September-October 2026

10

24 16

Industry Focus l By Maggie MacHale

Women across utility fleet are following multiple paths to career growth

Used Equipment

Balancing purchase price, condition, and operating costs

Cover: Dependable equipment is key for maintaining critical infrastructure at Pine Ridge Technologies. For their growing fleet, over the past two years the electrical contractor has been fielding new PALFINGER ETC MH 40 IH bucket truck models.

Fleet Profile l By Seth Skydel

For Pine Ridge Technologies, dependable equipment is key for maintaining critical infrastructure

Jobsite Spotlight l By Kris Koberg

Matching matting to the application makes the right resources available when and where they are needed

Management l By Seth Skydel

Developing the next generation of technicians at PAR Western Line Contractors

Sponsored Content l Merlo America

Maximizing versatility, precision, and performance

Departments

6 Products Plus

20 Lift Spotlight l Vertical Lifts

32 Ground Truth

34 Web Watch

Buyer’ s Resources

33 Marketplace

Discover

how the Catalyst Communications Network Advisory Council is shaping the future of our publications. By incorporating diverse perspectives from seasoned professionals, the council ensures we continue to serve the best interests of our readers and the industry.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 • VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 5

EDITORIAL CONTACT- editorial @ liftandaccess. com Publisher of Crane Hot Line, Lift and Access, Contractors Hot Line, Parts Connection, Attachment Connection, Telecom & Utility Construction, Components & Consumables magazines, Lifting 360 and email newsletters.

1207 Central Ave, Floor 2 • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 800-247-2000 • eNewsletter: Lifting 360

ADVERTISING SALES CONTACT- sales @ liftandaccess. com SUBSCRIPTIONS- 800-247-2000 CHANGE OF ADDRESS- info @ liftandaccess. com SIGN UP FOR NEWLETTERS- info @ liftandaccess. com

Lift and Access is published seven times per year in January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, October( Annual Equipment Guide), and November-December by Catalyst Construction Division, 1207 Central Ave, Floor 2, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, Phone 800-247-2000. Subscription: Lift and Access is mailed free to major users of lifting equipment in the United States and Canada. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Catalyst Construction Division, 1207 Central Ave, FL 2, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

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Dedicated to Serving the US Market © Catalyst Communications Network, LLC 2026. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of Catalyst Communications Network, LLC. The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Catalyst Communications Network, LLC(“ Publisher”) however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice and for any reason. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication and Publisher is not responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Advertisements appearing in this publication are not necessarily the views or opinions expressed by Publisher.