” Bobby said.

Thank You, Utility Professionals

Linemen, operations professionals and fleet managers are the lifeblood of emergency response teams in areas affected by storms. Arriving at their work areas at all hours and in all types of weather, these individuals are true heroes.

For the line crews tasked with storm recovery, challenges such as severe weather, less than ideal sleeping conditions, physically demanding work, and being away from family and friends for extended periods of time were inevitable. These skilled linemen safely repaired damaged structures, utility lines, signs and street lights.

Thank you to our customers, those who operate our equipment to restore utility services, operations teams, fleet managers and the countless other professionals who worked to get things up and running again in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

We see you and are grateful for everything you do and have done to serve those who depend on your utilities for their everyday needs.

Supporting the Industry

Altec takes our support of the electric utility industry seriously. We work to understand the difficulties linemen and other storm recovery professionals face so we can continue to build a better product. We strive to keep the operators that use our equipment safe and productive.

We know the equipment we manufacture and support is more than just a product; it has the potential to keep communities safe and businesses running. Each Altec associate plays a vital role in making sure our equipment is built for safe and efficient work in the field.

Whether we are welding steel, assembling units, designing new safety features, or testing equipment, we work to reach higher, to build our trucks to the highest standards for the people that serve our communities.

At the end of the day, we understand what we do goes beyond just equipment or parts. It’s helping the best way we know how – by listening and working together to make a tangible difference in the lives of both our customers and communities at large.

How to Manage Service Job Notifications

Altec Connect provides individuals and teams with a focused experience that allows our customers to view and search fleet information, view Altec Product Notices, order replacement parts, tools, supplies, and more.

Let’s take a look at the most recent update inside Altec Connect, managing service job status notifications.

As an Altec customer, you can now manage notification settings within your Altec Connect account for Service Job status changes. This self-service feature allows you to set which Service Jobs notifications you would like to receive.

Customers can now also confirm where they would like to receive their notifications by setting the email or enabling a phone number in their account Info.

Notifications can be managed from both an individual Service Job perspective and from a fleet perspective under the Work Flow tab of the Notifications page in My Account.

 

 

Customers that have the System Administrator role may also assign settings for other members in their company on their behalf on the respective Service Job Details page using the “Manage Subscribers” feature.

Altec Connect allows a user to look up a wide array of information about their customer account. Keep in mind – different user roles control what a user can and cannot see. A user can be assigned predefined roles for common use cases, or a custom role may be created to accommodate any use case a user may have.

Interested in learning more about what equipment information you can see?

Check out these site features:

Unit-specific information:

• Altec product notices
• Electrical and hydraulic schematics
• Operator and maintenance manuals
• Parts pages and schematics
• Pre-delivery photos

Replacement parts:

• Validate part usage per specific unit BOM
• Check parts inventory availability
• Order parts by part number
• Track orders online

Service information:

• Check service job status
• Service history
• View and print invoices

Altec connect offers you easy access to Altec Supply and more, to order:

• Tools
• Supplies
• Accessories
• Replacement parts
• And to manage your fleet information

To learn more about these Altec Connect features– contact your representative or send an email to altec.connect@altec.com.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, many companies are already thinking about potential savings through tax deductions, specifically bonus depreciation.

Check out these tips below to help you figure out how to maximize your savings while selecting the right equipment for your business needs.

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%

Overall, if taken advantage of, this favorable depreciation deduction will deliver tax-saving benefits to many businesses in 2021.

Consider the Timing of Your Purchase

In order to receive your savings from this deduction, all your equipment must be purchased and put into service by December 31, 2021, at midnight. With the continued pandemic, it’s important to note supply chain issues are still widespread. Deliveries are taking longer than expected, leaving many customers unsure whether or not it is the right time to buy. To avoid any uncertainty, we recommend purchasing or leasing your equipment as soon as possible.

Think about Different Types of Equipment you Need 

Buying equipment that is already in stock can also help alleviate any worries regarding end-of-year delivery.

Based on your budget and needs at the jobsite, Altec has several used and new pieces of equipment available for:

• Electric Utility
• Transmission/Construction
• Lights and Signs
• Telecom
• Tree Care/Forestry

Keep in mind, bonus depreciation is currently offered at 100%. This option is only available for a limited time and is available for both new and used equipment.

 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
• A variety of lease options

What type of financing option is best for me to receive Bonus Depreciation?

• Capital Lease
• Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA)

Using a tax lease in the 4th quarter is a great way to take advantage of Altec Capital’s best rates of the year. As a reminder, all qualifying assets will need to be financed and placed in service by December 31 at midnight.

Call (888) 408-8148 or email finance@altec.com if you have any questions about Altec Capital lease options or 4th quarter tax benefits.

If anyone knows the meaning of hope, community and perseverance, it’s Kinsey Simatos.

Kinsey, a Quality Engineer at Altec, was diagnosed with Stage Four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2019, right before she graduated college at Iowa State. Having already interned at Altec twice, Kinsey had been offered a job at the company’s Midwest location and was set to start work in January 2020.

Because of her cancer diagnosis, she knew she would not be able to start work at that time. After hearing the news, Altec told Kinsey they would hold her job for her, even before she started chemotherapy.

“I told the company I’m not going to be able to make it right away. They said, ‘That’s fine, we’ll wait. That’s no big deal at all.’ There was no pressure, no, ‘Hey, when are you coming back?’ ” Kinsey said.

Altec stayed in close contact with her during treatment and recovery, something she still remembers fondly.

“They worked with me on the entire process. I got flowers from plant managers. My boss was checking in on me quite often, so that was a pretty amazing support to have,” she said.

Beyond her cancer diagnosis and recovery, Kinsey says she enjoys the friendships and continuous support she’s found while working at Altec, even meeting her fiancé at the company.

“It’s also great to work for a company that cares about your family, cares about your work-life balance and also encourages you to have fun while you’re at work. They say every company has family in their values, but Altec actually holds that true,” said Kinsey.

When asked what her reaction is to seeing an Altec truck out in the world, she says she feels an immense sense of pride.

“I helped build that truck. I’m helping lineman and people do the jobs that they need to do to keep our infrastructure running,” Kinsey said.

And her favorite Altec value? People Are Our greatest Strength.

“You don’t realize how important the knowledge of the team around you is until you’re in the thick of a problem and you have to solve it, right? Chances are there’s somebody out there that knows how to solve that problem,” Kinsey said.

Altec Careers

If you enjoy working in a team being challenged, Kinsey says this is the place for you.

At Altec, we know if we put our minds and hearts and backs into something, we can do anything. We care about people. We look after each other.

And no matter where we go, across the nation or the globe, we know one thing holds true: our equipment, our services, and our solutions are used to advance our communities and improve other people’s lives.

Does a career at Altec seem like the right fit for you? If you’re interested in joining Team Altec, check out our current job openings here.

At the 2021 Utility Expo (formerly known as ICUEE), Altec showcased a wide variety of products and services that support the electric utility industry. This show occurs every two years in Louisville, Kentucky and welcomes utility professionals, construction contractors and others looking to learn more about the latest industry innovations, technologies and trends.

Show attendees have the opportunity to network with their peers, learn utility industry best practices and talk to product experts.

At Utility Expo, our customers visited Altec’s booth, saw demos and equipment and met with the teams that build and support our products. The demos included the AC65E-155S, the JEMS LE (AA55E), the AH100B and an overview of Altec’s Fleet Services offering.

During the day, Altec was one of the largest exhibitors at the Utility Expo. The new Altec structure at Lot E offered a relaxing atmosphere with refreshments where customers met with account managers, engineers and executives to discuss their equipment needs.

Altec’s exhibiting space featured product demonstrations and opportunities to run the units. Customers also met with representatives from Altec Capital, Altec NUECO, Altec Fleet Services, Altec Global Rental, Altec Supply, Altec Worldwide, Altec Sentry and JJ Kane.

Altec hosted a customer appreciation event in the evenings where customers enjoyed dinner, refreshments, giveaway prizes and special recap videos from the day. Customer giveaways included water bottles, hats and die-cast trucks.

At the show, Altec’s Lee Styslinger, III thanked customers for their efforts in continuing to work despite all the difficult circumstances in 2020 and 2021.

“We’ve all been through a lot during the global pandemic. Thanks to your leadership, sacrifice and commitment, families across the country and throughout the world could not be safer and better thanks to the hard work and dedication of each of you, our customers,” Styslinger said.

Thank you to all of our customers that attended the show and stopped by our booth and hospitality events. We look forward to seeing you again at Utility Expo 2023!

Looking for safety tips, fleet information, or advice on how to operate your equipment? We’ve got you covered with ten pieces of key information for your bucket truck and fleet operations.

In this compilation of crucial industry info, you’ll find the answers to many questions, including – how to view fleet information, when to replace bucket truck parts and more.

Topics:

• Altec Aerial Platform Inspection – To Repair or Replace?
• Aerial Devices Best Practices
• View Invoices, Report Claims and More
• What Does an Altec Extended Warranty Plan Cover?
• Bucket Truck Parts: Is it Time for a Replacement?
• How to Find a Product Manual
• How a Load Monitoring System Can Help Aerial Device Operators and Fleet Managers Improve Performance
• 5 Steps Toward Becoming a Safer Bucket Truck or Digger Derrick Operator
• What is Physical Damage Insurance for Equipment, and How Does it Work?
• 4 Boom Tip Continuity Tips to Consider for Safer Live Line Work

 

Is it Time to Repair or Replace your Bucket Truck’s Platform?

Improper platform inspection and maintenance can put you and your crew at risk and could lead to serious injury. Inspecting the platform for wear and damage is an important step in the pre-operational check, and should be completed every shift.

Learn more about inspecting your aerial device when you read, Altec Aerial Platform Inspection – To Repair or Replace?

Best Practices for Operating Your Bucket Truck

OSHA and ANSI have established guidelines to decrease the risk of injury when using an aerial device; a link to the OSHA site is provided for current updated information.

For guidelines on how to avoid harmful risks in the working area, check out Aerial Devices Best Practices.

How to View Invoices, Report Claims and More

Save time managing your fleet by viewing invoices, report claims and other information online.

Learn how to see your equipment information by reading, View Invoices, Report Claims and More

Altec Extended Warranty Coverage Options

Because we know each customer has different needs and resources, Altec offers various extended warranty coverage options. From parts to travel and labor, our plans help each customer protect their equipment investment.

The Altec Extended Warranty plan protects an Altec-purchased vehicle for up to an additional four years beyond the end of the standard one-year Limited Warranty.

Learn more about this coverage option by reading, What Does an Altec Extended Warranty Plan Cover?

Figuring out When to Change out your Bucket Truck Parts

Operators should always be aware of any parts or components on their trucks that need to be replaced or repaired. Whether it’s due to weather, constant wear-and-tear from traveling on roads, or to various job sites, bucket trucks will require maintenance and replacement of parts during the vehicle’s lifespan.

Find out more at Bucket Truck Parts: Is it Time for a Replacement?

Find your Vehicle-specific Manual in Altec Connect 

Altec Connect can be used to view product manuals for any equipment you own or rent.

To learn how to find your vehicle-specific manual, check out How to Find a Product Manual.

Improve Performance with a Load Monitoring System

Whether you’re an operator or fleet manager, overseeing your aerial devices’ safe and efficient operation and maintenance can come with its fair share of challenges. Load monitoring is no exception.

Check out how using a quality load monitoring system can help avoid overload incidents, extend equipment life and more by reading, How a Load Monitoring System Can Help Aerial Device Operators and Fleet Managers Improve Performance.

Guidelines for Bucket Truck and Digger Derrick Safety

According to ANSI standards, being properly trained means you’ve had general training for a category of equipment, and you’ve been familiarized with the specific units you operate. General training and familiarization are the two major requirements for operator training.

Check out ANSI-recommended aerial device familiarization tips at 5 Steps Toward Becoming a Safer Bucket Truck or Digger Derrick Operator.

Why You Need Physical Damage Insurance

Physical damage insurance covers the cost to repair or replace equipment if there is damage to it through events such as a: Wreck, fire, flood, etc.

For more on how this type of insurance can help you and your business, check out What is Physical Damage Insurance for Equipment, and How Does it Work?

Understanding Safety When it Comes to Boom Tip Continuity

Understanding boom tip continuity is one of the most important safety considerations when performing live line work from an aerial device.

For safer work practices, check out 4 Boom Tip Continuity Tips to Consider for Safer Live Line Work.

Support from Start to Finish

At Altec, we pride ourselves on maintaining consistent relationships with our customers that continue beyond your initial purchase. From the day of your purchase through the life cycle of your equipment, Altec is here to support you every step of the way with service, financing, safety training, tools, parts, fleet management and more.

Are you interested in seeing what an Altec aerial device can do for your business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

When asked what Altec value she relates to the most, Altec Associate Sarah Lubash points to financial stability.

“I don’t have that worry. I don’t live check to check. I’m lucky. I’m so grateful. Even on my worst days, I can always step back and say, ‘I wouldn’t trade this for the world,” Sarah said.

Sarah worked in the sign industry for almost 10 years doing graphics, design and fabrication work. She came to Altec because of the encouragement of a family member who was also an Altec associate.

“I got introduced to Altec because my brother-in-law actually worked at Altec for such a long period of time. He said that I could spread that knowledge to the finish section that I work in. It’s impacted me because I was able to take the knowledge that I had before I started working here to help me develop a niche here,” she said.

Sarah has now been at Altec Roanoke for five years and is the group lead over dress out, a section of finish near the end of a truck’s completion.

Since coming to Altec, she has been able to help her team members grow by sharing her skills and experience.

“Now that I’ve got people coming in and they’re under me, I’m able to take that knowledge that I’ve gained and help them learn how to do the same thing. It’s kind of nice to be able to feel like I’ve played a good part here.”

Her advice for those looking to work at Altec? Be willing to learn.

“You don’t need to have any former experience. You can learn everything that you need here. As long as you come here with the right attitude and a willingness to learn, then you can make it. Easy,” Sarah said.

Once associates get to Altec, she wants them to know they are more than just an employee, they belong.

“You’re not a zombie. You’re not just a number when you come here you are, I hate to sound cliché, but you’re part of the team,” she said.

In addition to encouraging both present and future Altec associates, Sarah says she enjoys seeing the products Altec makes out in the world.

“It’s nice to be able to see those trucks out there and see people actually using them,” she said.

Altec Careers

At Altec, we know if we put our minds and hearts and backs into something, we can do anything. We care about people. We look after each other.

And no matter where we go, across the nation or the globe, we know one thing holds true: our equipment, our services, and our solutions are used to advance our communities and improve other people’s lives.

Does a career at Altec seem like the right fit for you? If you’re interested in joining Team Altec, check out our current job openings here.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your cable installation process, Altec’s AT238P offers improved working height, side reach, controls, and an enhanced two-way communication system from the platform to the cab. The AT238P is a telescopic articulating non-insulating aerial device with a hydraulically extended boom and a platform capacity of 400 lbs.

Working Height & Side Reach

• Working height: 42.6ft
• Working height of 20ft at maximum side reach of 26.5 FT

The increased working height and side reach on the AT238P make this unit ideal for placing cable. In urban environments, operators can set up between two poles and reach both poles without moving the truck.

In rural areas where poles would typically require off-roading the vehicle, operators can easily leverage the increased side reach to easily get to the pole.

Controls

• 4-axis joystick
• AXIS Service Interface

The AT238P’s ergonomic joystick allows the AT238P to provide features like:

• Intuitive one-handed operation
• Improved multi-functioning controls

Operators can now boom up, extend, and rotate simultaneously, letting them get into position faster and maneuver the boom smoothly while the truck is driving.

Larger Platform

• Platform: 29” x 30”

The AT238P’s 5″ larger platform gives operators more room to store tools and more space to maneuver with tool belts while in the platform.

Operators have more room to perform routine tasks without having to put themselves in uncomfortable positions. They can quickly reach tools and parts inside the platform to perform cable placing operations while the truck is both stationary and moving.

For operators installing 5G or broadband, the additional height and side reach and increased platform capacity allow for better tool storage and more accessible operating capabilities.

Intercom System

• Smaller, more versatile installation options
• Enhanced audio, clear & crisp

The updated intercom system on the AT238P provides clear and crisp audio with an independent microphone and speaker.

Brad O’Rourke, a former ground crew member at CTS Communications, says the intercom system on the AT238P makes it easier to hear what the operator is saying when installing cable.

“Before, on past intercoms that I’ve used, it’s very difficult to understand exactly what the operator is saying and to be able to orient the vehicle to the position that he needs. But, with the new ones, I’m able to understand every word that he says, and I’m able to do my job better so he can do his job better,” O’Rourke said.

This updated communication system features:

• Microphone and volume control within reach of the operator
• Can mount speaker out of the way inside the cab

In addition to these features, the AT38P offers:

• Additional platform capacity of up to 400 lbs for personnel use
• Fork arms equipped with adjustable pinning positions for pulling eye/fairlead
• Newly designed pedestal that protects reservoir and DC pump

Overall, the AT38P can help your crew improve efficiency and safety on the jobsite.

Are you interested in seeing what the AT238P can do for your telecom business? Call 800-958-2555, or contact a local Altec representative online.

Dan Taylor, a Stock Room Group Leader, based in Roanoke, Virginia, has been with Altec since early 2019.

Prior to working for Altec, Dan spent time in the military as a contractor for the state department, and then he transitioned into a career in law enforcement. After years in that career, he was ready to hang it up and slow down the pace.

Discovering Altec

Dan worked at a local sporting goods store after his time in law enforcement. After noticing many people coming in with the Altec logo on their shirts, he was curious about the company and spoke to someone who told him he should apply.

“I said, ‘I don’t know nothing about the manufacturing part,’ and he said, ‘we’ll train you, just apply.’”

And that’s exactly what he did.

A Solid Foundation

Dan started in the stock room, eventually absorbing the responsibility of bringing in outside materials for the Roanoke facility. He is now a Group Leader in the stock room.

“I love it here,” said Dan. “It’s a solid foundation, and it just works. I enjoy every aspect of this company.”

Specifically, Dan loves the combination of the teamwork, people and family aspect of Altec. He also appreciates how even amid the uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shortage issues for parts, chassis and supplies, Altec kept them working so associates were able to feed their families.

“We got through the hurricanes during a global pandemic – I don’t think there’s anything this company cannot do,” said Dan.

His fellow workers are always available to lend him a helping hand, and he returns the favor, which, to Dan, says a lot about the type of people that work at Altec.

A Future at Altec

Having benefited from learning about Altec and being encouraged to apply, Dan does the same to talented people he meets.

“There’s a lot of good welders out there, and we need good welders, so I’m always trying to get a feel for where they’re at,” said Dan. “I say ‘hey, have you tried Altec?’”

Former Altec customers now work on the line, and they thank Dan for recommending Altec to them. He tells them to enjoy it and welcomes them to the Altec family.

“Now when I see a bucket truck, I want to see Altec on that boom, or I want to see Altec somewhere on that truck because I know we’re taking care of the order, and we’re taking care of the customer that’s taking care of their customer to get the job done,” said Dan.

Altec Careers

At Altec, we know if we put our minds and hearts and backs into something, we can do anything. We care about people. We look after each other.

And no matter where we go, across the nation or the globe, we know one thing holds true: our equipment, our services, and our solutions are used to advance our communities and improve other people’s lives.

Does a career at Altec seem like the right fit for you? If you’re interested in joining Team Altec, check out our current job openings here.

Recently, Altec President Jon Styslinger talked with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to discuss the value of exhibiting at tradeshows, the return of in-person events, what he most looks forward to at The Utility Expo (formerly ICUEE) this year and more.

Note: This article was originally published on AEM’s website on July 12, 2021.

View the full article from AEM here.

AEM: Over the course of a year or more, we’ve seen the vast majority of in-person events be cancelled or postponed to a later date. In taking a step back from being involved in these events in a traditional sense, what have you taken away from that experience, and how were you able to maintain connections with existing and prospective customers?

Styslinger: If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: The utility industry never shuts down, and it’s comprised of essential workers. And whatever other challenges the industry faces – fires, hurricanes, freezing temperatures – employees in the industry keep going to work.

At Altec, we don’t shut down either. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, we challenged ourselves to come up with new and effective ways to engage with our customers. We launched products virtually, and we worked diligently to find ways to bring value to our customers while maintaining social distancing and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. Ultimately, we did what we had to do to connect with our customers so they could keep their fleets up and running, and we did so in an innovative and safe manner.

AEM: Now that we’ve seen things open back up and more and more events get held, what are you looking forward to in terms of being able to participate in events and connect with your customer base?

Styslinger: Exhibitions and events are a fantastic way for us at Altec to show our appreciation and express our thanks to our customers who embraced being essential workers and continued to do their jobs throughout the pandemic.
It’s really incredible what the utility industry has dealt with over the course of the last 15 months. When you consider the wildfires that ravaged the West Coast, hurricanes, freezes in the south, and even the increased prevalence of at-home work, which put tremendous pressure on telecommunications and cable television companies to increase internet speeds to meet demand, so much has happened that has challenged the industry. So, for us at Altec, in-person events provide a great opportunity to reestablish connections and relationships with customers we’ve had for years, as well as come together and say, “Wow, we’ve really been through a lot.”

AEM: As exhibitions and events continue to evolve over time, in what ways will Altec work to evolve and help ensure the company gets the most out of in-person events?

Styslinger: We just get so much out of events like The Utility Expo. They really are important for us, because the personal relationships that we have developed over the years, and continue to develop, are so, so valuable.
However, what we really want to do when attending exhibitions and events is make sure we’re disciplined and focused on having the right products, the right people and the right services that are really targeted to who will also be in attendance and – even more importantly – that those products, people and services meet the needs of our customers.

AEM: Your company has had a presence at The Utility Expo in the past when the show was ICUEE. Can you offer some insights into the value of that show for Altec, and what you’re most looking forward to at the upcoming edition of The Utility Expo?

Styslinger: The thing that’s unique about The Utility Expo is that it covers all of the utility industry. It’s the biggest and broadest show in our industry. And while our products are always the premier showcase of the show, what it really gives us an opportunity to do is to communicate the fact that Altec is a lot more than just our products. It’s about the services we can provide, our capabilities to manufacture and our ability to provide parts support. More than anything else, though, it’s about showcasing all we have to offer our customers to support them, not only when they buy the product initially, but throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.

AEM: If you could give one piece of advice to an AEM member or other prospective exhibitor who is evaluating their involvement in the Utility Expo right now, what would it be, and why?

Styslinger: Emphasize that your product truly is premier because of the critical nature of the service you provide – service, engineering support, all of the other services you build around the product – and let your customer know you’re the one who’s in position to deliver it.

AEM: Your organization has benefited from numerous opportunities with attendees of The Utility Expo in past years. What do you think the value proposition is for those who decide to invest their time and resources in attending this show?

Styslinger: Attendees of The Utility Expo get the chance to truly see the full range of equipment and accessories available on the market. In addition, the show serves as the perfect forum for attendees to network with other users in an environment where they can see, hear and learn about issues of importance for everyone in the industry.

About The Utility Expo

Formerly known as ICUEE, The Utility Expo is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends. The biennial trade show, known for equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations, takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. The next edition will be Sept. 28-30, 2021. For more information, visit www.theutilityexpo.com.

What is Diverse Spend?

Diverse spend refers to the amount of money companies spend with Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE).

To help promote diversity and inclusion, many businesses maintain yearly supplier diversity programs by identifying and doing business with a range of diverse companies. In electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets, this is often achieved by leasing equipment.

Also, federal contractors such as utility and governmental agencies often require contractors to spend a certain amount of money with minority-owned companies to be eligible to earn contracts with said utility or agency.

What’s the Advantage of Leasing Relative to Diverse Spend?

Leasing is an easy, efficient way of spending money with an MBE. Leasing provides an opportunity to assess and build relationships with new suppliers, vendors, distributors and other third parties that address a company’s needs. Leasing also creates a dependable stream of diverse spend transactions that is easy to calculate.

Beyond meeting diverse spend goals or obtaining contracts, leasing with an MBE can ultimately benefit the economy and underutilized communities.

According to a 2020 article from the Harvard Business Review titled, “Why You Need a Supplier Diversity Program,” diverse spend “delivers broader societal benefits by generating economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities.”

In addition, the article also mentions a recent report from the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council. The report states, “certified MBEs generate $400 billion in economic output that lead to the creation or preservation of 2.2 million jobs and $49 billion in annual revenue for local, state, and federal tax authorities.”

What Other Ways do Companies Fulfill their Diverse Spend Needs?

There are many ways to spend money with MBE’s, including but not limited to: subcontractors, fuel supply services, parts, etc. Really, anything that makes up part of the supply chain could be sourced through an MBE.

How Can Altec Capital’s Equipment Leasing Help Me Reach My Supplier Diversity Targets?

Altec Capital Services partners with Cadence Leasing to provide a seamless approach to diversity leasing. Cadence Leasing Inc. is a certified Minority and Service-Disabled Veteran business enterprise serving over 30 Fortune 250 Firms for 19 years.

Manda Wiebe, Accounting Manager at MGE Underground, a utility contractor based in Paso Robles, CA, says Altec Capital Services and Cadence Leasing have made it easy for her company to meet their diverse spend goals. “From streamlining paperwork to an online system to answering my team’s many questions, ACS and Cadence Leasing made leasing our equipment a pain-free and even enjoyable experience.”

Wiebe continued, “Beyond just the finance side of things, I am impressed with the level of service Altec Capital provides. The relationships our company has forged with ACS makes me look forward to interacting and doing business with them.”

The Altec Capital/Cadence Alliance has been benefiting numerous clients for several years and is designed to meet the requirements of several areas in our customers’ businesses, including:

• Fleet operations
• Finance
• Strategic sourcing
• Diversity organizations

For more information on how Altec can help your company achieve its supplier diversity goals, call (888) 408-8148, email finance@altec.com, or contact your Altec Capital Account Manager for more details.

Phil Doud, Sentry Program Manager for Altec, joined Kurt Moreland of Incident Prevention Magazine for an interview regarding Altec Sentry, its training options, OSHA and ANSI standards and how the pandemic has impacted in-person training options.

To start the interview, Kurt asked, “You know we all see those beautiful Altec bucket trucks around town working hard but tell us about Altec Sentry. Exactly what is Altec Sentry, and what do they do?”

Altec Sentry has been serving customers for 20 years, helping customers train their operators to operate their Altec equipment safely. Training is offered in-person, online, or through Train the Trainer programs, where Altec teaches an in-house trainer at the company, who will then train its employees.

OSHA and ANSI Standards

When asked about one question he would ask equipment operators, Doud replied, “We have this conversation a lot. I usually ask, ‘if you needed to, could you reach into a training file and find an employee training record that you know is going to meet OSHA and ANSI training requirements?’”

For the electric utility industry, OSHA requires employers to train their employees properly. Although ANSI standards aren’t regulatory, OSHA can look to ANSI’s industry standards as a reference when they need to decide whether the employer administered proper training.

“Training improperly can be almost as bad as not training at all,” said Doud. “I think the connection there is that OSHA is going to look at the ANSI standards, and that’s been true for quite some time, just not as well-known perhaps as what people read strictly in OSHA.”

When it comes to how utility companies train operators, there’s a lot of variation. According to Doud, employers and operators may struggle to implement a consistent training process. Altec Sentry helps customers have that conversation to understand where they are and determine what solution will work for them.

No matter the size of the customer, they first need to assess where they are relative to ANSI training standards, which helps them determine if they have the resources in place and measure that against their current needs.

“I’ve got to say, in my experience, it’s pretty unusual for a customer to call with a great, solid understanding of those ANSI training requirements,” said Doud. “It’s not the most exciting topic in the world and that knowledge is kind of hard to find. We want to help them understand the regulations and get in front of them the right information so they can make an informed decision when they decide to start building resources or spending money.”

Training Before and After the Pandemic

Kurt then directed the conversation toward the pandemic, how it affected in-person training, and what Altec Sentry is doing in the online training realm.

Since 2016, Altec Sentry has offered online core operator, unit operating procedure and basic operational courses. These courses cover Altec’s entire range of products, including utility, tree care, lights and signs and cranes. Mechanic training courses and live webinars were added earlier this year.

For Altec Sentry, safety is everything, and that includes keeping customers safe during the pandemic.

Phil spoke about the value of online training, both before and during the pandemic. Customers are looking for ways to reduce in-person classroom time and are turning to online training courses now more than ever. However, Doud mentions that ultimately, you need actual hands-on experience operating the equipment. To facilitate this remotely, Sentry offers virtual training options that allow instructors to monitor online.

“We recognize there are certain conditions that have to be in place to keep safety in mind when we aren’t able to be there in person. But you know, ultimately, we find that customers that we can travel to prefer to have an in-person option with the proper precautions in place,” said Doud. “But we have worked it both ways – we’ve delivered virtual training to some of our more remote customers, and it’s been successful.”

Altec Sentry’s primary in-person offering is a direct training product for aerials and digger derricks. These one-day formats host up to 15 people in a class. Sentry Instructors facilitate classroom sessions and lead the hands-on training, evaluating attendees on how well they can operate the controls. Sentry’s trainers are there to answer questions and make sure students know how their equipment is intended to work.

Training that Covers a Wide Range of Needs

Altec Sentry trains at small and medium-sized companies, large utilities, tree trimmers, contractors, public works, and municipalities. They also want to provide safety training to Altec equipment users who may not have purchased the equipment directly from Altec. For example, if a contractor buys an Altec truck at an auction, they still are able to receive Altec Sentry training.

“It doesn’t matter how you acquired your Altec unit, you know we hope you bought it from us, but as long as you’ve got one, you’re in the Altec family,” said Doud. “We’ll come to you and set up training that meets your needs and your schedule, and that’s part of the total Altec value that Altec Sentry brings, right alongside Supply, Parts and Service and all the other things you can get by giving us a call.”

Phil mentioned that in the past few days before the interview, he received at least half a dozen requests from customers who had never contacted Altec before, and their request for training is the first time they’ve reached out to the manufacturer. Altec Sentry’s trainers are often an employers’ first contact with Altec, so trainers make sure they can answer any questions or find answers quickly and give employers a complete understanding of how their equipment is intended to work.

“We really want to be an ambassador for the equipment and establish that relationship in the right way, get that safety message out there, and help people take full advantage of the equipment they bought,” said Doud.

Visit Altec Sentry’s website to access operator safety and maintenance courses. For questions about Sentry training or to register for a class, email sentrypost@altec.com.