Rapid Platforms
Rapid Platforms (also Rapid Hoists) supplies and rents construction hoists with 200kg–3200kg lifting capacity across 15 UK depots, serving construction, infrastructure, renewables, telecoms, and industrial sectors as a subsidiary of AFI Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersBishops Stortford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rapid Platforms does
Rapid Platforms (also operating under the trade name Rapid Hoists) is a UK construction hoist specialist operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFI Group, with its legal entity being AFI-Uplift Limited (Company No. 03539352), registered in England. The company supplies construction hoists — vertical lifting devices used to transport personnel, tools, and materials between levels of construction sites — with lifting capacities ranging from 200kg to 3200kg. Its core product uses a geared single or three-phase brake motor driving a pinion on the mast rack, paired with an independent safety device that brings the cage to a controlled stop within three metres if rated travel speed is exceeded. Hoist cages can be configured with two- or three-sided access and with passenger or goods-only control systems, and are installed either attached to scaffolding or directly mounted to buildings.
The company's revenue model spans four streams: equipment rental (short-term multi-month to long-term multi-year), new and pre-owned equipment sales (covering scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers, and spider lifts), IPAF and PASMA training services, and on-site service/maintenance including full erect and strike delivered by NVQ-qualified erectors holding CSCS cards. Pricing is quote-based, determined by equipment type, rental duration, and project location, with flexible extension terms. Distribution is multi-channel: 15 UK depot locations for direct enterprise rental, an online account portal, iOS and Android mobile apps for 24/7 ordering, and a direct sales team for quotes and account management. The customer base spans construction (primary), installation, maintenance, renewables, telecoms, infrastructure, media, and industrial sectors, with the geographic footprint currently limited to the United Kingdom.
Rapid Platforms firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rapid Platforms
- Legal name
- AFI-Uplift Limited
- Website
- https://rapidplatforms.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rapid Platforms (also Rapid Hoists) supplies and rents construction hoists with 200kg–3200kg lifting capacity across 15 UK depots, serving construction, infrastructure, renewables, telecoms, and industrial sectors as a subsidiary of AFI Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rapid Platforms industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Equipment Rental
- NAICS
- Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (33312)
- SIC
- Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hoists (Electric, Manual & Pneumatic) (IMAHAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN), Lifting Platforms & Aerial Work Platforms (MEWPs) (IMAHAJAJ), Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE)
Keywords
Where Rapid Platforms is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bishops Stortford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices16 records
Markets served
Rapid Platforms business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental: Short-term and long-term rental of construction hoists and other powered access equipment. Flexible rental packages tailored to project duration with option to extend rental periods. Pricing based on equipment type, rental duration, and project location.
- Equipment Sales: Sale of new and pre-owned construction equipment including scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers, spider lifts, and related access equipment.
- Training Services: IPAF and PASMA training courses for equipment operators and managers. Includes operator certifications, e-learning options, and PAL Plus qualifications.
- Service and Maintenance: On-site support, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting services provided throughout rental periods. Full erect and strike service by NVQ qualified erectors with CSCS cards.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Short-term rental for projects requiring equipment for several months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Long-term rental for projects spanning a year or more |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Rapid Platforms product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rapid Platforms (also branded as Rapid Hoists) supplies new and used construction access equipment for sale and hire, specializing in construction hoists with lifting capacities ranging from 200kg to 3200kg. The company provides full erect and strike services delivered by NVQ qualified erectors holding CSCS cards, alongside operator training (IPAF and PASMA) and ongoing maintenance support across a UK network of 15 depot locations.
Product overview
Rapid Platforms (operating as Rapid Hoists) supplies construction hoists as part of the AFI Group. The company offers construction hoist equipment in various sizes with lifting capacities ranging from 200kg to 3200kg. Hoist cages/platforms are designed for attachment to scaffolding or direct mounting to buildings, with access available from two or three sides. Different drive technologies and control systems are available to suit various construction industry applications, including passenger hoists operated from inside the cage and goods-only hoists with ground-level controls. The company provides full erect and strike services through NVQ qualified erectors holding CSCS cards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Construction Hoists Vertical lifting devices used to transport personnel, tools, and materials between levels of a construction site. Hoist cages/platforms are driven by a geared single or three phase brake motor, with independent safety devices that bring the cage to a controlled stop within three metres if rated travel speed is exceeded. Available in 200kg-3200kg payload capacities, with access from two or three sides and configurations for passenger or goods-only operation.
- New and Used Access Equipment Sales Sale of new and pre-owned powered access equipment including scissor lifts, articulating and telescopic boom lifts, telehandlers, spider lifts, van-mounted and truck-mounted platforms, push-arounds, trailers, and cherry pickers for construction, industrial, and infrastructure applications.
- IPAF Operator Training IPAF-accredited training courses for access equipment operators, including the IPAF 3a 3b Operator course, IPAF PAL Plus qualification, and IPAF MEWPs for Managers course. Delivered with e-learning options and CITB ATO accreditation.
- PASMA Tower Training PASMA Tower for Users course providing certification for safe assembly, use, and dismantling of mobile access towers.
- Service and Maintenance Comprehensive on-site support including installation (erect), maintenance, troubleshooting, and dismantling (strike) of construction hoists and access equipment throughout the rental period. Service delivered by NVQ qualified erectors with CSCS cards, with all operations complying with current UK regulations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Safe and controlled stop within three metres of operation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rapid Platforms
Customer profileSegments8 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Rapid Platforms technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Rapid Platforms partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Rapid Platforms competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HSS Hire: UK tool and equipment rental company with a national branch network serving trade and construction customers. Comparable as a UK-domestic rental peer with similar depots, customer segments, and short-term/long-term rental models.
- GAP Group: UK equipment rental company with a national network of depots offering plant, tool, powered access and lifting equipment. Comparable as a multi-category UK rental competitor with overlapping customer base in construction and infrastructure projects.
- Nationwide Platforms: UK's largest specialist powered access rental company offering scissor lifts, boom lifts, and telehandlers with a national depot network. Directly comparable as a UK-focused aerial work platform and vertical access equipment rental specialist with similar customer segments in construction and infrastructure.
- Speedy Hire: UK-listed equipment rental provider with national depots serving construction, infrastructure, and industrial customers. Comparable as a UK-domestic tool and plant hire competitor with overlapping customer segments and quote-based sales motion.
- Brandon Hire Station: UK tool and equipment hire specialist with a national network serving construction and maintenance customers. Comparable as a UK-domestic rental competitor with overlapping powered access and lifting equipment offerings.
Others
- JLG Industries (Oshkosh): Global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telehandlers whose equipment forms part of UK rental fleets including those of Rapid Platforms' competitors. Comparable as an upstream OEM whose products compete in the same powered access equipment category.
- Haulotte Group: France-based manufacturer of aerial work platforms and material handling equipment supplying UK rental fleets. Comparable as an upstream OEM whose scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandler products compete in the same category rented by Rapid Platforms' customers.
Broad incumbents
- AFI-Uplift: Parent brand and sister business within AFI Group offering a wider range of powered access equipment including scissor lifts, booms and telehandlers. Directly comparable as a UK rental peer sharing the same legal entity (AFI-Uplift Limited), depots, and customer base.
- Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals UK): FTSE-listed equipment rental group operating Sunbelt Rentals in the UK with a much larger fleet and broader product range. Comparable as a UK powered access and lifting equipment incumbent with substantially greater scale and procurement leverage.
Emerging players
- Riwal: Netherlands-based aerial work platform rental specialist with UK operations focusing on scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandlers. Comparable as a specialist powered access rental peer with overlapping customer use cases in construction and infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rapid Platforms social profiles
Digital presenceRapid Platforms financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rapid Platforms leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Rapid Platforms subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Rapid Platforms funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rapid 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 Rapid Platforms
What does Rapid Platforms do?
Rapid Platforms (also branded as Rapid Hoists) supplies new and used construction access equipment for sale and hire, specializing in construction hoists with lifting capacities ranging from 200kg to 3200kg. The company provides full erect and strike services delivered by NVQ qualified erectors holding CSCS cards, alongside operator training (IPAF and PASMA) and ongoing maintenance support across a UK network of 15 depot locations.
Is Rapid Platforms a public or private company?
Rapid Platforms is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Rapid Platforms founded?
Rapid Platforms was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rapid Platforms based?
Rapid Platforms is headquartered in Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Rapid Platforms make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental is the primary driver. The others are equipment Sales, training Services and service and Maintenance.
Who are Rapid Platforms's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HSS Hire, GAP Group, Nationwide Platforms, Speedy Hire and Brandon Hire Station. Others are JLG Industries (Oshkosh) and Haulotte Group. Broad incumbents are AFI-Uplift and Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals UK). Riwal is listed as an emerging player.
Does Rapid Platforms have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rapid Platforms.
What industry is Rapid Platforms in?
Rapid Platforms's product category is Construction Equipment Rental. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAJAG, Hoists (Electric, Manual & Pneumatic), with a secondary code of IMAHAJAN, Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing. Its NAICS code is 333923 and its SIC code is 3531.