Star Platforms
Star Platforms is a UK privately-held powered access equipment rental, sales and IPAF-accredited training operator serving construction, data centres, events and facilities management customers across seven owned English depots, with a 1,900+ platform hire fleet, 140+ employees and the Star Power sister company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersDunstable, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Star Platforms does
Star Platforms is a UK privately-held powered access equipment (MEWP) rental, sales and training operator founded in October 2014 by Steve Simmons and headquartered in Houghton Regis, Dunstable. The company hires, sells and supports scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts, boom lifts (cherry pickers) and low-level push-around platforms from leading OEMs including Skyjack, Dingli, JLG, Genie, Haulotte, Niftylift, Manitou and Power Tower, with working heights from 3 to 28 metres and lifting capacities up to 1,134 kg on select scissor models. Its safety technology proposition centres on LIDAR-based secondary guarding systems (EQSS OverWatch, Niftylift SiOPS, Skyjack SGE/SGLE) fitted to the fleet ahead of the Tier 1 contractor mandate effective January 2026.
The business runs seven owned depots across England — Luton, Kent, Midlands, Reading, East Anglia, North West (Warrington) and South West (Bridgwater) — plus a dedicated IPAF training centre in Luton, supported by a company-owned HGV delivery fleet. Headcount has grown to 140+ employees and the hire fleet to 1,900+ platforms (2,750+ total including non-hire assets), with Access Alliance membership extending effective national coverage to over 10,000 platforms. Revenue streams combine short- and long-term hire (recurring), new and refurbished used equipment sales with financing, IPAF-accredited operator training (eLearning and onsite), safety accessories, and six-month LOLER inspection servicing.
Star Platforms is led by joint Managing Directors Steve Simmons and Richard Miller, both formerly of Panther Platforms, with a board including Sales, Operations, Technical, Finance, Customer Services and Group Commercial Directors. Customers span construction and refurbishment (primary), data centres, sports and events, seasonal installations, art and special projects, facilities management, government and charities. In January 2023 Star Power (generator hire, battery storage and electrical installations) was brought into shared group ownership as a sister company, broadening the addressable offering into temporary power.
Star Platforms firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Star Platforms
- Legal name
- Star Platforms Limited
- Website
- https://starplatforms.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Star Platforms is a UK privately-held powered access equipment rental, sales and IPAF-accredited training operator serving construction, data centres, events and facilities management customers across seven owned English depots, with a 1,900+ platform hire fleet, 140+ employees and the Star Power sister company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Star Platforms industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Powered Access Equipment Hire
- SIC
- Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lifting Platforms & Aerial Work Platforms (MEWPs) (IMAHAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Star Platforms is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dunstable
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Star Platforms business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Powered Access Equipment Hire: Short-term and long-term hire of scissor lifts, cherry pickers/boom lifts, and low-level access platforms across the UK. Core kit available for next-day delivery. National coverage via Access Alliance.
- New and Used Equipment Sales: Sale of new and professionally refurbished powered access platforms. Used machines sourced from hire fleet, professionally refurbished including full respray and new decals, with new 6-month LOLER certificates.
- IPAF Operator Training: IPAF-accredited MEWP operator training courses including 3A, 3B, harness training, and manager courses. Available as eLearning or onsite training at depots or customer premises.
- Financing Services: Finance options offered to help customers purchase new or used powered access platforms.
- MEWP Accessories and Safety Equipment: Hire and sale of safety accessories including harnesses, pipe racks, tool trays, transformers, and fuel equipment.
- Servicing and Maintenance: Regular servicing and six-month LOLER testing for customer-owned equipment, delivered nationally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Harness Awareness & Harness User Training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Used Low-Level Platforms (Nano, Nano SP, Power Tower) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Used Vertical Mast Lifts (Skyjack SJ12, SJ16) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Used Electric Scissor Lifts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Used Mast Boom Lift |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Star Platforms product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Star Platforms is a UK-based powered access equipment company that hires, sells, and trains on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). The company offers scissor lifts, boom lifts (cherry pickers), vertical mast lifts, and low-level push-around platforms from a network of depots across the UK, supported by IPAF-accredited operator training and maintenance services.
Product overview
Star Platforms operates as a powered access equipment provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) products and services. The core offering consists of three equipment hire categories: Cherry Pickers/Boom Lifts (articulating and telescopic boom lifts up to 28m working height), Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Lifts (up to 22.5m), and Low Level Push-Around Platforms (3.5-8m). Alongside equipment hire, Star Platforms sells both new and used MEWPs with financing options and maintains Service Maintenance Agreements with LOLER certification. IPAF-accredited operator training is provided as a complementary service. The company also offers safety accessories including EQSS OverWatch secondary guarding systems and MEWP accessories. Through its sister company Star Power, the business extends into generator hire and temporary power solutions. Products are sourced from major manufacturers including Skyjack, Genie, Niftylift, JLG, Haulotte, Dingli, Manitou, and Power Tower. National coverage is delivered through seven UK depots and Access Alliance membership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Star Power: Temporary power specialist and sister company of Star Platforms, providing generator hire and power generation services for construction sites, events, and emergency power needs.
Products and services
- Cherry Picker (Boom) Hire Hire of boom lifts and cherry pickers including diesel, electric, bi-energy, narrow, and rough-terrain variants for working at height across construction, facilities, events, and industrial sites.
- Scissor Lift & Vertical Mast Lift Hire Hire of electric and diesel scissor lifts, self-propelled and push-around variants, plus vertical mast lifts for indoor and outdoor working at height applications.
- Low Level Push-Around Platform Hire Hire of low-level push-around platforms, Pop-Up lifts, and tower options designed for low-height interior work where ladders are unsuitable.
- New Powered Access Platforms for Sale Sale of brand-new MEWPs and powered access equipment from leading manufacturers including Niftylift, Skyjack, Genie, Manitou, Teupen, and Hinowa.
- Used Powered Access Platforms for Sale Sale of fully inspected, serviced, and quality-checked used MEWPs and powered access platforms with a six-month LOLER inspection certificate included.
- Genie Material Lifts Sale of Genie material lifts for vertical handling of loads in construction, retail, and warehouse environments.
- IPAF Operator Training Courses IPAF-accredited training courses for MEWP operation including operator training, PAL (Powered Access Licence) cards, harness use and inspection, and refresher courses delivered at training centres and customer sites.
- Service & Maintenance Agreements Planned service and maintenance contracts covering LOLER inspections, six-monthly thorough examinations, repair work, and OEM-trained engineer support for powered access equipment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% environmentally friendly fleet (hybrid/electric)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Star Platforms
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Star Platforms technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Star Platforms partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.
- EQSS OverWatchmajorPartnership with EQSS to supply OverWatch secondary guarding systems for scissor lifts. OverWatch provides LIDAR-enabled entrapment protection ahead of Tier 1 contractor mandates effective January 2026.
- MC Truck and Bus CompanyminorPurchase of 15 new trucks (32t HGV rigid) from MC Truck and Bus Company to expand and modernise the Star Platforms delivery and service fleet.
- Star PowercoreStar Power is a sister company of Star Platforms, providing specialist temporary and long-term power solutions including generator hire, battery energy storage systems, and electrical installations. Star Power joined with Star Platforms in January 2023 under shared group ownership.
- Gratte BrothersmajorStar Platforms and Gratte Brothers signed a rolling partnership agreement to work together to provide powered access platforms. Gratte Brothers is a building services company.
- Access AlliancecoreThe Access Alliance is a collaboration of independently owned regional powered access sales and rental companies across the UK and Ireland. Members adhere to uniformed level of service and high quality of equipment standards. Through this partnership, Star Platforms provides powered access hire coverage across the entire UK.
- SkyjackcoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying scissor lifts, boom lifts and articulating boom lifts to Star Platforms. Skyjack is one of the key equipment suppliers in the Star Platforms fleet.
- DinglicoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying scissor lifts, boom lifts, and mast lifts to Star Platforms. Dingli equipment featured prominently in fleet spec sheets.
- JLGcoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying boom lifts and mast lifts including JLG Toucan 8E-L to Star Platforms hire fleet.
- GeniecoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying scissor lifts, boom lifts, vertical mast lifts, and material lifts to Star Platforms.
- NiftyliftcoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying articulating boom lifts including HR series hybrid and rough terrain models. Also provides SiOPS operator detection technology.
- HaulottecoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying mast boom lifts including Haulotte Star 10 to Star Platforms hire fleet.
- ManitoucoreLeading MEWP manufacturer supplying diesel articulating boom lifts including Manitou 160ATJ and 200ATJ to Star Platforms hire fleet.
- Power TowercoreManufacturer of low-level access platforms including Pecolift, Ecolift, Nano, and Power Tower machines in the Star Platforms hire fleet.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves16 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Star Platforms competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nationwide Platforms: UK's largest MEWP specialist rental company (part of the Liebherr Group). Directly comparable to Star Platforms in product mix (scissor lifts, boom lifts, low-level access), customer segments (construction, facilities, events) and IPAF-aligned operating model, but with materially larger fleet and depots.
- AFI Rentals: UK powered access rental specialist operating a national depot network and a similar hire/sales/training value proposition. Comparable to Star Platforms in target customer base (construction, infrastructure, facilities), MEWP product categories, and IPAF training offering.
- Riwal: European aerial work platform rental specialist with UK presence, offering MEWP hire, sales and training across multiple countries. Closely comparable business model and product set to Star Platforms, with cross-border scale advantages.
- mateco: Pan-European aerial work platform rental specialist with hire, sales and training. Directly comparable to Star Platforms in core MEWP rental model, safety technology adoption and multi-depot operating model, with a broader European footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Sunbelt Rentals: UK division of one of the largest equipment rental groups (Ashtead). Offers powered access as part of a much broader plant and tool hire portfolio, competing head-on with Star Platforms in MEWPs but with significantly greater fleet, geographic coverage and capital base.
- Speedy Hire: UK-listed equipment hire group offering a broad portfolio of tools, plant and access equipment. Comparable to Star Platforms in general hire, training and customer base but with a much wider product range and substantially larger scale.
- HSS Hire: UK tool and equipment hire group with a powered access offering within a broader hire portfolio. Adjacent competitor to Star Platforms in MEWPs for SME and trade customers, with a national branch network but less depth in specialist MEWPs.
Regional players
- Panther Platforms: UK MEWP rental specialist founded by Star Platforms' joint MD Richard Miller in 1998. Comparable powered access hire and training offering, with a regional rather than national depot footprint.
- Gardiner Equipment Services: UK provider of powered access hire, sales and servicing across southern England. Comparable to Star Platforms in MEWP categories and customer segments but with a more regional depot footprint.
Emerging players
- Power Platform Services: Independent UK MEWP hire specialist with similar product categories (scissor, boom, low-level access) and IPAF training offering, but with a smaller fleet and depot count than Star Platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Star Platforms social profiles
Digital presenceStar Platforms compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
Star Platforms financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Star Platforms leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Star Platforms funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Star Platforms M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Star Platforms
What does Star Platforms do?
Star Platforms is a UK-based powered access equipment company that hires, sells, and trains on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). The company offers scissor lifts, boom lifts (cherry pickers), vertical mast lifts, and low-level push-around platforms from a network of depots across the UK, supported by IPAF-accredited operator training and maintenance services.
Is Star Platforms a public or private company?
Star Platforms is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Star Platforms founded?
Star Platforms was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Star Platforms based?
Star Platforms is headquartered in Dunstable, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Star Platforms make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Powered Access Equipment Hire is the primary driver. The others are new and Used Equipment Sales, IPAF Operator Training, financing Services, MEWP Accessories and Safety Equipment and servicing and Maintenance.
Who are Star Platforms's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nationwide Platforms, AFI Rentals, Riwal and mateco. Broad incumbents are Sunbelt Rentals, Speedy Hire and HSS Hire. Regional players are Panther Platforms and Gardiner Equipment Services. Power Platform Services is listed as an emerging player.
Does Star Platforms have an API?
No public API is recorded for Star Platforms.
What industry is Star Platforms in?
Star Platforms's product category is Powered Access Equipment Hire. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAJAJ, Lifting Platforms & Aerial Work Platforms (MEWPs). Its SIC code is 3537.