Genie® Z™-40/23N Articulating Boom WINS Rental Equipment Register 2007 Innovative Product Award

REDMOND, WASH. (Jan. 25, 2008) – Rental Equipment Register (RER) magazine recently awarded Genie Industries a 2007 Innovative Product Award in the lifts category for the Z™-40/23N Articulating Boom. The key innovation of the Z™-40/23N is Genie's new AC drive system. The AC drive system provides quiet, energy-efficient operation and continuous control of drive speed, traction, braking and turning by combining DC batteries with independent inverter/controllers and 3-phase AC drive motors.

Ideal for “up, out and over” applications in tight workspaces, the Genie Z™-40/23N offers contractors a narrow profile of 4 ft 11 in (1.5 m) wide, which allows it to easily fit through standard-sized double doors. With a tight inside turning radius of just 2 ft 11 in (0.61 m), the Z™-40/23N can easily maneuver through tight passageways and congested work areas.

The Z™-40/23N also features Genie’s new AC drive system, combining DC batteries with 3-phase AC drive motors for quiet, more energy-efficient operation and continuous control of drive speed [from 0 - 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h)], traction control,  braking and turning.

“We recognized that this technology, which was pioneered in industrial forklifts, could be adapted to aerial work platforms. It provides many benefits, including better machine control for maximum productivity, and less drain on the batteries for extended life and longer intervals between charging. Genie’s system is fully sealed to protect against dust and water damage,” says Phil Harvey, product manager for the Genie® boom line.

The RER Innovative Product Award was established in 2003 to honor excellence in new product development in the equipment rental industry.

The award will be officially presented during The Rental Show in February 2008 in Las Vegas.