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For close to 100 years now, Altec has been providing equipment and services to the electric-utility, telecommunications and tree care industries. The privately held family company has intentionally been growing its tree care line of products and services over the past several decades. It has been honing and refining its at-height equipment specific to the tree care industry and placing its focus on getting the job done safely, according to Zak Hilliard, market manager with Altec Teupen.

“We’ve been focused on growing the tree care product offering, specifically meeting our customers’ needs when it comes to doing the job safely and efficiently. Emphasizing safety is the primary mechanism by which we’ve grown,” adds Hilliard, who has been with Altec for 15 years and has been market manager for the tree care product for two years.

Altec is a well-recognized name when it comes to reliable at-height products and innovative solutions in product design and integrated safety features. According to the company website, Altec strives “to be the world’s leading solutions partner for every access challenge at a height where practical access ensures workers’ safety is paramount.”

Toward that end, Hilliard says Altec pursued an opportunity to increase its profile in the world of tree care by acquiring German-founded Teupen last year, thereby beefing up its offerings in the growing arena of backyard lifts. He adds that Altec had a successful partnership with Teupen before the acquisition in early 2024. “This marriage of the two companies is raising the bar when it comes to expanding the backyard-lifts market in the U.S. Our excitement is that we’re able to better serve the tree care industry by including this new product line in Altec’s extensive sales, service and parts network for Teupen products.”

Safety first
According to Hilliard, Teupen was the first manufacturer of the backyard lift, and has more than 45 years of experience in this market. The lift manufacturer also has had a presence in the U.S. for nearly 20 years. “Teupen is 100% an Altec product now,” Hilliard notes. “And Altec is working on putting its mark on the Teupen product. All our aerials are now branded ‘Altec Teupen,’ giving former Teupen customers access to a nationwide service-and-support network, with nearly 50 Altec service locations in the U.S. and Canada, plus access to the company’s large Mobile Mechanic fleet and 24/7 technical support.”

Hilliard sees the growing popularity of backyard lifts to be the natural offshoot of several things, including an aging workforce in the world of tree care. “Many owners of smaller tree care companies are getting older and are less inclined to climb,” he says. “They find it physically challenging and don’t want to be put in harm’s way. So it’s (the backyard lift) the safest solution to getting work done in a confined space.” He adds that Altec Teupen backyard lifts – several of which will be on display at TCI EXPO ’25 in St. Louis in November (more on that later) – have the added benefits of being very mobile, versatile and maneuverable.

“These units have the flexibility to get you close to the work,” notes Hilliard. “They are one-person operated and fit through a standard 36-inch gate, with a 42- to 127-foot working height. Additionally, some models are insulated, allowing for added safety and protection when working near power lines.

“Our piggyback units have become very popular,” Hilliard continues. “These small, track-driven machines, when mounted on a piggyback chassis, can get to the job site much like a standard truck-mounted aerial, with the ability to use the aerial from either the truck or on its own, as well as the added benefit that they don’t require a commercial driver’s license. And they’re configurable (for power sources). The standard unit is diesel, but there’s also diesel-electric or fully electric options for working in noise-restricted areas like indoor courtyards.”

All Altec, all the time
Worth noting, Hilliard says, is that Altec does not rely on outside dealers for sales and service, “meaning that our customers are interacting directly with the manufacturer throughout the purchase process and service life of the equipment.”

He adds, “Altec also is able to provide in-house financing, rental options (through Altec Global Rental) and safety training, as well as options for asset disposal through our in-house used-equipment division and in-house auction company.”

Altec Core Values

(in alphabetical order):

• Customer first
• Enjoyment of work
• Family
• Financial stability
• Integrity
• People are our greatest strength
• Quality
• Spiritual development
• Teamwork

A familiar face at TCI EXPO
“We’re excited to be at TCI EXPO again this year,” Hilliard says, adding that he’ll personally be there to greet EXPO-
goers who stop by Altec Booth #1643 and #313D. “We’ll have three backyard models on display, including the TC89AJplus, mounted on a piggyback solution, the TC127AJplus and the TC73AiC premier insulated model. Be sure to stop by and check out this equipment!”

Patricia Chaudoin has been a freelance writer/editor for more than four decades, in areas as disparate as tree care, golf, weddings, luxury travel and international non-profit NGOs. She has been writing for TCI Magazine since 2016.

TCI Magazine’s Corporate Member Spotlight is a paid feature. References to products and services do not represent an endorsement by TCIA. This article is sponsored by Altec. Contact advertising@tcia.org for more information.