The Heavy Tool Tray is a new option developed to address an operational challenge identified by Equans during work at height. Initiated by field teams, this solution was designed and developed by Haulotte, in close collaboration with rental partner Loxam.
In this project, Equans needed a solution for a specific application: crimping electrical cables at height.
This operation involves the regular handling of heavy tools and had, until now, created significant constraints for operators, in terms of safety, productivity, and ergonomics.
A field-driven need: combining heavy tools with work at height
At the origin of this innovation: field feedback from Equans teams, a global leader in multi-technical services across energy, industry, and digital sectors. Operating worldwide, the group brings together around 83,000 employees and generated €18.7 billion in revenue in 2025. Working at height is a core part of its operations.
“Across all our projects and operations, Equans relies on access equipment. This enables us to deliver efficient work while ensuring full safty for our teams,” explains Emmanuel Riot, Category Manager – Equipment Rental at Equans.
However, some operations require the use of particularly heavy tools. “The main difficulty was handling the crimping press during work at height,” explains Jean-Marie René, Health and Safety Prevention Department at Equans. “Until now, the tool was placed in the platform or on improvised supports, with significant impacts on ergonomics, operator fatigue, and safety.”
In response, an Equans team member came up with the idea of a dedicated support, capable of holding a heavy tool directly in the platform basket. The concept was quickly spotted and then rewarded by the Equans internal Innovation Awards 2024. The next step was to turn this idea into a robust, manufacturer-certified solution, that could reliably support field teams over time.
Loxam, a key partner in structuring the need and connecting with Haulotte
To bring the project to life, Equans partnered with rental company Loxam.
“Equans was looking for an aerial work platform equipped with an accessory to mount a crimping head for cable crimping at height,” explains David Gravez, Technical Director at Loxam.
“As a manufacturer, Haulotte was involved from the very beginning of the project. The close collaboration between the three companies, throughout development, enabled us to deliver a solution that perfectly meets the need, while also making it adaptable to other applications, with compatibility across all rough-terrain aerial work platforms,”
adds Laurent Muguet, Options & Accessories Marketing Manager.
The development of the Heavy Tool Tray was structured over a year and a half, based on detailed specifications, prototypes, and iterative design reviews. This approach made it possible to design an option fully integrated into the platform, compliant with regulations, and aligned with real operation constraints.
“By involving the client, the rental company, and the manufacturer from the outset, it is possible to design solutions that truly reflect field requirements,” summarizes David Gravez.
Heavy Tool Tray: safety, ergonomics, and performance for working at height
In its current use case, the Heavy Tool Tray is used for crimping electrical cables. Acting as a compact workstation, it can also support a wide range of other uses.
The benefits are clear:
- Increased productivity: the tool is positioned exactly where needed and remains easily accessible.
- Enhanced safety: the tool is securely held in place, reducing the risk of drops or tipping.
- Improved ergonomics: the support reduces strain, minimizes awkward postures, and helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
“Ensuring stability and eliminating unsafe handling were top priorities,” recalls Jean-Marie René.
“Ease of use and quick setup directly improve both safety and operational efficiency,” confirms Emmanuel Riot.
A successful full-scale trial in Dunkirk
The Heavy Tool Tray was tested near Dunkirk, on the Flandre Maritime jobsite. This project involves building a new electrical substation for RTE, France’s electricity transmission system operator, to support decarbonization and reindustrialization in the Dunkirk region by 2030.
“This site brought together all the typical challenges: working at height, a wide variety of cabling, and multiple teams operating simultaneously,” explains Jean-Marie René.
Feedback from field teams confirmed the relevance of the solution, both in terms of safety and user comfort. Loxam subsequently placed an order for the option to ensure its availability across its fleet.
Collaborative innovation at the heart of product development
Beyond the product itself, this project illustrates the strength of collaborative innovation.
“The client defines the need, the rental partner acts as a facilitator thanks to its broad understanding of usage,
and the manufacturer delivers a certified and reliable solution,” concludes David Gravez.
“Our ongoing exchanges allowed us to fully grasp field challenges and develop a practical solution to improve everyday operations. I am very proud to have contributed to its development and already eager to co-create new accessories together,” says Ludivine Béraud, Marketing Manager Europe at Haulotte.
The result of this close collaboration, Equans, Loxam, and Haulotte are driving lasting improvements in safety, ergonomics, and jobsite performance with the Heavy Tool Tray; today for cable crimping, tomorrow for many other work-at-height operations.