Saudi Arabia’s MEDCO has started delivery of 135 Genie scissors and boom lifts to Al Majal Al Arabi for facilities management work at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah in the Kingdom.

The authorised dealer for Genie in Saudi Arabia said the order comprises Genie S-60 J and S-80 J telescopic boom lifts, which will be used for external facade and general offsite maintenance, Genie GS E-Drive scissor lifts for indoor maintenance, and electric Z-60 DC articulating boom lifts for general facility management and cleaning tasks.

In a statement, Emad Mukhalalaty, general manager for MEDCO Saudi Arabia, said: “MEDCO is proud to be the first supplier for Genie equipment to the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. This is one of the most prestigious and demanding projects that MEDCO had won in recent years, and we feel that serving the holy mosques is not only a duty and responsibility, but an honour that we value and shall provide for.”

For Al Majal Al Arabi, the major deciding factors in the decision to purchase Genie lifts from MEDCO were Genie’s ability to meet technical specifications, safety prerequisites and delivery needs. MEDCO’s team also understood the different applications for these platforms at the mosques, and was able to recommend specific equipment to best meet jobsite needs.

Mohammed Kamal, regional manager, MEDCO Riyadh, added: “We believe winning this deal was not a strike of luck, but rather a full understanding of customer needs and application derived from several site visits, inspecting the toughest-to-reach points in The Haramain (the Holy Site).

“Our coordination with Genie regional sales also was instrumental; the equipment met Al Majal’s specific technical requirements, and the equipment was able to be delivered within the required lead times to win this high-profile project. Genie’s high-quality and innovative products make for optimal productivity at the safest heights! And MEDCO guarantees the highest machine availability and reliability around the clock.”

The Genie equipment for the site is uniquely suited for the tasks required to be performed, said MEDCO. The S-60 J and S-80 J telescopic boom lifts are lighter than comparable booms in their class, which makes them ideal for work on sensitive surfaces, while the Z-60 DC articulating boom lifts provide up-and-over access for accessing hard-to-reach areas. Because they are electric, the Z-60 DC machines are also noise and emission free, which makes them ideal for indoor use as well.

The Genie GS E-Drive scissor lifts allow Al Majal Al Arabi to work indoors or outdoors, with the low-maintenance electric scissor lifts also being easy to manoeuvre, boosting job-site productivity. With 70 per cent fewer hoses and fittings, the risk of hydraulic leaks also is reduced to near zero, which is particularly important while working at the historic sites.

Sharbel Kordahi, managing director, Terex Equipment Middle East, and sales director, AWP ME, was quoted as saying: “It’s a great honour for Genie to have been chosen to be a supplier of the two holy mosques.”