Upgrading from Steel to Aluminum: Lighter is Better

Soudures P. Desrosiers had been the official steel platform manufacturer for Patrick Morin Renovation Centers since the 1980s, but when the company opened its Aluquip division it introduced a new, aluminum-based vision for platforms that was quite different from what other competitors were offering on the market.

The many advantages and benefits that come with aluminum made it the clear choice for both the company and its customers.

And so Aluquip was the first in Quebec to move forward with this concept, implementing the technology for fabricating the first aluminum platforms, which stood head and shoulders above the competition because they are lightweight yet durable, hard-wearing and sturdy!

 

Aluminum Platforms: Durable and Sustainable

These days, a material’s durability is not only important for a company’s bottom line - it also contributes to greater environmental sustainability.

The Aluquip team is especially proud of this aspect of their aluminum platform.

Choosing aluminum means their customers own a product that will significantly outlast the service life of the trucks on which the platforms are placed, which is why they can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. As an added bonus, this material requires very little maintenance.

 

Aluminum Platforms: Cost-Effective and Efficient

When comparing aluminum and steel platforms side by side, aluminum wins by a landslide due to being 40% lighter than steel.

Any company looking to cut fuel costs will be able to maximise their route efficiency while at the same time finding it easier to comply with load capacity regulations.

Reducing the platform weight impacts logistical considerations - making it easier to manage budgets, meet standards and save time on maintenance - and many other areas of the business as well.

 

Aluminum Platforms: Standing Up to the Toughest Quebec Conditions

Anyone who has driven on the roads in winter knows that while calcium makes our roads much safer, it also creates major problems for anything made out of steel.

Here again, aluminum platforms are the perfect solution, as those who use them can avoid spending a great deal of time and money to counteract corrosion problems.

The thaw period makes the roads especially fragile, and during this time carriers who choose aluminum platforms are able to get a head start on the competition by increasing their load capacities while remaining in compliance with regulations.

 

Are Aluminum Platforms the Solution to Labour Shortages?

In addition to being tough and durable, aluminum platforms are lighter and that turns out to directly benefit the hiring process.

How exactly? 

Since aluminum platforms are 40% lighter than a comparable platform made of steel, they reduce the overall weight of the truck itself.

This means that in most cases, a driver only needs a Class 5 license to drive the truck.

This makes hiring easier because anyone with a driver’s license already has a Class 5, resulting in a much larger pool of potential hires.

And thus the employer avoids the higher training, payroll and administrative costs associated with more specialized licenses.

Meanwhile, a truck with a steel platform will usually require its driver to have a Class 3 license, which results in a more difficult and expensive hiring process for the employer.

For all these reasons, aluminum platforms clearly have the edge over other options, and that is why the entire Aluquip team urges you to choose their specially designed, custom-made aluminum platforms manufactured just for you right here in Lanaudière.

Looking to learn more?

Contact  Aluquip today.  Our team is standing by to answer your questions and find the right solution for you. They work with you to find the perfect product for your vehicles.